Nile River …

1. Nile River … Egypt

2. 2.2: Pyramids on the Nile Using mathematical knowledge and engineering skills, Egyptiansbuild magnificent monuments to honor dead rulers.

3. 2.2: Pyramids on the Nile A. The Geography of Egypt 1. Egypt’s Settlements • Arise along the 4,100-mile Nile River on narrow strip of fertile land 2. The Gift of the Nile • Yearly flooding brings water and fertile black mud — silt • Farmers build irrigation system for wheat and barley crops • Egyptian’s worship Nile as a god

4. continued The Geography of Egypt • 3. Environmental Challenges • • Light floods reduce crops, cause starvation • • Heavy floods destroyproperty; • Desertsisolate and protect Egyptians 4. Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt: • River area south of First Cataract is elevated, becomes Upper Egypt • Cataract—where boulders turn Nile River into churning rapids • River area north, including Nile delta, becomes Lower Egypt • Delta— land formed by silt deposits at mouth of river; triangular

7. B. Egypt Unites into a Kingdom 1. King NarmerCreates Egyptian Dynasty • Villages of Egypt ruled by 2 kingdoms — Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt • King Narmerunites them around 3000 B.C.; makes Memphiscapital • Establishes 1st Egyptian dynasty 2. Pharaohs Rule as Gods • To the Egyptians, kings are gods; Egyptian god kings called pharaohs • Pharaohscontrol religion, government, army, well-being of kingdom • Government based on religious authority — theocracy

8. continued Egypt Unites into a Kingdom 3. Builders of the Pyramids • Kings believed to rule even after death; have eternal life force, ka • Build elaborate tombs, pyramids, to meet needs after death • Pyramidsmade with blocks of stone, 2-15 tons each; 481 ft. high • Kingdom had leadership, government; economically strong

9. ka The Ka was the Egyptian concept of vital essence, that which distinguishes the difference between a living and a dead person, with death occurring when the ka left the body. ka was sustained through food and drink. For this reason food and drink offerings were presented to the dead, although it was the kau within the offerings that was consumed, not the physical aspect. The ka was often represented in Egyptian iconography as a second image of the king, leading earlier works to attempt to translate ka as double.

10. C. Egyptian Culture 1. Religion and Life • Egyptians believe in 2,000 gods & goddesses — polytheistic • Reis sun god, Osiris, god of the dead; goddess Isisis ideal woman • Believe in life after death; person judged by deeds at death • Develop mummification, process that prevents body from decaying • Book of the Dead contains prayers and spells, guides soul after death

11. D. Life in Egyptian Society 1. Social Classes • Society shaped like pyramid, from Pharaohdown to farmers, laborers • Few people at tophave great power; most people at bottom • People move into higher social classes through marriageor merit • Women have many of the same rights as men Those who could read & write held important positions! Very top = pharaoh People of wealth who owned large amounts of land, the priests, gov’t members, & army Middle Class = merchants & people who worked in crafts; Bottom = peasants Eventually = slaves = bottom

12. Egyptian women have many of the same rights as men

13. D. Life in Egyptian Society 2. Egyptian Writing • In hieroglyphicswriting system, pictures represent ideas • Paper-like sheets made from papyrus reeds used for writing

14. continued Life in Egyptian Society 3. Egyptian Science and Technology • Egyptians invent calendarof 365 days and 12 months • Develop system of written numbers and a form of geometry • Skilled engineersand architectsconstruct palaces, pyramids • Egyptian medicinefamous in the ancient world

15. E. Invaders Control Egypt 1. Changes to Egyptian Society • Power of Pharaohs declines about 2180 B.C.; end of Old Kingdom • In Middle Kingdom (2040 to 1640 B.C.), some pharaohs regain control • Improve trade, dig canal from Nile to Red Sea, drain swamps for farms • Hyksosmove into Egypt from Palestine; rule from 1630 to 1523 B.C.