Chapter 2Sections 3 &4

Kingdom on the Nile

& Egyptian

Civilizations

Sec 3: Kingdom on the Nile Geography Helps Shape Egypt

Note that Egypt was settled between water systems and desert…both served as a protection from invaders.

Ancient Egypt had two distinct regions, Upper Egypt in the south and Lower Egypt in the north.

Until, King Menses untied both regions and used the Nile to trade with others from surrounding areas.

The old kingdom Forms*Pharaohs were Egyptian Kings with complete power.

The Egyptians believed the pharaohs were their god. *At the start of their reigns, the

pharaohs began building their tombs. These tombs were located within the pyramids.

The turbulent middle kingdom*Issues during Middle Kingdom*The Nile did not rise regularly*Corruption*Rebellions

*Hyksos were invaders that took over the Nile Delta. The Egyptians were impressed by their chariots and the Hyksos adopted aspects of their civilization.

New kingdom Egypt grows strong*Hatshepsut: 1st female ruler

(encouraged trade)

*Thutmose III: Military general that extended Egypt’s borders

*Ramses II: Extended the borders north. There were many battles fought with the

Hittites until a peace treaty was agreed upon.

New kingdom Egypt grows strong

*After invasions by the Assyrians and Persians, Egypt’s dominance began to crumble. The Greeks and then the

Romans wanted to control the fertile Nile Valley. The Egyptian dynasties were complete.

Sec 4: Egyptian Civilization

Religion Shapes life in Ancient Egypt* During the Old Kingdom, Egyptians

worshipped a sun god, Re. In the Middle Kingdom, they believed Re to be with Amon. Amon-Re, was the great lord of the gods.

* Osiris: God of the dead & God of the Nile

* Isis: Goddess of Health, Marriage, &

Love

Egyptians organize their society

Women in Egypt * They worked outside the home

as well. They could manufacture good, manage estates, be doctors, and they could be priests.

* However, they could not have government jobs and few learned to read or write.

* Nobles, Government Officials: Served the Pharaoh

* Scribes & Artisans: Provided needs to the rich and powerful

* Peasants: Built tombs, pyramids, served the pharaoh, worked in the fields.

* Hieroglyphics: System in which symbols or pictures represent objects, concepts or sounds.

* Hieratic and Demotic script was a more simple version in a cursive form.

* Papyrus: Plant from the banks of the Nile.

Egyptians make advances in learning

* Rosetta Stone: Hieroglyphics, Demotic Script, and Greek

* It has the same passage written in all three. It was then that people were able to read hieroglyphics, and understand the records left from Ancient Egypt.

Egyptians make advances in learning

Egyptians make advances in learning

* Doctors * Performed surgical operations and

used many spices and medicines still in use today.

* Anise* Castor Beans (Castor Oil)* Saffron

* Astrology* Developed a 12 month calendar- 30

days a month* A modified version is what we use

today.

* Engineers* Used geometry to calculate the size

of each stone to create the pyramids.

Egyptians develop Arts and Literature

* Egyptian Art* Wall Paintings, Carvings,

Sculptures* Many show Pharaohs as

larger than life* Many show the side profile * Human bodies with animal

head

* Egyptian Literature* Hymns, Prayers to gods,

Proverbs, and love poems* Accounts of battle victories and

even advice writings existed.