Pyramids on the Nile

I. The Geography of EgyptA. The gift of the Nile

1. floods brought water2. Nile floods left rich deposits of fertile silt3. irrigation ditches4. worshiped the Nile as a God

B. Environmental Challenges1. Nile was very regular, predictable2. lower than normal floodwaters, reduced fresh silt3. higher than normal floodwaters, led to destruction4. deserts secluded the Egyptians, little interaction

C. Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt1. river travel was common2. higher elevation was Upper Egypt3. delta region, lower Egypt4. water proved to be great travel route

II. Egypt Unites into a Kingdom(King Narmer united Upper and Lower Egypt) (2660-2180 BC Old Kingdom)A. Pharaohs rule as Gods

1. pharaohs were god-kings2. theocracy, government based on religious rule

B. Builders of the pyramids1. tombs more important than palaces (they believed kings ruled

for all of eternity)2. pyramids, resting place after death3. Old Kingdom was great age of pyramid building4. each stone weighed 2 ½ tons, some weighed 15 tons5. 200 millions stones were perfectly stacked up to 481 feet

III. Egyptian CultureA. Religion and Life

1. polytheistic2. Re (sun God), Osiris (God of the dead), Isis (God of mother and wife)3. worshipped more than 2,000 gods4. Anubis, God of the underworld5. Devourer of souls6. bodies were preserved by mummification

IV. Life in Egyptian Society(social hierarchy)A. Egyptian Writing

1. hieroglyphics2. papyrus

B. Egyptian Science and Technology1. calendar- farming, seasons, years and months2. system of writing numbers- counting, math, collect taxes 3. medicine- feel pulses, splint broken bones, some surgery

V. Invaders Control Egypt

A. Old Kingdom died after the decline of strength in pharaohs

B. Middle Kingdom restored law and order, improved trade and transportation

C. Hyksos from Palestine, ruled from 1630-1523 BC

D. New Kingdom rose to power and glory