Ancient Egypt

The Civilization on the Nile

Geography of Ancient Egypt

NILERIVER

Sahara Desert

Mediterranean &

Red Seas

Significance of Nile• Predictable flooding

allowed settlement and the building of a civilization

• Flows North 4,145 mi. from mountains of Central Africa to Mediterranean Sea

• Silt formed from the flooding and crops were grown for subsistence and commercial uses

Use of the Nile

• Living on the delta provided fertile soil

• Protection was secured by the cataracts of the river

• Transportation was convenient through the region by river

• Fish and other resources abundant

Irrigation Systems were quickly developed, beginning with the use of the shadoof

Old Kingdom

• Upper Egypt in southern region of Nile River

• Lower Egypt in northern delta region

Narmer, king of Upper Egypt led his army to take control of Lower Egypt and unite the

civilizations around 3000 B.C.

In about 2600, the Old Kingdom began and lasted for nearly 500 years

Organization of Old Kingdom

Cities

Religion Government Artisans SocialClasses

Characteristics of Old Kingdom

GreatPharaohs

StrongReligious

Beliefs

Preservation(mummies)

GreatPyramids

Plantations owned

by wealthy

Old Kingdom

Gods of Old Kingdom

• God of River – Hapi• Sun God – Re• Harvest God - Osiris

Middle Kingdom

• Government overthrow of the pharaoh• About 2300 BC to around 1786 BC• Began trade with other regions• Fell when invaded by Hyskos who came in

with chariots and weapons made of iron• Middle kingdom’s rule by Hyskos came to

end when Egyptian, Ahmose, rose up and drove them out

New Kingdom• Kingdom grew rich

and extended territory• Pharaohs used

military to push kingdom borders

• Queen Hatshepset and nephew Thutmose extended land into Syria and Palestine

New Kingdom Characteristics

Trade &Expansion

Religious Changes& Worship of Amon-Re

Building of TemplesWith scribes writing in hieroglyphics

Decline of Egypt

• Priests gained too much power and wealth• Power of pharaohs declined• Amenhotep came to power and took

power away from priests– Claimed one god – Aton– People of Egypt did not accept new religion

• King Tut came to power after Amenhotep’s death and went back to old religion

• Egyptian Empire continued to decline due to many factors and taken over by Assyrians in 671 BC

Contributions of Egyptian Empire

Papyrus

Sandals Paper Baskets

Mathematics&

FractionsCalendar

Medicine Irrigation

Rafts & Riverboats