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Located in North Africa
Large desert regions Very dry climate Nile River Valley
center of civilization
People began settling in villages along the Nile around 5000 BCE
Around 3100 BCE a strong leader united them into a single civilization
Historians divide the dynasties that ruled Egypt into three periods Old Kingdom (2650 to 2150) Middle Kingdom (2055 to
1650) New Kingdom (1550 to 1070)In between these kingdoms and
afterwards Egypt was conquered by other civilizations
Led by a pharaoh (like a king)
Theocratic (people believed pharaoh was god)
Allowed for strong government and massive public projects (e.g. Pyramids) using forced labor
Hieroglyphics (pictographic writing)
Uses pictures/symbols for sounds/words
Developed writing to keep accounts of supplies and manage large projects
Polytheistic (many gods) Pharaoh was a god Sun god was most
important One pharaoh was
monotheistic (tried to reform the whole country, but failed)
Believed in afterlife, judgment day, soul
Mummies were a result of the belief in eternal life
Traded with other countries in Africa, Middle East and around the Mediterranean
Exported gold, wheat, barley, and papyrus
Imported lumber, minerals, spices, and exotic materials (ivory, leopard skins, etc.)
Led to a variety of social classes (see illustration)
USED IN TEMPLES, TOMBS, & PALACES
MASSIVE PUBLIC BUILDINGS (LIMESTONE, GRANITE, SANDSTONEPRIVATE BUILDINGS (SUN-DRIED BRICKS)
Various social classes
Women had some rights (some even became pharaohs) Could own property Receive inheritance
Leisure Activities Music & Dancing Board Games
Recruited from general population, led by royalty
One way for lower classes to advance in society
Armed with bows, arrows, spears, shields (eventually obtained chariots from invaders)
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