Ancient Egypt, an ancient civilization of North Africa, had started its own civilization, starting circa 3150 BCE, about 5160 years ago from now(2010).

Ancient Egypt was one of an ancient civilization, located in North Eastern Africa. This civilization was formed on the side of the Nile river. Many people think of pyramids, mummies, hieroglyphics and deserts. This picture, on the background of this slide, is a picture of the Great Pyramids of Giza and these are one of the biggest pyramids in Egypt.

Pharaohs were the leaders in Ancient Egypt. Pharaohs were believed to be Gods and were very powerful.

Noble Family and Religious Leavers

Pharaoh

Artists and CraftsmenMerchants

Farmers

Slaves

The very earliest Egyptian houses were made out of wooden posts and bundles of reeds. Later, after when Egypt was unified by its first Pharaoh, people started to live in mud-brick houses. From then on everyone whether they were rich or poor lived in mud brick houses. However, the Pharaohs’ palaces were luxurious and gigantic, but very poor people’s houses were very cramped.

Pharaohs were the absolute leader of the country and wielded complete control of the land and its goods. Viziers, who were religious leaders, controlled the resources of ancient Egypt. Therefore, the temples supported the economy, since they stored all the nation’s tax and resources.

Ancient Egyptians always had enough food, thanks to the Nile River, that flooded every year, therefore providing fertile soil for farmers. Ancient Egyptians cultivated emmer, barley and several other cereal grains. These grains were used to make two main food, which were bread and beer. Furthermore, food from animals were also eaten.

Everyone in the Ancient Egyptian families had roles. Mothers were required to take care of the children, whereas fathers provided the family’s income. Children didn’t really have to do anything until they were 12. However, children from the noble family and the royal family, had to study a lot.

The Ancient Egyptian thought women and men were equal, except for the slaves. Kings had several wives, but most men only had one. Men married when they were about twenty, but girls married when they were about fourteen years old. People’s husbands and wives were chosen for them by their parents. Mostly, someone from the same background, or the same family were chosen.

A couple’s marriage was only legitimate w if the financial arrangements are settled. A husband gave his wife and allowance to live on and run the household. However, both husband and wife could own property, separately.

Unlike, many other ancient civilizations, Ancient Egyptians respected children. Of course, not as much as the modern world, but they still valued children’s joy. Children under the age of 12, wore no clothes at this age the males had their heads shaved and were circumcised. Mothers were in charge of taking care of the kids, while the father makes the income.

Canada’s children have more respect and value even though ancient Egyptian children were respected too.

In Canada both mother and father look after children, and they both make income. In ancient Egypt only the father makes income and only the mother looks after the kids.

Unlike ancient Egypt kids under 12 were clothes and the boys don’t need to shave their or circumcised their heads.

Some children attended a vocational school, while other people attended a village school, they learned math, reading, writing, manners and sports.

Boys who are attending village schools left to enter their fathers profession when they turned 14.

Boys of a higher status continued studying past 14 at houses of instruction, which were allied with temples, the palace, the army or the treasury. The boys there trained for higher level jobs, and the specific job was predetermined by his father’s job.

Girls learned from their mother how to be a wife and a mother. Those wanting a career were limited to being a dancer, baker, weaver, or entertainer. Only noblemen’s daughters would read and write.

The Egyptians had as many as 2000 gods and goddesses. Each city had a temple built for the god of that city. The purpose of the temple was to be a cosmic center by which men had communication with the gods. The priests duty was to care for the gods and attend to their needs. The priests had many duties such as funeral rites, teaching school, supervising the artists and works, and advising people on problems. The entire civilization of Ancient Egypt was based on religion, and their beliefs were important to them. Their belief in the rebirth after death became their driving force behind their funeral practices.

Re is the ancient Egyptian sun god. To the Egyptians, the sun represented light, warmth, and growth. This made the sun very important and the sun was seen as the ruler of all that he created. The sun disk was either seen as the body or eye of Re. In one of his many forms, Re has the head of a falcon and the sun-disk of Wadjet resting on his head. Each day, Re was reborn and began a journey across the sky. His temple was named ‘Heliopolis.’

In ancient Egypt flax was used a lot. Wool was known, but considered impure as animal fibres were considered taboo, and could only be used for coats. Lower class people wore only loincloths that was common to all. Shoes were the same for both women and men, sandals braided with leather, or, particularly the high or priestly classes, papyrus. Certain clothing was common to both men and women such as the tunic and the robe. Around 1425 to 1405 BCE, a light tunic or short-sleeved shirt was popular, as well as a pleated skirt. Wigs were used by both male and female of the upper class. Made of real hair, they contained other decorative elements. In the court, the more elegant examples had small goblets at the top filled with perfume. Heads were shaven, perhaps to avoid lice.

Music – As guests arrived, and throughout the meal, musicians played on harps, lyres, flutes, pipes and drums/ After the meal, singers and dancers performed.

Ancient Egyptians adored having fun, just like people these days. This can be specified by their tombs, which show scenes of banquets, making merry and leisure pursuits, such as hunting. These pictures were engraved so that the dead person will have a good afterlife, but they show the Egyptians knew how to enjoy themselves, before their death.

Ancient Egyptian civilization was located near the Nile River and south of the Mediterranean sea and was united, circa 3150 BC. Ancient Egypt was one of the most important civilization in the world, that influenced our world, scientifically and logically.

"Ancient Egypt." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 08 June 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_egypt>.

The Usborne Book of the Ancient World. Tulsa, OK: EDC Pub., 1991. Print.

Ancient Egypt for Dummies. Kent Spencer Sr., OK: JYP Publication., 1999. Print.

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