Ancient egypt
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Transcript of Ancient egypt
Ancient Egypt:Ancient Egypt:“The Gift of the Nile”“The Gift of the Nile”
(Herodotus)(Herodotus)
Egyptian Civilization: Egyptian Civilization: Geography as DestinyGeography as Destiny
The NileThe Nile– Flows from South to NorthFlows from South to North
– Predictable annual floodingPredictable annual flooding
Stability and UnityStability and Unity– Protected by deserts on the Protected by deserts on the
east and westeast and west
– Developed in relative Developed in relative isolation into a prosperous isolation into a prosperous and stable kingdomand stable kingdom
Nile River
Sahara Desert
A View of Egypt by Satellite
A View of Egypt by Satellite
The Fertile Nile Valley
The Fertile Nile Valley
The Annual Flooding of the Nile
The Annual Flooding of the Nile
Nile IrrigationNile Irrigation
More Benefits of Nile RiverMore Benefits of Nile River• The river served as a highwayThe river served as a highway
– United villages along the riverUnited villages along the river– Travel was relatively easy on the riverTravel was relatively easy on the river– Currents carried barges downstream to the deltaCurrents carried barges downstream to the delta– Sails used to catch winds to return upstream Sails used to catch winds to return upstream
• Additional benefitsAdditional benefits– River attracted wildlife and provided fish for River attracted wildlife and provided fish for
hunting & sporthunting & sport– Papyrus grew along riverPapyrus grew along river
• Used to make paperUsed to make paper
Bordered on the south, east and west by the Bordered on the south, east and west by the Sahara Desert, and on the north by the sea, ancient Sahara Desert, and on the north by the sea, ancient
Egypt was protected from outside influences.Egypt was protected from outside influences.
Great Sahara DesertGreat Sahara Desert
Ancient Egyptian History
Ancient Egyptian HistoryPeriods Time Frame
Nile Culture Begins
3900 B. C. E.
Archaic 3100 – 2650 B. C. E.
Old Kingdom 2575 – 2134 B. C. E.
Middle Kingdom 2040 – 1640 B. C. E.
New Kingdom 1532 – 1070 B. C. E.
Late Period 750 – 332 B. C. E.
Greek Ptolemaic Era
332 – 30 B. C. E.
Roman Period 30 B. C. E. – 395 C. E.
Menes: Unifier of Upper & Lower Egypt
Menes: Unifier of Upper & Lower EgyptOriginally two kingdoms Originally two kingdoms
developed along the Niledeveloped along the Nile
Lower EgyptLower Egypt– Located along the northern NileLocated along the northern Nile– Good farmlandGood farmland– Access to copper mines in Sinai Access to copper mines in Sinai
PeninsulaPeninsula
Upper EgyptUpper Egypt– Located along the southern NileLocated along the southern Nile– King Menes (~3000 BCE) King Menes (~3000 BCE)
conquered lower Egypt, unifying conquered lower Egypt, unifying the kingdom and establishing the the kingdom and establishing the first dynastyfirst dynasty
– Capital at MemphisCapital at Memphis
Powerful pharaohs created a large empire that reached the Euphrates River.
Hatshepsut encouraged trade.
Tutankhamen: boy-king
Ramses II expanded Egyptian rule to Syria.
Egyptian power declined.
Large drainage project created arable farmland.
Traders had contacts with Middle East and Crete.
Corruption and rebellions were common.
Hyksos invaded and occupied the delta region.
Pharaohs organized a strong central state, were absolute rulers, and were considered gods.
Khufu and others built pyramids at Giza.
Power struggles, crop failures, and cost of pyramids contributed to the collapse of the Old Kingdom.
NEW KINGDOM (1532-1070 BCE)
MIDDLE KINGDOM
(2040-1640 BCE)
OLD KINGDOM(2575-2134 BCE)
Three Kingdoms of Ancient EgyptThree Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt
The Old KingdomThe Old Kingdom(2575-2134 BCE)(2575-2134 BCE)
Pharaohs (Egyptian Kings) Pharaohs (Egyptian Kings) organized a strong central state, organized a strong central state, were absolute rulers, and were were absolute rulers, and were
considered gods.considered gods.
