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World History. Chapter 2 – Egypt. Geographical Facts - Egypt. No Nile, no crops Surrounded by natural boundaries (Right is Syrian Desert, Left is Libyan Desert, North is Med. Sea, South is thick jungles & wild rivers) Had long periods of peace Had abundant raw mat’s (gold, copper, stone)
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World History Chapter 2 – Egypt
Geographical Facts - Egypt • No Nile, no crops • Surrounded by natural boundaries (Right is Syrian Desert, Left is Libyan Desert, North is Med. Sea, South is thick jungles & wild rivers) • Had long periods of peace • Had abundant raw mat’s (gold, copper, stone) • Climate – dry and healthy
The Old Kingdom - Egypt • In 3100 B.C. a Ruler named Menes united all of Egypt • Thus began “The Old Kingdom” of Egyptian Civilization • Rulers took the title Pharaoh (means “House of the Ruler”) • They were above ordinary citizens • They were thought to be able to control floods • Many discoveries in science – including pyramids • Menes founded dynasty which is a family of rulers that is hereditary • 2 main groups: Upper and lower class (upper included pharaoh, nobles, priests, officials) and (lower included everyone else)
…Continued • Pharaoh’s power declined; noble families rival pharaoh • This destroyed the Old Kingdom and 100 years of anarchy followed • 2000 B.C. – the kingdom was reunited
The Middle Kingdom - Egypt • Cultural life and economics revived • Trading began with Kingdom of Kush • Central authority weakened and invaders (Hyksos) controlled for 100 years • In 1670, the Hyksos were driven out and the New Kingdom era began
The New Kingdom • Religion was emphasized (worshipped animals) • Mummifying and tombs • Statues of ½ man ½ animals • Belief in afterlife • Used hieroglyphics (pictures used to express words) on tombs • Heaven had same earthly pleasures – happiness ensued
..Continued • Pharaoh had Divine Kingship – he owned all land • No written law codes • Collected rent and taxes • Improved science and developed a system of math • 365 day year based on sun • Studied anatomy, surgery • War of Liberation vsHyksos made Egypt more militarized • Grew an army and bureaucracy • Increased power of priests • Creation of empires ended isolation • Moved towards monotheism (one god)
Monotheism • Pharaoh Akhenaton was a monotheist • Name meant “Son of Aton” who was a god • He built a new capital city and named it Akhenaton • People were killed if they didn’t worship just Aton • Didn’t work – priests rebelled
Empires grow… • The Hittites seized Syria • Egypt began being attacked after Akhenaton died • Egypt abandoned the empire idea and it was never a dominate state again • Hittite Empire grew (made 1st Iron weapons) • Hurrian Empire in Northern Mesopotamia grew • Kassite Empire took over southern Mesopotamia • They would all collapse to invaders around 1200 B.C. (the power vacuum begins) and much smaller kingdoms would arise such as…
The Phoenicians • Israel founded in 1000 B.C. • Also, the Phoenician Kingdom was founded who were ancestors of the Canaanites • Phoenicians built city-states (Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, and Beirut) • Used coastal states as sea farming expeditions • Had ships to trade with other civilizations never before reached • Set up trade bases (Carthage) • Set up a 29 symbol alphabet to help with record keeping • This language is the basis for many modern languages including English
Assyrian Empire • By 900 B.C. the power vacuum ended and the Assyrian Empire took over • Militaristic; used terror to keep people in check • In 626 B.C. an alliance was formed between Medes from Iran and Chaldeans from Babylon and wiped out the Assyrians • A new empire grew…
Babylon and Persian Empires • Babylon reached its peak under Nebuchadnezzar • Famous hanging gardens and large ziggurats covered with leaves and vines • Weakened by a Civil War • Taken over by the Persians • Cyrus the Great (a Persian) took over Babylon, Egypt, and all the way to India • Political Unity for 200 years • Divided into provinces and districts ruled by governors • Built a “Pony Express” – a system of roads all leading to the capital • Great communication; mild rulers; allowed self rule; tolerated all religions
Persian Religion • Believed they were controlled by 2 forces (one good – AhuraMazada = the symbol of fire) and (one bad – Ahrimar = darkness always in constant struggle) • Humans forced to choose; winner would always be Ahura • On the day of judgment, the followers of Ahura would go to heaven and Ahrimar followers were tortured • Insisted on good ethical behavior • Persia unified the world into a huge state
Led by pharaohs and priests Worshipped animals Polytheistic; belief in afterlife Afterlife only for good people Monotheistic – called “Yahweh” Purpose of life is to obey God Monotheistic Obey the law, atone for sins Good versus Evil Rulers must please gods Gloomy Afterlife Polytheistic