EGYPTEGYPT

Land of the PharaohsLand of the Pharaohs

The Nile – The Source of LifeThe Nile – The Source of Life

Nomadic peoples Nomadic peoples settled near the settled near the banks of the Nile banks of the Nile River in Africa.River in Africa.

Like the Tigris and Like the Tigris and Euphrates, the Nile Euphrates, the Nile flooded and left the flooded and left the flooded farm lands flooded farm lands covered with rich silt.covered with rich silt.

The people of the The people of the Nile River valley Nile River valley developed a system developed a system of writing by 3000 of writing by 3000 B.C.E. – B.C.E. – HIEROGLYPHICSHIEROGLYPHICS

The Egyptians The Egyptians learned how to make learned how to make a form of paper from a form of paper from the papyrus plant.the papyrus plant.

The ability to read the The ability to read the hieroglyphics of the hieroglyphics of the Egyptians was lost Egyptians was lost after the fall of Rome in after the fall of Rome in the early centuries C.E.the early centuries C.E.

It was not until the It was not until the 1820s when French 1820s when French linguist Jean Francois linguist Jean Francois CHAMPOLLION used CHAMPOLLION used the ROSETTA STONE to the ROSETTA STONE to decipher Egyptian decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics.hieroglyphics.

Rosetta StoneRosetta Stone

Early Egyptian city Early Egyptian city states developed states developed along the Nile.along the Nile.

The region was The region was divided into:divided into: Upper EgyptUpper Egypt Lower Egypt – near Lower Egypt – near

the Nile DELTAthe Nile DELTA

These city-states These city-states were unified by the were unified by the king – PHARAOH – king – PHARAOH – Menes ca. 3200 Menes ca. 3200 B.C.E.B.C.E.

Upper and Lower Upper and Lower Egypt became one Egypt became one kingdom.kingdom.

ca. 2650 B.C.E – 2180 B.C.E.ca. 2650 B.C.E – 2180 B.C.E.

Ancient Egyptian Ancient Egyptian history is divided history is divided into:into:

Old Kingdom – the Old Kingdom – the land was ruled by the land was ruled by the pharaohs who were pharaohs who were thought to be gods thought to be gods on earth. Royal on earth. Royal families – DYNASTY – families – DYNASTY – ruled from generation ruled from generation to generation.to generation.

ca. 2040 B.C.E. – 1760 B.C.E.ca. 2040 B.C.E. – 1760 B.C.E.

The Middle KingdomThe Middle Kingdom This period saw the This period saw the

dramatic growth of dramatic growth of Egyptian culture, art Egyptian culture, art and architecture.and architecture.

Literature also Literature also flourishedflourished

The Middle Kingdom The Middle Kingdom ended when nobles, ended when nobles, priests, and invaders priests, and invaders fought for power.fought for power.

Ancient Egyptian Society and CultureAncient Egyptian Society and Culture

The Nile was the The Nile was the source of all life in source of all life in Egypt.Egypt.

Water from the Nile Water from the Nile was diverted into was diverted into irrigation ditches irrigation ditches for farmingfor farming WheatWheat BarleyBarley FlaxFlax

Surplus grain was Surplus grain was sold throughout sold throughout the Mediterranean the Mediterranean Sea and into Africa Sea and into Africa and Asiaand Asia

Egypt grew well Egypt grew well known, rich and known, rich and powerfulpowerful

The Pyramids – Tombs for the DeadThe Pyramids – Tombs for the Dead

Imhotep – the Great Pyramid Imhotep – the Great Pyramid BuilderBuilder

The SphinxThe Sphinx

Egypt prospered in Egypt prospered in large part because large part because of its:of its:

advanced advanced education education

BureaucracyBureaucracy LiteracyLiteracy

Egyptian Religion - RaEgyptian Religion - Ra

Man with hawk head Man with hawk head and headdress with a and headdress with a sun disk sun disk

Ra was the sun god. Ra was the sun god. He was the most He was the most important god of the important god of the ancient Egyptians.ancient Egyptians. The ancient Egyptians The ancient Egyptians believed that Ra was believed that Ra was swallowed every night swallowed every night by the sky goddess Nut, by the sky goddess Nut, and was reborn every and was reborn every morning. morning.

