Pyramids on the Nile

What was the most important geographic feature of Egypt?

• Nile River– Many settlements– Yearly Flood

What were some of the environmental challenges of

Egypt? • Environmental

Challenges– More regular than

Mesopotamia– Waters low - silt and

crops down -starvation

– Waters high - Destroyed homes, seeding

More Geography

• South (Upper Egypt)• North (Lower Egypt)• Nile - Transportation

– Unified villages, promoted trade

King Narmer

• 3000 BC

• United Upper and Lower

• Capital at Memphis

How was the Kingdom run?

• Pharaohs rule as gods

• Egyptians - Kings were gods

• Theocracy - Rule based on religious authority

• Pharaohs cause sun to rise, Nile to flood, crops to grow

What was the purpose of the Pyramids?

• Ka – eternal life force

• Tombs important

• Pyramid - resting place after death

• Supply of stone - granite and limestone

• Reflect strength of Egyptian civilization

What else did they do for their religion?

• Polytheistic – Re (Sun), Osiris (Death), Isis (Women)

• Mummification– Canopic jars – brains,

liver, etc.

• Embalming – Salt and baking soda

What was their social structure?

• Royal Family

• Upper Class (Gov’t officials, priests, military)

• Middle Class (Merchants, artisans)

• Lower Class (Farmers, laborers) - Slaves

• Women had many rights

How did the Egyptians write?

• Hieroglyphics

• Papyrus

Did they have any scientific or mathematic advances?

• Calendar

• Numbers - Taxes

• Heart rate, splints

Why were there breaks in their rule?

• INVADERS

• Old Kingdom Ends 2180

• Middle Kingdom 2040-1640

• Hyksos rule 1630-1523– From Palestine

Standards and Targets• Standard #1 – Apply the skills of historical

analysis and interpretationa. Evaluate the causes and effects of historical events

• Standard #4 – Understand world social historyf. Assess social hierarchies and the conflicts created by class

division

• Standard #5 – Understand world environmental historyd. Analyze how technological and scientific developments have

human productivity, human comfort and the environment