Ancient Egypt
I. Nile River
A. Longest River in the world
B. Begins south of Egypt and runs north – “Upper to Lower”
C. Ancient Egypt was located along the “Nile
River Valley”
D. The Nile’s
yearly flooding gives Egyptians fertile soil for farming
II. Nile River Valley
A. Nile floods were dependable and gentle – July to October
B. After it receded, it left
behind a layer of dark, fertile mud. Egyptians called this Kemet
or “The Black Land”
C. Egyptians irrigated and surveyed
the land to grow crops and live
D. All life in Egypt is there because of the Nile
River!
III. A United Egypt
A. Egypt is united under Narmer about 3100
B.C.
B. Lower and Upper
Egypt become one united kingdom
C. A united land
of Egypt produces a similar culture for all people living along the Nile River = Egyptians!
IV. Old, Middle and New
Kingdoms
A. Egypt has times when it is united and very
powerful = kingdoms
B. There are three major kingdoms
in ancient Egypt - O, M, N
C. In between, there is usually
a lot of fighting and lack of government
D. Old Kingdom refers to a time
when Egypt first grew and prospered
V. Pharaohs
A. Egyptian kings called Pharaohs
B. Pharaohs headed the government
and made the laws
C. They were considered to be
the son of the Sun God Re
D. Egyptians believed that the
Pharaoh was a god on earth and was treated with the greatest respect
VI. Religion and Mummies
A. Believed in many gods or deities
B. These deities
controlled all human and natural activities
C. Main God was the Sun God Re
D. Egyptians believed in life
after death. Also believed you needed a body for your spirit to make it to the afterlife = mummification!
VII.
Pyramids
A.
Tomb of the Pharaoh during O.K.
B.
Thousands of farmers were paid yearly to construct the pyramids during the flood season
C.
During Middle and New Kingdom,
Pharaohs were buried differently like in the Valley of the Kings
D.
The Great Pyramid built by Pharaoh Khufu – 481 Feet Tall!
VIII. Middle and New Kingdoms
A.
Times of wealth and achievements for ancient Egypt.
B. Egypt grows powerful and
rich through trading and wars. Conquered lands must pay tributes
C.
In between the Middle and New Kingdoms,
the Hyksos attack Egypt and defeat them due to better weapons (bronze and iron).
IX.
Hatshepsut
A.
First women Pharaoh
B.
She improved Egypt’s economy and wealth by trading with other countries – very successful!
C.
Proclaims herself a god to make herself more accepted as Pharaoh
D.
She dresses like a man and wears the traditional pharaoh’s “beard”
X.
Thutmose III
A.
Waited for 21 years to take the throne from Hatshepsut
B.
Involved in many wars in an attempt to make Egypt an empire
C. Egypt reaches its largest
land area during his reign.
D.
Wealth from defeated states comes in through tributes which makes Egypt very rich
XI.
Amenhotep
A.
Practiced monotheism (one God) instead of the traditional Egyptian belief of polytheism (many Gods)
B.
When he died, Egyptians went back to worshipping many gods
C.
Did not properly due his duties as Pharaoh – Egypt loses land, wealth and power
XII.
Ramses II
A.
Excellent Pharaoh - saved Egypt by defeating the invading armies around the borders
B.
Called Ramses the Great!
C.
Built many temples all over Egypt and maintained a huge library
D.
Ruled for 66 years and had over 100 children
XIII. Egypt’s Decline and Fall
A. Egypt is attacked by a group
known as the Sea Peoples and their power declines because they lack the proper weapons to defend themselves
Egypt becomes vulnerable to attack
B.
In future years, Egypt comes under the control of the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great, and the Roman Empire
C.
Much of their culture still remained Egyptian however!
