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Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt. How did geography influence the development of civilization in Ancient Egypt?. “Egypt is wholly the gift of the Nile” – Greek Historian Herodotus

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Ancient Egypt

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  1. Ancient Egypt

  2. How did geography influence the development of civilization in Ancient Egypt? • “Egypt is wholly the gift of the Nile” – Greek Historian Herodotus • Egyptian civilization depended on the yearly flooding of the Nile river, which brought rich, fertile soil that allowed the people to farm and grow food • Nile floods rich soil farming extra food civilization • People had to cooperate to control the floods, which led to a need for organization and early government to build dikes, ditches, and reservoirs

  3. Uniting Two Regions • Ancient Egypt had 2 regions: • Upper Egypt (in the South, where the Nile started) • Lower Egypt (in the North, at the Nile Delta) • 3100 BC: King Menes of Upper Egypt united the two regions • Founded the first capital at Memphis (near the Delta) • One of the world’s first unified states (instead of just city-states) • Used the Nile as a highway • For officials and armies • For trade with Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean

  4. The History of Egypt • Ancient Egyptian History is divided into 3 main periods: • The Old Kingdom (2575 BC-2130 BC) • The Middle Kingdom (1938 BC-1630 BC) • The New Kingdom (1539 BC- 1075 BC) • Power passed from one ruling family (dynasty) to another • Land remained united

  5. The Old Kingdom • Egyptian kings (pharoahs) established a strong, centralized state • Pharaohs • Had absolute power • Were seen as gods but also as humans • Were expected to behave morally • Had a chief advisor (vizier) that supervised the government • Various departments were in charge of tax collection, farming, irrigation organization, etc.

  6. Social Structure in the Old Kingdom

  7. The Great Pyramids • During the Old Kingdom, many pharaohs built necropolises (cemeteries) with giant pyramids around Memphis • The pyramids were homes for the dead for them to live for eternity • Dead pharaohs were provided with everything they would need in the afterlife • Their bodies were preserved– mummies! • Pharaohs would begin to build their pyramids as soon as they came to power

  8. The Middle Kingdom • The Old Kingdom collapsed: • Power struggles • Crop failures • Expensive pyramid-building • Finally, more than 100 years later, new pharaohs reunited the land and the “Middle Kingdom” started • Not as strong as the Old Kingdom • Nile didn’t flood as regularly • Corruption and rebellions were common • 1700 BC: Hyksos people invaded and took over the government for 100 years • Egypt and Hyksos shared technology and ideas

  9. The New Kingdom • New Egyptian leaders took power again from the Hyksos • Egyptian Pharaohs created a large empire that stretched all the way to Syria and the Euphrates River • First female ruler during this time– Hatshepsut • Later, Egypt went to war with the Hittites under Ramses II. They eventually signed a peace treaty (the first known one in history) • After 1100 BC, Egyptian power declined as Assyrians and Persians conquered the Nile region. Finally, the Greeks took control…and then the Romans. The end.

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