Ancient Egypt and

Nubia Name________________ MOD______

The Geography of the Nile

Nubia –An ancient region in the Nile River Valley on the site

of present day Southern Egypt and Northern Sudan

Cataract – A large waterfall. Any strong rush or flood of waterDelta – A plain at the mouth of a river, formed when

sediment is deposited by water.Silt – Fine soil found in river bottoms

1. How did the Nile River affect the lives of the early Egyptians and Nubians?

The Nile river affected the lives of everyone who lived near it. The season to plant, harvest and prepare was determined by the flooding seasons. Early Egyptians depended on the Nile for everyday life

2. If the Nile did not flood regularly, how might life along the river been different in ancient times?

If the Nile river did not flood, life in Egypt would not be possible.

3. What kinds of goods passed through Nubia on their way to Egypt?

Things such as copper, gold and exotic animals passed through Nubia on their way to Egypt

The Rulers of Egypt

• Pharaoh –

The supreme ruler regarded as a god in ancient Egypt

• Dynasty –

A ruling family in ancient Egypt

• Absolute Power –

To rule with no checks and balances

• Regent –

A person who rules temporarily in the place of someone who is incapable to rule

1. Explain why Egyptian rulers had more authority than most rulers have today?________________________

Egyptian rulers had the authority of a god king. They ruled with absolute power

2. What characteristics did all three kingdoms have in common?____________________________________

All three kingdoms had times of prosperity and hardships. They were all ruled by dynasty

3. Describe some of the accomplishments of each of the three Egyptian kingdoms. _______________________

Old Kingdom - Peace and Trade

Middle Kingdom – Expands -advanced in literature and art

New Kingdom- Queen Hatshepsut rules. Expands into Syria

4. Why do you think the pharaohs of Egypt were so successful for so long? What factors led to the decline of Egypt?____________________________________

They allowed the military to get weak and the Romans invaded

Egyptian Religion

• Afterlife – Life after Death

• Mummy – A dead body preserved in life-like condition• Pyramid – A huge building with four sloping triangle

shaped sides; built as royal tombs in Egypt

• Giza -An ancient Egyptian city, the site of the

great pyramid1. What were the religious beliefs of the

ancient Egyptians?Life after death. The gods and goddesses

provided, protected, and punished the people of ancient Egypt.

2. Why did the Egyptians mummify their dead?

Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead because they believed that the pharaoh would need his body in the afterlife.

3. How do we know that the afterlife was so important to the ancient Egyptians?

We know that the afterlife was important to the ancient Egyptians because they put a lot of attention and wealth into the tombs.

4. Why were the pharaohs concerned about the condition of their tombs?

The pharaoh was concerned about the condition of the tombs, because they believed that they would be returning to the tomb throughout their journey in the afterlife.

Ancient Egyptian Culture

Read pages 89 and 90

• With a partner write a couple of sentences using the following sentence starters…

• I am a slave in ancient Egypt….• I am a Peasant in Ancient Egypt…..• I am a Woman in Ancient

Egypt…….• Be sure to include what your day

would be like, what your responsibility would be, and how you would feel about it

• Hieroglyphics – Pictures and other written symbols that

stand for ideas, things and sounds. • Papyrus –An early form of paper made from a reed

plant found in the marshy areas of the Nile Delta.

• Astronomer –A scientist who studies the stars and other

objects in the sky

1. How were the lives of Egypt’s peasants ruled by the seasons?

The peasants did the farm labor. Farm labor is mostly done in the spring and summer. The work done in the fall would be harvesting. Winter would be the slowest time for the peasants

2. Describe how the Egyptians used hieroglyphics to communicate.

Early Egyptians used a form of writing called hieroglyphics. The symbols looked more like pictures rather than letters. As writing developed the symbols stood for sounds rather than things. Those sounds could be combined to make words.

3. What was the importance of writing in Egyptian society?

Writing was used to keep records, relay information and to record historical events. Usually scribes were assigned to important members of society such as noblemen or a pharaoh

4. How did the learning achievements of the Egyptians affect later civilizations ?

Later civilizations learned and built upon the knowledge of the Egyptians