Chapter 2, Section 2

“Pyramids on the Nile”

The Geography of Egypt

Egypt’s settlements arose along the Nile on a narrow strip of land made fertile by the river.Yearly flooding of the Nile left rich fertile soil.The deserts surrounding Egypt kept Egypt isolated from invaders.

                       

Egypt as a Kingdom

Pharaohs were kings who were considered gods.Theocracy – rule based on religious authority.The pharaoh was at the center of Egypt’s religion and government.

The Pyramids

Egyptians believed a pharaoh’s soul existed even after his death.The pyramids were built to house the pharaoh’s soul after death.

The Pyramids, continued

Of interest [don’t write down] – the Great Pyramids at Giza were perfectly engineered with giant stones which weighed between 2.5 & 15 tons. Each pyramid contained more than 2 million stones stacked to a height of 481 feet, covering more than 13 acres.

Egyptian Religion

Egyptian religion was polytheistic.Re – sun godOsiris – god of the deadIsis – goddess who represented ideal mother and wifeEgyptians worshiped more than 2,000 gods and goddesses and built pyramids to honor each.

Egyptian Afterlife

Egyptians believed that their souls would be judged after death.A good heart would get eternal life in the beautiful Other World.Pyramids and mummification were made to prepare the soul for the journey in the afterlife.

Egyptian Writing

Egyptians wrote using a picture-type writing called hieroglyphics.Egyptians wrote on an early form of paper called papyrus.

                                     

Invaders in Egypt

Egyptian prosperity and independence ended with the invasion of the Hyksos, who ruled Egypt from 1630-1523 B.C.