GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION Centralized government – every aspect

under the control of one person or body, in this case it was the Pharaoh.

The position of Pharaoh was hereditary – passed down through the family

Government and religion were inseparable in ancient Egypt – the Pharoah was the head of government and the divine representative of the gods on earth.

Polytheistic – belief in many gods Religion and government brought order

to society through: The construction of temples The creation of laws Taxation The organization of labor Trade with neighbors The defense of the country’s

interests.

To reinforce their image as powerful divine rulers, the Pharaohs believed that they were gods on Earth, sent to rule man.

They often depicted themselves as warriors, who single-handedly killed scores of enemies and slaughtered whole prides of lions.

RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY OF THE PHARAOH

CLASS STRUCTURE Ancient Egypt achieved stability

through the co-operation of all levels of the population.

The Pharaoh was at the top of the social hierarchy.

Next to him, the most powerful officers were the Viziers, the executive heads of the bureaucracy – the different levels and areas of a government.

Under them were the priests, followed by royal overseers (administrators) who ensured that the 42 district governors carried out the Pharaoh's orders.

At the bottom of the hierarchy were the scribes, artisans, farmers, and laborers.

CLASS STRUCTURE (CONT’D)

The ancient Egyptians remained very conscious of social classes and barriers between the classes were quite rigid.

Climbing the social ladder was difficult, but it could be achieved through outstanding accomplishments in professions such as that of the scribes and the military.

The Egyptian language was one of the earliest languages to be written down, perhaps only the Sumerian language is older.

WRITING

The word hieroglyphic literally means "sacred carvings.”

Form of pictoral writing

The Egyptians first used hieroglyphs for inscriptions carved or painted on temple walls, but was used on other items such as papyrus, tombs, etc.

Used during the mummification and burial process

Contains approximately 190 chapters of spells to assist the deceased on their voyage to eternity

Texts were originally written on papyrus and placed near the dead

One spell was inscribed on a heart scarab – an amulet placed over the heart either within the mummy's bandages or inside the body

Later, the spells were written on strips of linen that were wrapped around the mummies

THE BOOK OF THE DEAD

Medicine: Egyptian doctors found cures for many diseases

and some of their concepts are still used today. They used castor oil as a laxatives Tannic acid from the acadia tree was used to

heal burns Coriander in a tea for stomach illnesses Cummin seeds on aching or arthritic joints and

to calm a cough. They also made and used tools for surgical use

that are similar to the ones that we use today. Calendar:

The year was 365 days long It was divided into 12 months of 30 days each The months were divided into 3 weeks, which were

10 days long

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

RELATIONSHIP WITH NUBIA KUSH Nubia was located directly south

of Ancient Egypt

Trade partners Traded Egyptian goods such as

food, papyrus, fabric made from flax for Nubian gold

Heavily influenced by Ancient Egyptian culture Blended aspects of their culture

with Ancient Egyptian culture Religious and funeral

practices Worshipped many of the

same gods Performed many of the

same funeral practices Pyramids