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An Overview of Ancient Egyptian Civilization and Its Rich Heritage

Ancient Egypt, known as the "gift of the Nile," thrived along the world's longest river, the Nile. The civilization progressed through three major periods: the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom, marked by monumental achievements like the building of pyramids and advancements in writing and technology. Polytheistic beliefs shaped society, with a strong focus on the afterlife leading to practices like mummification. Notable figures, including Queen Hatshepsut and Ramses II, expanded trade and military power. Rich in culture, art, and architectural marvels, ancient Egypt's legacy continues to influence the world today.

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An Overview of Ancient Egyptian Civilization and Its Rich Heritage

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  1. Chapter 2

  2. Egypt is in Africa

  3. Nile River – Longest River in the world • Egyptian civilization called “The gift of the Nile” • Old Kingdom (2575 BC – 2130 BC) • Middle Kingdom (1938 BC – 1630 BC) • New Kingdom (1539 BC – 1075 BC)

  4. Egypt’s Advantages • Flooding - annual • Provided reliable system of transportation • The desert surrounding the Nile acted as natural barriers • Shut out invaders • Spared the constant warfare that plagued the Fertile Crescent

  5. The Old Kingdom • Menes: united Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt • Established world’s first unified state • Pharaohs were Kings and Gods • Eternal life • Built Pyramids filled with amenities for the afterlife

  6. Believed in an afterlife • Anubis • God and guide of the • underworld • Weigh the heart of the dead • To win eternal life, heart had • to be light • No sin • Royal and elite were mummified • Embalming and drying the corpse to prevent decay • Built tombs: Filled with items for the afterlife • Book of the Dead: hymns, payers and magic spells to guide the soul in the afterlife

  7. Pyramids

  8. Mummification • Take out all organs, tissue, with a hook - Sew back up! • http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/mummies/home.html

  9. Egyptian Culture • Polytheistic • Ra: Sun God • Osiris: God of the dead • Isis: Ideal mother goddess

  10. Life in Egyptian Society • Class System • Not locked in • Highest positions for those who could read and write • Priests and nobles at the top • Wealthy merchants • Artisans • Peasant farmers (the majority) • Slaves • Writing system: Hieroglyphics (pictographic) • Pictures stood for an idea • In time, pictures stood for sounds • Papyrus: Reeds that were pressed together to create a paper-like sheet • Rosetta Stone: Found in 1799, message in three languages • Allowed scholars and historians to decipher hieroglyphics

  11. Technology • Developed a calendar based on Sirius (a star) • Star that would appear above eastern horizon before the Nile flooded • Was fairly accurate • Used geometry for surveys and engineering • Set broken bones (medical) • Building of the pyramids (mathematics and engineering)

  12. Extension of the Empire • Queen Hatshepsut – First Woman Pharaoh • In power for 20 years • Egyptian trade flourished • Ramses II (or Ramses the Great) – Ruled for around 66 years • Helped fight against the Hittite invaders (peace treaty signed) • Expanded Egypt’s borders • Oversaw construction projects and monuments • Four Giant status of himself (worshiped himself as a God) • Reigned for 67 years (died about 90 years old)

  13. Abu Simbel

  14. Other civilizations • Mesopotamia (part of fertile crescent) Sumerians • Ur – earliest city • Geographic location = crossroads • Sargon (ruler of Akkad) conquered Sumer in 2300 BC • First empire known to history • Hammurabi (King of Babylon) too over Mesopotamia • Code of Hammurabi (Eye for an eye) • First laws in history • Phoenicians created alphabet • Persians improved trade by use of coins

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