OsirisOsiris A mummified man wearing a A mummified man wearing a

white cone-like headdress with white cone-like headdress with feathers feathers

Osiris was the god of the Osiris was the god of the dead, and ruler of the dead, and ruler of the underworld.. Osiris was the Osiris was the brother/husband of Isis, and brother/husband of Isis, and the brother of Nepthys and the brother of Nepthys and Seth. He was also the father of Seth. He was also the father of Horus. Horus.

As well as being a god of the As well as being a god of the dead, Osiris was a god of dead, Osiris was a god of resurrection and fertility. In and fertility. In fact, the ancient Egyptians fact, the ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris gave them believed that Osiris gave them the gift of barley, one of their the gift of barley, one of their most important crops. most important crops.

SethSeth Man with the head of a 'Seth Man with the head of a 'Seth

animal' (unidentifiable) animal' (unidentifiable)

Seth was the god of Seth was the god of chaos.. Seth represented everything Seth represented everything that threatened harmony in that threatened harmony in Egypt.Egypt.

He was the brother of Osiris He was the brother of Osiris and Isis, as well as the and Isis, as well as the brother/husband of Nepthys. brother/husband of Nepthys. He murdered his brother He murdered his brother Osiris, then battled with his Osiris, then battled with his nephew Horus to be the ruler nephew Horus to be the ruler of the living. of the living.

At certain times in the history At certain times in the history of ancient Egypt, Seth was of ancient Egypt, Seth was associated with royalty. associated with royalty.

IsisIsis Woman with headdress in Woman with headdress in

the shape of a throne the shape of a throne A pair of cow horns with a A pair of cow horns with a

sun disk sun disk

Isis was a protective Isis was a protective goddess. She used goddess. She used powerful magic spells powerful magic spells to help people in need.to help people in need. Isis was the wife of Osiris Isis was the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus. and the mother of Horus.

Since each pharaoh was Since each pharaoh was considered the 'living considered the 'living Horus', Isis was very Horus', Isis was very important. important.

AnubisAnubis Man with a jackal head Man with a jackal head A jackal A jackal

Anubis was the god of Anubis was the god of embalming and the dead. and the dead. Since Since jackals were often seen in jackals were often seen in cemeteries, the ancient Egyptians cemeteries, the ancient Egyptians believed that Anubis watched believed that Anubis watched over the dead.over the dead.

Anubis was the god who helped to Anubis was the god who helped to embalm Osiris after he was killed embalm Osiris after he was killed by Seth. Thus, Anubis was the god by Seth. Thus, Anubis was the god who watched over the process of who watched over the process of mummifying people when they mummifying people when they died. died.

Priests often wore a mask of Priests often wore a mask of Anubis during mummification Anubis during mummification ceremonies. ceremonies.

HorusHorus The ancient Egyptians had The ancient Egyptians had

many different beliefs about many different beliefs about the god Horus. One of the the god Horus. One of the most common beliefs was that most common beliefs was that Horus was the son of Isis and Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris. Osiris.

After Osiris was murdered by After Osiris was murdered by his brother Seth, Horus fought his brother Seth, Horus fought with Seth for the throne of with Seth for the throne of Egypt. Egypt.

In this battle, Horus lost one of In this battle, Horus lost one of his eyes. The eye was restored his eyes. The eye was restored to him and it became a symbol to him and it became a symbol of protection for the ancient of protection for the ancient Egyptians. After this battle, Egyptians. After this battle, Horus was chosen to be the Horus was chosen to be the ruler of the world of the living. ruler of the world of the living.

The Eye of HorusThe Eye of Horus

Sun-Resurrection-Sun-Resurrection-MummificationMummification

The Invasion of the HyksosThe Invasion of the Hyksos A Semitic people known as the Hyksos A Semitic people known as the Hyksos

moved into the Nile Delta ca. 1700 B.C.E.moved into the Nile Delta ca. 1700 B.C.E. The Hyksos brought with them knowledge The Hyksos brought with them knowledge

of bronze weapons and the horse drawn of bronze weapons and the horse drawn chariot.chariot.

