Kingdom on the Nile Chapter 2 Geography Surrounded

Kingdom on the Nile Chapter 2

Geography �Surrounded by desert which protected from invasion. �Limited where people could settle. �Nile river becomes very important. � “Black Land” – 10 miles across � “Red Land” – Everywhere else � Farmers grow Flax which is used for clothing �Steady yearly flooding � Built dikes and ditches to trap water and store it during the dry season. � Major irrigation systems were a similarity between Egypt and Mesopotamia to help citizens.

Two Regions �Upper Egypt � Further south �Lower Egypt � Further north where the Nile becomes a delta. �Two united under king Menes � 3100 BC

Old Kingdom �Land of Egypt generally remained united even with change of kings (later called pharaohs). �Strong central government � Used a bureaucracy- system of government that includes departments and levels of authority. �Built the pyramids � Surround city of Memphis (first capital of Egypt) � Present day Giza � Tombs �Show belief in afterlife

Middle Kingdom �Turbulent time � Irregularity with Nile not rising as regularly. � Corruption and rebellions � Foreign invaders Hyksos

New Kingdom �Most powerful during this time period �Strong rulers � First female- Hatshepsut �Encouraged trade across Africa and Mediterranean � Thutmose III �Stepson of Hatshepsut �Stretched Egypt’s borders � Ramses II �One of most well-known �Stretched borders as far as Syria �Decline was result of invaders over time. � Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

Religion �Polytheistic � Re- Sun God � Osiris & Isis- Husband wife according to mythology �Osiris- God of the Nile and first taught women to care about children. �After-life � Similar to Heaven and Hell � Sinners eaten by crocodile-shaped Eater of Death � Worthy souls lived forever in Happy Field of Food � Mummification- preparing dead for afterlife � Famous King Tut

Society �Most were farmers �Women generally had it better than women elsewhere. � Could inherit property, enter into business deals, buy and sell goods, go to court, and obtain a divorce. � Still could NOT participate in government though. � Generally had different roles but were not confined to the home. �Hierarchy � Pharaoh � government official � Scribe � peasant

Learning �Hieroglyphics � Hieratic writing � Rosetta Stone �Stone with writing deciphered by Jean Champollion in 1800 s. �Science and Mathematics � Astronomy � Mathematics developed because of need to calculate flooding. � Health �performed surgical operations

Arts and Literature �Statues �Wall paintings �Temple carvings �Depicted everyday life, trade, farming, family life, or religious ceremonies. �Literature included hymns, prayers, proverbs, and love poems.