Ancient Egypt3100 BC- AD 350

Geography of the Nile River Valley

Israel

Sahara Desert

Upper Egypt

Lower Egypt

Mediterranean Sea

Red Sea

Nile River

GizaCairo

481 feet

755 feet

Great Pyramid

http://www.world-mysteries.com/mpl_2.htm

Great Pyramid The last remaining “Ancient Wonder”

Covers 13.6 acres of land

Size: 481 feet high and 755 feet long on the base

Built around 2589 BC (3,800 years old)

It has enough stones to build a wall 10 feet high and one foot thick all around

France

The Great Pyramid can hold Westminster Palace and St.Peter’s

Basilica in Rome

Each stone weighs 2 ½ tons (5,000 pounds)

2 million stones were used to build the Great Pyramid totaling a 10 billion pound pyramid

                                             

                           

Great Sphinx

200 feet long

65 feet tall

Half-lion and half-human statue

- 13 stars above the eagle, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in ANNUIT COEPTIS, 13 letters in E PLURIBUS UNUM , 13 bars on the shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, 13 arrows

- The separated cap of the pyramid, portraying the all-seeing eye, symbolizes that the United States is still far from finished.

- The pyramid is a symbol that represents strength and durability because of its ability to stand the test of time.

Egyptian society was based around the occupation of farming

Papyrus- an early form of paper made from a reed found in the marshy area of the Nile Delta

Egyptians were the first known civilization to create social classes

Farmers were very important in the every day life for Egypt. They planted crops and built temples and buildings

Women had as many rights as men!

Vast knowledge on astronomy, mathematics, and medicine

Daily Life

Egyptian WritingHieroglyphics- a type of writing system using symbols

Rosetta Stone- a black stone that was used to decode hieroglyphics in 1820

Hieroglyphics

Demotic

Greek

Egyptian RulersPharaoh- Title used by the kings of Egypt

Dynasty- a series of rulers from the same family or ethnic group

-Ancient Egypt had a total of 31 dynasties

3 Major Kingdoms

Old Kingdom- (2686-2181 B.C.) Focus was on peace and trade. Pyramid building took place.

Middle Kingdom- (1991-1786 B.C.) Focus was on creating buildings and improving irrigation projects

New Kingdom- (1550-1070 B.C.) Height of Egypt’s Power. Creation of a strong army, temples, and tombs

Mummification Process

-Place the body in the tomb

-Place the body in salt

-Pull the brain out with a hook

-Remove all vital organs except for the heart

-Soak body in oil and coat with resin

-Stuff the body with linen

-Wrap the body in linen

1. Pull the brain out with a hook

2. Remove all vital organs except for the heart

3. Place the body in salt

4. Stuff the body with linen

5. Soak body in oil and coat with resin

6. Wrap the body in linen

7. Place the body in the tomb

Famous Egyptian RulersKing Tutankhamen (Tut)- Became ruler of Egypt as a child.

At about age 18 he died and was buried with many precious objects.

What makes King Tut so famous?

• FIRST and ONLY tomb ever discovered where the main chamber was untouched.

• Discovered in 1922 by American Howard Carter

• Many value Tut’s tomb at around $650 MILLION !!!Hatshepsut-A rare female pharaoh who was a supreme ruler of Egypt for 15 years. Egypt experienced a time of great peace and economic success while under her rule.

Hatshepsut’s Temple

Golden Mask of King Tut

Egyptian Religion

Gods and goddesses were central to the lives of Egyptians. They built temples to honor their gods, and offered them food,

gifts, and prayers.Main gods:

Ra (Re)- Sun god

Amon-Re- chief god who protected the rich and the poor

Osiris- god of the living and dead

Isis- a goddess who protected children

Horus- son of Osiris and Isis, he was the sky god

ObeliskSymbolized the sun god Ra

Famous Egyptian Rulers RecapMenes- First Pharaoh that united lower and upper Egypt

Djoser- Built the first step pyramid

Snefru- Built the first traditional pyramid- The Red Pyramid

Khufu- Ordered the building of the Great Pyramid

Hatshepsut- Female Pharaoh that brought peace and prosperity

Thutmose III- Pharaoh when Egypt held its largest empire

Amenhotep IV- Radical pharaoh that moved the capital city, proclaimed new gods, and drove Egypt into bankruptcy

King Tut- A pharaoh that had the only tomb go untouched

Seti- Built a magnificent underground tomb

Cleopatra VII- Last pharaoh of Egypt