Khufu and others built pyramids at Khufu and others built pyramids at Giza.Giza.
Power struggles, crop failures, and Power struggles, crop failures, and cost of pyramids contributed to cost of pyramids contributed to
the collapse of the Old Kingdom.the collapse of the Old Kingdom.
The Middle KingdomThe Middle Kingdom(2040-1640 BCE)(2040-1640 BCE)
• New capital Thebes in upper (southern) EgyptNew capital Thebes in upper (southern) Egypt
• ~1600 BC ruler became known as the pharaoh~1600 BC ruler became known as the pharaoh– Word “Pharaoh” means “Great House”Word “Pharaoh” means “Great House”
• Came to an end when the Hyksos, a people Came to an end when the Hyksos, a people from western Asia, invaded. The Hyksos had from western Asia, invaded. The Hyksos had Bronze Weapons and Horse Drawn ChariotsBronze Weapons and Horse Drawn Chariots
• The Hyksos ruled Egypt The Hyksos ruled Egypt for 110 yearsfor 110 years
New KingdomNew Kingdom(1532-1070 BCE)(1532-1070 BCE)
• Early female ruler Hatshepsut (1473-1458 BCE)Early female ruler Hatshepsut (1473-1458 BCE)– Had a tomb built as part of a major building projectHad a tomb built as part of a major building project– Succeeded by stepson, Thutmose IIISucceeded by stepson, Thutmose III
• Thutmose established Egypt as an empire, gains wealthThutmose established Egypt as an empire, gains wealth
• Through trade and conquest, Egyptians learned Through trade and conquest, Egyptians learned other ideas and blend cultures (movement)other ideas and blend cultures (movement)
New Kingdom (cont.)New Kingdom (cont.)(1532-1070 BCE)(1532-1070 BCE)
• Amenhotep IV – aka Akhenaten (1353–1335 BCE)Amenhotep IV – aka Akhenaten (1353–1335 BCE)– makes many unsettling changesmakes many unsettling changes– Makes Egyptians monotheisticMakes Egyptians monotheistic
• Aten the sun godAten the sun god– Claims to be equal to AtenClaims to be equal to Aten– Weak ruler, lost part of empireWeak ruler, lost part of empire– Priests & soldiers unhappy w/ changesPriests & soldiers unhappy w/ changes– Egypt returned to old ways after his deathEgypt returned to old ways after his death
• Tutankhamen (1333–1324 BCE)Tutankhamen (1333–1324 BCE)• Ramses II (1290-1224 BCE)Ramses II (1290-1224 BCE)
– Long rule: 66 yearsLong rule: 66 years– Many children (52 sons, plus daughters…)Many children (52 sons, plus daughters…)– Had many temples and tombs builtHad many temples and tombs built– May have been the pharaoh associated with MosesMay have been the pharaoh associated with Moses
Mummy of Ramses II
Tut
Pharaohs organized centralized state
Built enormous tombs, the pyramids
Power struggles, crop failures and cost of pyramids caused collapse
Corrupt government suffered frequent rebellions
Land drained for farming
Hittites invaded and conquered
Pharaohs created a large empire
Traded with lands along eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea
Nubians, then others invaded
Old Middle NewG
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Egyptian Social Hierarchy
Egyptian Social Hierarchy
Some Famous Egyptian Pharaohs
Some Famous Egyptian Pharaohs
Thutmose III
1504-1450 B. C. E.
Thutmose III
1504-1450 B. C. E. Ramses II
1279-1212 B. C. E.
Ramses II1279-1212 B.
C. E.
Tutankhamon
1336-1327 B. C. E.
Tutankhamon
1336-1327 B. C. E.