By 1650 B.C.E. the Hyksos had overthrown By 1650 B.C.E. the Hyksos had overthrown the Egyptian pharaoh and established the Egyptian pharaoh and established themselves as pharaohs over Egypt.themselves as pharaohs over Egypt.

The Hyksos never were able to rule all of The Hyksos never were able to rule all of EgyptEgypt

The Middle Egypt was ruled by Egyptians The Middle Egypt was ruled by Egyptians who paid TRIBUTE to the Hyksoswho paid TRIBUTE to the Hyksos

Upper Egypt was controlled by the people Upper Egypt was controlled by the people of Nubia – who often fought the Hyksosof Nubia – who often fought the Hyksos

Eventually, the Egyptians under the Eventually, the Egyptians under the leadership of pharaoh AHMOSE rose up and leadership of pharaoh AHMOSE rose up and expelled the Hyksos ca. 1570 B.C.E.expelled the Hyksos ca. 1570 B.C.E.

The New KingdomThe New Kingdom

With the Hyksos With the Hyksos gone – the Egyptians gone – the Egyptians rebuilt their kingdom rebuilt their kingdom and sought to and sought to expand their power expand their power beyond the Nile River beyond the Nile River Valley.Valley.

The period of the The period of the New Kingdom saw New Kingdom saw pharonic Egypt at its pharonic Egypt at its zenith.zenith.

Hatshepsut – the Female PharaohHatshepsut – the Female Pharaoh

When the pharaoh When the pharaoh THUTMOSE II died – his THUTMOSE II died – his sister and wife sister and wife HATSHEPSUT assumed HATSHEPSUT assumed power because the heir – power because the heir – Thuthmose III was too Thuthmose III was too young.young.

Hatshepsut expanded the Hatshepsut expanded the power and trade of Egypt.power and trade of Egypt.

After her death, After her death, Thuthmose III tried to Thuthmose III tried to erase her name from erase her name from history – denying her an history – denying her an after-life.after-life.

Akhenaton – Religious Revolution and Akhenaton – Religious Revolution and UpheavalUpheaval

Ca. 1380 B.C.E. – the Ca. 1380 B.C.E. – the new pharaoh new pharaoh AMENHOTEP IV AMENHOTEP IV changed Egyptian changed Egyptian religion.religion.

He stated that there He stated that there was only one god – the was only one god – the sun god – ATONsun god – ATON

He even changed his He even changed his name to AKHENATON – name to AKHENATON – “pleasing to Aton”“pleasing to Aton”

The rule of the The rule of the pharaohs and the pharaohs and the strength of Egyptian strength of Egyptian society and culture society and culture was the complex was the complex Egyptian religion.Egyptian religion.

When Akhenaton When Akhenaton overthrew the gods overthrew the gods and their priests – and their priests – Egypt was in chaos.Egypt was in chaos.

Akhenaton’s Akhenaton’s successor – the boy successor – the boy king Tutankhaten king Tutankhaten restored the old restored the old religion and the religion and the power of the priests.power of the priests.

He renamed himself He renamed himself - TUTANKHAMEN- TUTANKHAMEN

Over time, the New Over time, the New Kingdom came Kingdom came under attack under attack

The Hittites – Indo-The Hittites – Indo-Europeans from Europeans from Asia MinorAsia Minor

The Hittites were The Hittites were masters of iron – masters of iron – tools and weaponstools and weapons

““Sea Peoples” Sea Peoples” attacked the Nile attacked the Nile Delta and ruined Delta and ruined Egyptian sea trade.Egyptian sea trade.

Libyans from the Libyans from the west also attacked west also attacked – weakening the – weakening the power of the power of the pharaohs.pharaohs.

The Nubian DynastyThe Nubian Dynasty

The people of Nubia – the The people of Nubia – the Kingdom of Kush – began Kingdom of Kush – began to take more and more to take more and more control of southern control of southern Egypt.Egypt.

By 730 B.C.E – the By 730 B.C.E – the Nubian Dynasty took Nubian Dynasty took control of all of Egypt.control of all of Egypt.

By 671 B.C.E, however, By 671 B.C.E, however, even the Nubians were even the Nubians were defeated by new defeated by new invaders – retreating to invaders – retreating to Kush.Kush.

