CHAPTER 2 THE NILE VALLEY, OLD KINGDOM, THE EGYPTIAN EMPIRE, AND KUSH.

Ancient Egypt

Discussion Question

How did natural protection help Egypt?

The Nile Valley pages 38-46

Settling the Nile The Nile River is

the longest in the world, 4,ooo miles long.

Egyptians used the Nile to drink, clean, farm, cook and eat fish.

The Nile Valley pages 38-46

The northern end of the valley is a fertile area of land called a delta

The Sahara lies west of the Nile Valley and the Eastern Desert lies to the east.

The Nile Valley pages 38-46 Egypt has several natural borders to

protect it. 1. deserts 2. rapids of the Nile (cataracts) 3. marshes in the delta These borders kept many enemies

from entering Egypt.

The Nile Valley pages 38-46 The

Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east allowed trade with other people.

Within Egypt, people travel the Nile to trade with one other.

The Nile Valley pages 38-46

How did natural protection help Egypt?

The Nile Valley pages 38-46

The River People The floods along the Nile were

predictable and not devastating. Each spring the flood would leave a dark, fertile mud along the banks.

Farmers used the soil left behind to grow wheat, barley, and flax seeds. They learned about irrigation to help use the flood water.

The Nile Valley pages 38-46 Papyrus, a reed plant that grew along

the Nile, was used to make baskets, sandals, and river rafts. Later, it was used to make paper.

There system of writing was called hieroglyphics. System of symbols.

Some Egyptian men learned to read and write. They attended schools to learn to be scribes

Discussion Question

Why might scribes be important to Egyptian civilization?

Rulers and other people of power needed scribes to keep records.

The Nile Valley pages 38-46

A United Egypt Narmer, also known as Menes, united

Lower and Upper Egypt. He ruled from the city of Memphis. His family formed a dynasty.

Ancient Egypt was ruled by 31 dynasties that historians have grouped into three time periods – Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom.

Discussion Question

In what ways was ancient Egypt like Mesopotamia?

Both has access to powerful rivers, economies based on farming and trade, government to help the people, artisans to create products, and technological advances.

The Nile Valley pages 38-46

Early Egyptian Life Ancient Egypt had social classes. Highest power- Pharoah Upper class- nobles, priests, and government

officials Middle class- merchants, artisans,

shopkeepers, and scribes. Farmers made up the largest and were in the

lower class. Unskilled workers were the lowest class of

people in ancient Egypt.

The Nile Valley pages 38-46 Men were the head of the household, but

women had more rights in ancient Egypt than in other ancient civilization.

Women rights were- Own and pass on property Buy and sell goods Make wills and obtain divorces. Few children went to school. Girls learned

to sew, cook, and run a household. Boys learned farming or a skilled trade.

Discussion Question

How are U.S. children today like children of ancient Egypt? How are they different?

Both can play with toys and games. However, all children are required by law to go to school in the U.S. In ancient Egypt, few children went to school. Also, U.S. girls today can learn farming or a trade skill, and boys can learn to sew and cook.