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“History is more or less bunk.” - Henry Ford

Explore the geography and history of ancient Egypt, from the importance of the Nile River to the construction of pyramids and the rise and fall of different kingdoms. Discover the rich and long-lasting civilization of the ancient world.

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“History is more or less bunk.” - Henry Ford

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  1. “History is more or less bunk.” - Henry Ford Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, two rats could have over one million descendants.

  2. The Kingdom of Egypt Main Idea Egypt was one of the most stable and long-lasting civilizations of the ancient world.

  3. Geography and Early Egypt • The Nile • Most important physical feature in Egypt • 4,000 miles long; flows through the Sahara Desert • Without the Nile’s waters, no one could live there. • Geography of Egypt • The Nile flooded every year • Predictable floodwaters with spring rains • Left rich, black silt • Narrow band of fertile soil became home of Egyptian civilization

  4. Cataracts Delta • Nile provided protection • Flowed through cataractsto the south • Currents and waterfalls made sailing impossible • Egypt’s most fertile soil in Nile Delta • Silt deposits at mouth of river • Red Land unlivable but afforded protection Geographical Features

  5. Two Kingdoms • First farming villages as early as 5000 BC • Northern Kingdom, Lower Egypt • Mild climate; cobra goddess worshipped • Southern Kingdom, Upper Egypt • Warmer climate; prayed to a vulture goddess • Unification • Two kingdoms unified around 3100 BC • Upper Egypt ruler Menes conquered north • Founded capital city of Memphis • Adopted both symbols, the snake and the vulture • First of 31 dynasties

  6. Wadjet: The Cobra goddess

  7. Nekhbet : The Vulture goddess

  8. Menes + Hedjet Upper Deshret Lower =

  9. Question: How did geography affect where the early Egyptians lived? Answer(s): They lived in a narrow strip of fertile land where they could raise crops. It was surrounded by inhospitable desert, which would not easily support life.

  10. The Pyramids Building Pyramids • Largest located near Giza • Built as tombs for rulers • Hollow chamber for burial • Treasures buried with them • Deadly traps within • Design changed to smooth-sided over time • Took great planning and skill • Ordered when kings took the throne • Built from the inside out • Not built by slaves • Peasants required to work one month per year • Professional craftspeople like architects, artists The Old Kingdom Many of the institutions for which the Egyptian civilization is known were created during the period which began around 2650 BC.

  11. The Pharaohs • The head of the government was the king • Became known as pharaoh (“great house”) • Had great power because he was believed to be a god • Egypt a theocracy, a state ruled by religious figures • Egyptian Bureaucracy • Pharaoh could not rule Egypt alone • Aided by bureaucracy, many of whom were pharaoh’s relatives • Most powerful official was the vizier • Hundreds of lesser officials kept Egypt running smoothly

  12. Question: What Egyptian institutions were developed during the Old Kingdom? Answer(s): a government headed by the pharaoh, highly structured bureaucracy

  13. Old Kingdom collapsed around 2100 BC Warfare, economic strife for almost 200 years New dynasty began Middle Kingdom 2055 BC Strong leadership brought stability Trade with surrounding lands encouraged Trade routes not always safe Fortresses built along the Nile The Hyksos invaded, conquered around 1650 BC The Middle Kingdom

  14. Question: How did the Middle Kingdom rise and fall? Answer(s): new dynasty came to power after almost 200 years of chaos; brought stability and economic prosperity; Middle Kingdom fell when Egypt was invaded by the Hyksos, who conquered Lower Egypt

  15. The New Kingdom • Hyksos ruled almost 100 years • Not harsh, but resented • Defeated by nobles from Thebes who became new rulers of Egypt • Securing Egypt • Egypt could not rely on geography for protection • Had to build powerful military • First permanent army • Traditional foot soldiers • Archers and charioteers • Adopted weapons from Hyksos • Created an empire • Egypt to rule beyond Nile Valley • Headed south into Nubia and east into Asia

  16. The Reign of Hatshepsut • Hatshepsut best known for encouraging trade • Only woman pharaoh • Wanted to be treated like any other pharaoh so dressed like a man, statues of her as a man • Monotheism in Egypt • Amenhotep IV, 1353 BC • Worshipped only one god, Aten • Banned worship of all other gods • Built temple to Aten at Akhetaten • The next pharaoh restored worship of traditional gods

  17. Amenhotep IV Tutankhamun’s Father?

  18. Hatshepsut and Family

  19. Amenhotep IV and Family

  20. Temple to Aten at Akhetaten

  21. Ramses the Great • Egypt expanded empire • Fought campaigns in Nubia and Syria • A new foe around 1250 BC: Hittites invaded from Mesopotamia • Confrontation with Hittites • Ramses the Great vs. Hittites = truce signed • Ramses married Hittite princess and conflict ended • Ramses’ rule • Reign marked with extravagant splendor • Built more temples and monuments than other pharaohs; political/artistic achievements

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