Egypt was ruined by invaders and Egypt was ruined by invaders and internal weakness.internal weakness.

ca. 500 B.C.E. the Persians took ca. 500 B.C.E. the Persians took control of the Nile River Valleycontrol of the Nile River Valley

ca. 323 B.C.E – the young Greek king ca. 323 B.C.E – the young Greek king – Alexander the Great – conquered – Alexander the Great – conquered Egypt and made it part of his vast Egypt and made it part of his vast empire.empire.

Kush-AxumKush-Axum

      The Aksumites were a people formed The Aksumites were a people formed from the mix of Kushitic speaking people from the mix of Kushitic speaking people in Ethiopia and Semitic speaking people in Ethiopia and Semitic speaking people in southern Arabia who settled the in southern Arabia who settled the territory across the Red Sea around 500 territory across the Red Sea around 500 BC. The Aksumites lived in the Ethiopian BC. The Aksumites lived in the Ethiopian highlands near the Red Sea, and so highlands near the Red Sea, and so enjoyed a strategic position in the trade enjoyed a strategic position in the trade routes between Yemen (in the south of routes between Yemen (in the south of the Arabian peninsula) and the cities of the Arabian peninsula) and the cities of Nubia. They spoke a strongly Semitic Nubia. They spoke a strongly Semitic language and wrote in Semitic language and wrote in Semitic characters; Ethiopia, in fact, has one of characters; Ethiopia, in fact, has one of the longest continuous literate traditions the longest continuous literate traditions in Africa. in Africa.   We know very little about the early   We know very little about the early Axumite kingdom. Roman and Greek Axumite kingdom. Roman and Greek sources indicate that an Axumite sources indicate that an Axumite kingdom was thriving in the first century kingdom was thriving in the first century AD; the city of Adulis is frequently AD; the city of Adulis is frequently mentioned because it had become one mentioned because it had become one of the most important port cities in of the most important port cities in Africa. Africa. . .

    Aksum lay dead in the path of the growing commercial trade routes between Africa, Aksum lay dead in the path of the growing commercial trade routes between Africa, Arabia, and India. As a result, it became fabulously wealthy and its major cities, Adulis, Arabia, and India. As a result, it became fabulously wealthy and its major cities, Adulis, Aksum, and Matara, became three of the most important cosmopolitan centers in the Aksum, and Matara, became three of the most important cosmopolitan centers in the ancient world. Although they were off the beaten path as far as European history is ancient world. Although they were off the beaten path as far as European history is concerned, they were just as cosmopolitan and culturally important in that they served concerned, they were just as cosmopolitan and culturally important in that they served as a crossroads to a variety of cultures: Egyptian, Sudanic, Arabic, Middle Eastern, and as a crossroads to a variety of cultures: Egyptian, Sudanic, Arabic, Middle Eastern, and Indian. Perhaps an indication of this cosmopolitan character can be found in the fact that Indian. Perhaps an indication of this cosmopolitan character can be found in the fact that the major Aksumite cities had Jewish, Nubian, Christian, and even Buddhist minorities. the major Aksumite cities had Jewish, Nubian, Christian, and even Buddhist minorities.    In the second century AD, Aksum acquired tribute states on the Arabian Peninsula    In the second century AD, Aksum acquired tribute states on the Arabian Peninsula across the Red Sea, conquered northern Ethiopia, and then finally conquered Kush. The across the Red Sea, conquered northern Ethiopia, and then finally conquered Kush. The downfall of the Nubian powers led to the meteoric rise of Aksumite imperial power. The downfall of the Nubian powers led to the meteoric rise of Aksumite imperial power. The Aksumites controlled one of the most important trade routes in the world and occupied Aksumites controlled one of the most important trade routes in the world and occupied one of the most fertile regions in the world. one of the most fertile regions in the world.    The Aksumite religion was actually derived from Arabic religion. It was a polytheistic    The Aksumite religion was actually derived from Arabic religion. It was a polytheistic religion which believed that the gods controlled the natural forces of the universe. religion which believed that the gods controlled the natural forces of the universe. However, in the fourth century, Ezana, who was a folllower of Axumite religion, However, in the fourth century, Ezana, who was a folllower of Axumite religion, converted to Christianity under the tutelage of a Syrian bishop named Frumentius. Ezana converted to Christianity under the tutelage of a Syrian bishop named Frumentius. Ezana declared Axum to be a Christian state , thus making it the first Christian state in the declared Axum to be a Christian state , thus making it the first Christian state in the history of the world, and began actively converting the population to Christianity. history of the world, and began actively converting the population to Christianity.