Egyptian Priestly ClassEgyptian Priestly Class
Egyptian NobilityEgyptian Nobility
Egyptian ScribeEgyptian Scribe
Scenes of Ancient EgyptianDaily Life
Scenes of Ancient EgyptianDaily Life
Women in Egyptian SocietyWomen in Egyptian Society
• Status of WomenStatus of Women– Relatively high status for that time in historyRelatively high status for that time in history– Could buy and sell propertyCould buy and sell property– Could seek divorce (although rare)Could seek divorce (although rare)– Property inherited through female lineProperty inherited through female line– Role of wife & mother importantRole of wife & mother important– Girls did not attend schoolGirls did not attend school– A woman’s status increased A woman’s status increased
when she had childrenwhen she had children– Sometimes women considered property,Sometimes women considered property,
but were treated kindlybut were treated kindly– Queen might rule with pharaohQueen might rule with pharaoh– If pharaoh had more than one wife, the first wife was most If pharaoh had more than one wife, the first wife was most
importantimportant• Her son would be the next pharaohHer son would be the next pharaoh
An Egyptian Woman’s “Must-Haves”
An Egyptian Woman’s “Must-Haves”
PerfumePerfume
WhigsWhigs
MirrorMirror
Ancient Egyptian Housing
Ancient Egyptian HousingMiddle Class
HomesMiddle Class Homes
Peasant Homes
Peasant Homes
Making Ancient Egyptian Beer
Making Ancient Egyptian Beer
Making Ancient Egyptian WineMaking Ancient Egyptian Wine
EducationEducation• Original purpose of schools was Original purpose of schools was
to train prieststo train priests• Subjects taughtSubjects taught
– Reading & writingReading & writing– MathMath– Religious ceremonies & ritualsReligious ceremonies & rituals
• Eventually temple schools Eventually temple schools provided more general educationprovided more general education
• Usually schools attended only by Usually schools attended only by the wealthythe wealthy
• Girls did not attend schoolGirls did not attend school– Taught domestic skills at homeTaught domestic skills at home
• Students took notes on scraps of Students took notes on scraps of pottery - pottery - Papyrus was expensive & Papyrus was expensive & only used by advanced studentsonly used by advanced students
• Strict disciplineStrict discipline
Egyptian Math & Draftsmenship
Egyptian Math & Draftsmenship
11 1010 100100 10001000 10,00010,000 100,000100,000 1,000,0001,000,000
Papyrus PaperPapyrus Paper
Papyrus PlantPapyrus Plant
Hieratic Scroll Piece
Hieratic Scroll Piece
Champollion & the Rosetta Stone
Champollion & the Rosetta Stone
1822- French scholar Jean Chapollion cracked the code of hieroglyphics because he could read Greek
Hieroglyphic
“Cartouche”
Hieroglyphic
“Cartouche”
Hieroglyphics “Alphabet”Hieroglyphics “Alphabet” 24 “letters” + 700 phonetic
symbols 24 “letters” + 700 phonetic
symbols
Egyptian Gods & Goddesses:
“The Sacred ‘Trinity’”
Egyptian Gods & Goddesses:
“The Sacred ‘Trinity’”
Osiris Isis Horus Osiris Isis Horus
The Circle of LifeThe Circle of LifeOsirisOsiris
– God of the underworld God of the underworld – Judges the deadJudges the dead– Rise & fall of the Nile believed to Rise & fall of the Nile believed to
be the death & rebirth of Osirisbe the death & rebirth of OsirisSetSet
– God of chaos (desert) who killed God of chaos (desert) who killed Osiris Osiris
– Believed to cause failed harvestBelieved to cause failed harvestIsisIsis
– Wife of OsirisWife of Osiris– Brought Osiris back to lifeBrought Osiris back to life
• First mummyFirst mummy
– Nile floods and brings reneweNile floods and brings renewed d lifelife
Religion and GovernmentReligion and Government• About 2,000 gods in About 2,000 gods in
the Egyptian pantheonthe Egyptian pantheon• All powerful kings were All powerful kings were
believed to be human believed to be human incarnations of godsincarnations of gods
• Only the king could Only the king could express the ultimate express the ultimate truth and justice, or truth and justice, or ma’atma’at
Preparations for the Underworld
Preparations for the Underworld
Priests protected your KA, or soul-spirit
Priests protected your KA, or soul-spirit
ANUBIS weighs the dead person’s heart against a feather.
