6 th Grade UBD Unit 3 Egyptian Society

6 th Grade UBD - Unit 3 - Egyptian Society

Preview � Egyptian Dynasties- The Kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt united around 3100 BCE. For most of the next 3, 000 years, this land was ruled by powerful kings called pharaohs. � Calling Rank- Ancient Egyptians ranked members of society based on their status. � Egyptian Religion- Ancient Egyptians were polytheists who believed in many gods. They also believed that the dead lived on in the afterlife.

Reach Into Your Background �Predict what effect power and social class had on the lives of ancient Egyptians? (5 minutes)

Partner Activity �Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Egyptian Dynasties � Historians divide ancient Egypt into three periods: the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. � During these time periods, pharaohs ruled the empire. They passed their power down from one generation to another through ruling dynasties. � Pharaohs waged wars to expand their empires. They built elaborate temples and tombs that still stand throughout Egypt today.

Egyptian Society � Egypt’s first civilizations were small villages. � These villages were scattered along the Nile River. � During those early days, Egypt was not united.

Egyptian Society � Over time, the people of Egypt formed two kingdoms. � Egypt was divided into Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. Around 3100 BCE, the two kingdoms became one.

Pharaohs Unify Egypt � It is believed that the king of Upper Egypt led his forces into Lower Egypt. � This king was Menes. He seized control of Lower Egypt. � Menes succeeded in bringing together all the people living along the Nile into one nation.

Pharaohs Unify Egypt � Menes became Egypt’s first pharaoh, or ruler. � Egyptians believed that Menes, and the pharaohs who followed him, were not just kings. They were gods on Earth.

Key Term Menes- Menes was the first king, or pharaoh, of Egypt. He is credited with unifying Lower and Upper Egypt under one rule.

Key Term Pharaoh- A ruler of ancient Egypt.

Pharaohs Unify Egypt � Pharaohs in ancient Egypt held an incredible amount of power and influence over their subjects. � Their subjects considered them living embodiments of the god Horus.

Key Term Horus- The God of the sky and of the pharaohs.

Pharaohs Unify Egypt � The pharaoh’s power influenced every level of the Egyptian social structure. � Construction and adornment of their tombs and temples became large public-works projects that required countless hours of labor and enormous quantities of resources.

Egypt’s Kingdoms � Historians today divide up Egypt’s ancient times to keep track of the changes. � They use Egypt’s many dynasties as a simple way to divide up its long history.

Key Term Dynasty- A series of rulers in a particular kingdom or empire, and each ruler in the series is said to be a member of the same family.

Egypt’s Kingdoms � Historians group Egypt's history into three main time periods: ▪ The Old Kingdom ▪ The Middle Kingdom ▪ The New Kingdom

Egypt’s Kingdoms � The time before the Old Kingdom is known as the Early Dynastic Period. � During this time, Egypt’s culture was beginning to form. � The Egyptians had not yet built large cities.

Egypt’s Kingdoms � Between each major era were Intermediate Periods. � These periods were times of change and conflict. � No one central power ruled over all of Egypt.

King Khufu – Pyramid Builder � The pharaohs ruled Egypt for 3, 000 years. � Egypt’s most recognizable ancient site was built by one of its earlier pharaohs. � The Great Pyramid at Giza was built by King Khufu.

King Khufu – Pyramid Builder � To build the pyramids ancient Egyptians had to use their advanced knowledge of geometry and architecture. � The ancient Egyptians combined this knowledge with the use of huge amounts of physical labor.

Key Term Pyramid- A large stone structure that is built with a square base and has triangularshaped sides that meet in a point at the top.

Pyramids at Giza Video- Pyramids at Giza

Key Ideas- Calling Rank �The ancient Egyptians believed that pharaohs were gods. �A small group of government officials and priests served the pharaohs. �The majority of Egyptians were farmers. �Enslaved people had the lowest status in ancient Egypt.

Social Classes Video- Social Classes

Social Structure of Ancient Egypt �The pharaoh was the most powerful person in all of Egypt. �However, every person had a role to play in Egyptian society.

Social Structure of Ancient Egypt � Ancient Egyptians were born into a social group. � They usually continued in the same jobs as their parents. � Scientists study the sculptures and paintings that were left behind in ancient cities.

Why It Matters � Every class in the social structure contributed to Egyptian society. � All classes supported the power of the pharaoh. � The pharaoh made decisions about war, building projects, and who would rule next.

Slavery in Ancient Egypt Reading Handout- Slavery in Ancient Egypt

Key Ideas- Egyptian Religion �To prepare for the afterlife, pharaohs order their subjects to build elaborate tombs. They filled the tombs with fine objects. �After death, a pharaoh’s body was carefully mummified, or preserved, by priests. Then it was placed in its tomb.

Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt � The ancient Egyptians held very strong religious beliefs. � For most of their history, they practiced polytheism, or the worship of many gods.

Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt � Anubis: God of the dead. Guided dead souls to the underworld � Isis: Goddess of fertility and motherhood. Wife of Osiris and mother of Horus � Osiris: God of the underworld and resurrection � Horus: God of the sky and of the pharaohs � Seth: God of the desert and violence. Brother of Osiris

Life After Death � Ancient Egyptians believed in the presence of their souls. � Their souls were the part of them that would continue to live in the underworld after their bodies had died.

Life After Death � Most Egyptians wanted to be buried near their relatives and friends. � They also were buried with prized belongings, like jewelry. � They wanted to have these items with them in the afterlife.

Life After Death � Statues, jewelry, and paintings all went into the tomb. � Paintings and carvings on the wall celebrated a pharaoh’s life. � Once a pharaoh died, skilled priests began to preserve the body.

Life After Death � Egyptians from all social classes were mummified to prepare for the afterlife. � However, the process was very expensive. The richest and most powerful could afford the most elaborate burials, while poorer, less powerful Egyptians had simple burials.

The Afterlife Video- The Afterlife

Why It Matters � The ancient Egyptians’ focus on the afterlife is one reason that their culture has been so well preserved. � Builders made secure buildings to house the pharaohs’ bodies after death. Artists and scribes created works to record the past of the pharaohs. � Tomb art, including hieroglyphics, gives historians clues about what happened in ancient Egypt.

Key Term Hieroglyphics. Symbols or pictures that stand for objects, ideas, or sounds.

Independent Activity � What has been the “muddiest” point so far in this lesson? That is, what topic remains the least clear to you? (4 minutes)

Partner Activity �Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)