      Ethiopian Christianity was slightly different from its Greek origins. Ethiopian Christianity was slightly different from its Greek origins. Under the influence of Egyptian Christians, the Axumites believed Under the influence of Egyptian Christians, the Axumites believed that Christ had a single rather than a double nature (man and god): that Christ had a single rather than a double nature (man and god): this is called this is called MonophysiteMonophysite (mono=single, physis=nature) (mono=single, physis=nature) Christianity and was considered heretical in the European churches. Christianity and was considered heretical in the European churches. In the fifth century AD, the Axumites replaced Greek in the liturgy In the fifth century AD, the Axumites replaced Greek in the liturgy and began using their own native language, Ge'ez. Finally, because and began using their own native language, Ge'ez. Finally, because of their Semitic origins, the Ethiopians believed that they were of their Semitic origins, the Ethiopians believed that they were descendants of the Hebrews, who were also Semitic. They traced descendants of the Hebrews, who were also Semitic. They traced their origins all the way back to David. So the Ethiopians, unlike their origins all the way back to David. So the Ethiopians, unlike other Christians, really saw themselves as inheriting the covenants other Christians, really saw themselves as inheriting the covenants that Yahweh entered into with his chosen people (as a side note, that Yahweh entered into with his chosen people (as a side note, the Ethiopic Church claims to have the Ark of the Covenant which is the Ethiopic Church claims to have the Ark of the Covenant which is the chest in which the Decalogue was kept by the Hebrews). the chest in which the Decalogue was kept by the Hebrews).     

      Axum remained a strong empire and trading power until Axum remained a strong empire and trading power until the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD. However, the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD. However, because the Axumites had sheltered Muhammed's first because the Axumites had sheltered Muhammed's first followers, the Muslims never attempted to overthrow Axum followers, the Muslims never attempted to overthrow Axum as they spread across the face of Africa. Even though Axum as they spread across the face of Africa. Even though Axum no longer served as a center or hub of international trade, it no longer served as a center or hub of international trade, it nonetheless enjoyed good relations with all of its Muslim nonetheless enjoyed good relations with all of its Muslim neighbors. Two Christian states north of Axum, Maqurra and neighbors. Two Christian states north of Axum, Maqurra and Alwa, survived until the thirteenth century when they were Alwa, survived until the thirteenth century when they were finally forced by Muslim migration to become Islamic. Axum, finally forced by Muslim migration to become Islamic. Axum, however, remained untouched by the Islamic movements however, remained untouched by the Islamic movements across Africa. Because of this, the Ethiopic (or Abyssinian) across Africa. Because of this, the Ethiopic (or Abyssinian) Church has lasted until the present day. It is still a Church has lasted until the present day. It is still a Monophysite church and its scriptures and liturgy are still in Monophysite church and its scriptures and liturgy are still in Ge'ez. Ge'ez.

African ChristianityAfrican Christianity

Copts – term given to Egyptian Copts – term given to Egyptian Christians – Coptic ChurchChristians – Coptic Church

By the 3By the 3rdrd centuiry C.E. – Coptic centuiry C.E. – Coptic Christians made up a majority of Christians made up a majority of Egyptians.Egyptians.

The Church at Alexandria was the The Church at Alexandria was the oldest in Africa and one of the oldest in Africa and one of the churches of the PENTARCHY.churches of the PENTARCHY.

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo ChurchEthiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church The church in The church in

Ethiopia has many Ethiopia has many similarities to similarities to Judaism – food Judaism – food prohibitions, prohibitions, separation of the separation of the sexes in church, sexes in church, Saturday Sabbath, Saturday Sabbath, and removal of and removal of shoes in church – shoes in church – similar to Muslims.similar to Muslims.