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Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt. “The Gift of the Nile” -Herodotus (Greek historian). Geography. THE NILE Egypt’s settlements arose along narrow strip of land made fertile by the river Yearly flooding, but predictable, unlike Mesopotamia

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Ancient Egypt

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  1. Ancient Egypt “The Gift of the Nile” -Herodotus (Greek historian)

  2. Geography • THE NILE • Egypt’s settlements arose along narrow strip of land made fertile by the river • Yearly flooding, but predictable, unlike Mesopotamia • The Egyptians viewed the universe as regular and orderly; like characteristics of the Nile

  3. Geography • By 4000 BCE, Egypt had 2 large kingdoms • Lower Egypt (in the north) • Upper Egypt (in the south) • Nile provided reliable transportation • Desertson both sides of Nile • - provided natural protection against invaders • - also reduced interaction with other people • Egypt would develop mostly in isolation and had a culture that was quite unique.

  4. Government • 3000 BCE = Narmer(also known as Menes, king of Upper Egypt) attacked Lower Egypt and united the 2 • Capital = Memphis • 1st of the Egyptian dynasties • Egyptian dynasties divided into 3 periods: Old, Middle, New • People saw their kings as gods • Called a theocracy = same person is the political AND religious leader • King gave many responsibilities to a bureaucracy = groups of government officials • King controlled trade & taxes • King supervised building of canals, dams, grain storehouses

  5. Government • Kings known as Pharaohs ruled. • The Pharaohs were considered gods; served both political and religious roles • Believed each pharaoh ruled even after death, because they all possessed the same eternal spirit = ka; • Egyptians built pyramids as burial places for their kings • Great Pyramids in Giza • King’s bodies were mummified for preservation • Death of a pharaoh was thought to be the beginning of his journey back to the land of the gods.

  6. Pyramids as Tombs

  7. Old Kingdom Period OLD KINGDOM - 2660-2180 BCE The Great Pyramids of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), Menkaure (Mycerinus) are built at Giza. Pyramids of Sahure, Neferirkare, Raneferef, Neuserre are built at Abusir.

  8. Old Kingdom Period The pyramids were built mainly in the Old Kingdom Period.

  9. Evolution of aPyramid • Flat topped rectangular tombs: Mastabas • c. 3100B.C • Chambers filled with materials for use in the afterlife

  10. Evolution of a Pyramid • The Step pyramid • c. 2650 B.C • Six-stage pyramid- first public building of stone

  11. Evolution of a Pyramid • The Bent Pyramid • c. 2600 B.C • Features a change in angle halfway up

  12. Evolution of a Pyramid • The Great Pyramid at Giza • c. 2570 B.C • Largest true pyramid!

  13. Interaction • Egypt was more rural than Mesopotamia • There were cities, but since little has been excavated, we don’t know much about them. • Egypt was more concerned about acquiring resources than acquiring territory. • Traded with Levant and Nubia (map) and items of trade included papyrus, grain, and gold and imports of incense, Nubian gold, Lebanese cedar, tropical African ivory, ebony, animals.

  14. Religion • Polytheistic Religion

  15. Religion • Ra, Sun god; Horus, sky god; Isis, goddess of fertility (associated with Nile – mother “giver of life”) • Belief in afterlife • Desiring to make it to the Other World safely, Egyptians of all classes made special preparations for their burials, including mummification– embalming and preserving the corpse to prevent it from decaying. • WILL CONTINUE WITH RELIGION ON MONDAY!

  16. Religion

  17. Religion

  18. Social Order • Upper class = kings, nobles, priests, landowners • Middle class = artisans, scribes, merchants • Lower class (majority of Egyptians) = farmers, poor • There was mobility within classes. • Women had many of the same rights as men, could own property, could seek divorcebut generally were engaged in domestic activities. • Fun fact: Both men and women wore makeup in Egypt. • Slaves existed on a limited scale.

  19. Culture • Two writing systems: • Hieroglyphics and a cursive script. • Wrote on papyrus; used writing for religious and secular literature as well as for record keeping.

  20. Culture • Hieroglyphics • Few people could read or write • Language remained a mystery Until discovery of Rosetta Stone In 1799.

  21. Write your first name! • RULES

  22. Technology and Science • Developed a number system • Used geometry to calculate volume and area • Created a 365-day calendar • Developed medical expertise  used splints, bandages, etc. • Knowledge of chemistry and anatomy was gained through mummification.

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