Ancient Egypt

A Map of Ancient EgyptA Map of Ancient Egypt

I. Stability A. Nile river - dependable, predictable

1. Upper Egypt - narrow valley2. Lower Egypt - Delta plain 3. Referred to as the “Bringer of all

Good”.B. Strong Government = UnificationC. Long Term Civilization: 31

dynasties (ruling families) covering 2000 years

Menes: Unifier of Upper & Lower Egypt

Menes: Unifier of Upper & Lower Egypt

c. 3050 B. C. E. ?

c. 3050 B. C. E. ?

1. Old, Middle and New Kingdoms - periods of greatest unity and prosperity

a. Old Kingdom (2700-2200 BC)

• The Pyramid Age

• Crop failures, taxes, oppression Pharaohs lost power

• Tomb raiding

Giza Pyramid ComplexGiza Pyramid Complex

b. Middle Kingdom (2050-1652 BC)• Thebes new capital• Pharaohs power revived• Welfare of lower classes• First Bureaucracy:

administrators and officials with regular procedures.

• Joseph• Semite invasion

c. New Kingdom (1567-1085 BC) • Threw out Semites• Series of Pharaohs:

Amenhotep, King Tutd. Between them came the

"intermediate periods" and then the "post-empire" period• Hyksos invaded during this

time. Ruled for 100 years. • Extraordinary long-term

continuity of civilization

Egyptian Social Hierarchy

Egyptian Social Hierarchy

II. Explanation

A. “Where do I fit in????” social classes

1. god-king - power symbolized by pyramids (Old Kingdom)

2. nobility: vizier, chief judge, superintendent of public works

3. priests

4. merchants

5. artisans

6. farmers (who also served in the army)

B. Family relationships: marriage, children. 1. monogamy (for women) 2. importance of family unit 3. relationship of family to production of wealth 4. adultery punishable, (women with noses cut

off) 5. some divorces available

C. Importance of "being in one's place" D. Less emphasis on individual than order and

harmony of the group

E. Religion 1. Importance of nature

a. need for rain, floods, water, sun for agriculture

b. sat skeletons at the table at celebrations: the passing of time, life

2. Polytheistic 3. RE : Chief God of the Sun4. Pharaoh Worship (at times) 5. legal codes

a. anything "unnatural" was therefore wrongb. Social order and values

Hieroglyphics

III. InventionA. Art and Architecture: Stability of styles

1. links between Nature and Humanity (ala Spinx, animal Gods, etc.)

B. MummificationC. Great pyramidsD. 365 Day Calendar and Leap Year E. Organized labor F. Hieroglyphics as an early system of writing G. Sails

Egyptian MummiesEgyptian Mummies

Seti I1291-1278 B.

C. E.

Seti I1291-1278 B.

C. E.Queen Tiye,

wife of Amenhotep II

1210-1200 B. C. E.

Queen Tiye, wife of

Amenhotep II1210-1200 B. C. E.

Ramses II1279-1212 B.

C. E.

Ramses II1279-1212 B.

C. E.

IV. What could make the civilization last so long?

A. Stable government B. Profitable economy C. The NileD. Warring tradition: strength in the

face of other invaders