Ancient Egypt Geographical Overview Egypt in the northeast

Ancient Egypt

Geographical Overview Egypt in the northeast corner of Africa. The civilization was established near the Nile River, the longest river in the world. Egypt was originally divided into two kingdoms: Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. Little rain fell in the region of Egypt, most of the land was desert The Nile flooded every year, leaving rich silt which was great for farming. Most of the fertile land was located in the Nile River Delta.

Civilization Develops Eventually small villages became a civilization in 3600 BC. They developed an irrigation system that carried water from the Nile. With plenty of food and water, the people thrived. They had natural protection from invaders with the Sahara Desert (largest desert in the world) to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Red Sea to the east. Cataracts = water rapids (blocked invaders)

First Dynasty Many historians consider Menes to be Egypt’s first pharaoh - who started first dynasty. He united upper and lower Egypt for the first time. He combined the crowns from upper and lower Egypt to show his power over the entire kingdom. He created a new capital at the tip of the Nile Delta called Memphis (near today’s Cairo, Egypt). For centuries, Memphis was a political and cultural center.

Major Time Periods of Egypt 1. The Old Kingdom When the pharaohs first built the pyramids 2700 -2200 BC 2. The Middle Kingdom When training and military explorers were sent out to expand Egypt’s boundaries 2050 -1750 BC 3. The New Kingdom Ending with Queen Cleopatra losing her land to Augustus Caesar and Rome 1550 -1050 BC

Pharaoh Pharaoh was believed by the Egyptians to be the supreme ruler chosen by the gods to lead his people. They believed that when a man became a pharaoh, he also became a god. To keep the bloodline of the gods pure, pharaohs often married their sisters, mothers, and cousins. Pharaohs ruled in dynasties- series of rulers from same family. Pharaoh had all power over all other gods and also controlled the land people of Egypt. Ancient Egyptians believed Egypt belonged to the gods and pharaoh had came to earth to manage Egypt for the other gods.

Egyptian Society • • • Political system was based on pharaoh. Egyptian social classes formed as population increased. Pharaoh was at the top of the social classes. Coming next were nobles, governors, scribes, and artisans. More than 80% of Egypt’s population were farmers and labourers, and during the flood season they worked on building projects. * On BACK of notesheet. *