ANUBIS weighs the dead person’s heart against a feather.
Preparation for the Afterlife
Preparation for the Afterlife
Journey to the Underworld
Journey to the Underworld
A boat for the journey is
provided for a dead pharaoh
in his tomb.
A boat for the journey is
provided for a dead pharaoh
in his tomb.
The dead travel on the “Solar Bark.”
The dead travel on the “Solar Bark.”
Egyptian Book of the Dead
Egyptian Book of the Dead
The Final JudgementThe Final Judgement
Anubis Horus Osiris Anubis Horus Osiris
Shabtis: The Pharaoh’s Servants
in the Afterlife
Shabtis: The Pharaoh’s Servants
in the Afterlife
Stepped Pyramid at Saqqara
Stepped Pyramid at Saqqara
“Bent” Pyramid of King Sneferu
“Bent” Pyramid of King Sneferu
Giza Pyramid ComplexGiza Pyramid Complex
Plan of the Great Pyramid of Khufu
Plan of the Great Pyramid of Khufu
The Valley of the KingsThe Valley of the Kings
Archaeologist, Howard Carter (1922)
Archaeologist, Howard Carter (1922)
Entrance to King “Tut’s” Tomb
Entrance to King “Tut’s” Tomb
King Tutankhamon’s Death Mask
King Tutankhamon’s Death Mask
1336-1327 B. C. E.
1336-1327 B. C. E.
King TutankhamonKing Tutankhamon
King Tutankhamun’s Tomb
King Tutankhamun’s Tomb
Treasures From Tut’s Tomb
Treasures From Tut’s Tomb
The Valley of the Queens
The Valley of the Queens
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
1473-1458 B. C. E.
1473-1458 B. C. E.
Ankhenaton: First Monotheist?
Ankhenaton: First Monotheist?
1353-1335 B. C. E.
1353-1335 B. C. E.
The Ankh – The “Cross” of LifeThe Ankh – The “Cross” of Life
QueenNefertiti
(Wife of Ankhenaton)
QueenNefertiti
(Wife of Ankhenaton)
Abu Simbel:Monument to Ramses II
Abu Simbel:Monument to Ramses II
1279-1213 B. C. E.
1279-1213 B. C. E.
Routes of the “Sea Peoples”
Routes of the “Sea Peoples”
The end of the Bronze Age!The end of the Bronze Age!
Comparison of Mesopotamia Comparison of Mesopotamia and Egyptand Egypt
Mesopotamia Egypt
Agriculture +“Land between the rivers” (Tigris and Euphrates forms Fertile Crescent
+Artificial irrigation
+”Gift of the Nile”
+Artificial irrigation
Specialization +Pottery, textiles, woodworking, leather, brick making, stonecutting, masonry
+Pottery, textiles, woodworking, leather production, stonecutting, masonry
Cities -Numerous, densely populated city-states (Ur and Babylon)
-Fewer cities with high centralization (Memphis and Thebes)
Social Hierarchy -Noble class
-Patriarchal
+Slaves
-Absolute authority of the pharaoh made a noble class unnecessary (had bureaucrats instead)
-Patriarchal, but the presence of Queen Hatsheput may indicate greater opportunities for women
+Slaves
Comparison of Mesopotamia Comparison of Mesopotamia and Egypt (cont.)and Egypt (cont.)
Mesopotamia Egypt
Religion and Education -Polytheism
-afterlife was bad
-Polytheism, but brief period of monotheism under Akhentan
-Afterlife and judgment - could be good or bad (mummification)
New Technologies -Superior in metallurgy -Papyrus, shipbuilding, pyramids
Economic exchange -Trade by land and water -Trade principally by water along the Nile
-Trade more important because Egypt lacked natural resources beside the Nile
Art and Writing -Cuneiform -Hieroglyphs (more pictorial than cuneiform)