Egypt Overview

1. Ancient Egypt: an Overview

3. Three Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt Powerful pharaohs created a large empire that reached the Euphrates River. Hatshepsut encouraged trade. 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. Egyptians built pyramids at Giza. Power struggles, crop failures, and cost of pyramids contributed to the collapse of the Old Kingdom. NEW KINGDOM MIDDLE KINGDOM OLD KINGDOM 1

12. Blue Nile

13. White Nile

14. White & Blue Nile Meet in Sudan

15. Floodplain

20. Great Sahara Desert

22. Facts About the Nile River Greek word Nelios , which means "River Valley" Name Origin Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi Countries Flows Through Mediterranean Sea, off Egypt Mouth Lake Victoria, Uganda (White Nile); Lake Tana, Ethiopia (Blue Nile) 2 Sources 4,184 miles Length

25. Book of the Dead Collection of spells, hymns, and prayers intended to secure a safe passage to the underworld for the deceased

26. Writing Making paper from papyrus

28. Phonograms represent sounds, much as alphabet letters do. Ideograms are signs that represent whole words or concepts.

29. Pyramids

30. The Great Sphinx

31. Mythology Egyptian goddess Isis, tomb painting, ca. 1360 BC.

32. Social Classes HIGH PRIESTS AND PRIESTESSES Served gods and goddesses PHARAOH Earthly leader; considered a god NOBLES Fought pharaoh’s wars MERCHANTS, SCRIBES, AND ARTISANS Made furniture, jewelry, and fabrics for pharaohs and nobles, and provided for other needs PEASANT FARMERS AND SLAVES Worked in the fields and served the pharaoh 2