Pyramids on the Nile

Geography of Egypt

• Nile River– Many settlements– Yearly Flood

Geography of Egypt

• Environmental Challenges– More regular than

Mesopotamia– Waters low silt and

crops down starvation

– Waters high Destroyed homes, seeding

Geography of Egypt

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

– Unified villages, promoted trade

King Narmer

• 3000 BC

• United Upper and Lower

• Capital at Memphis

Kingdom of Egypt

• 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

Pyramids

• Ka – eternal life force

• Tombs important

• Pyramid resting place after death

• Supply of stone granite and limestone

• Reflect strength of Egyptian civilization

Religion

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

• Mummification– Canopic jars – brains,

liver, etc.

• Embalming – Salt and baking soda

Social Structure

• Royal Family

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

• Middle Class (Merchants, artisans)

• Lower Class (Farmers, laborers) Slaves

• Women had many rights

Writing

• Hieroglyphics

• Papyrus

Science and Technology

• Calendar

• Numbers Taxes

• Heart rate, splints

Invaders

• Old Kingdom Ends 2180

• Middle Kingdom 2040-1640

• Hyksos rule 1630-1523– From Palestine