Transcript Egypt - Home | Mr. J. Ralph

Egypt
Egypt’s
Success
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THE NILE was considered the SOUL as it was the source of
life and path to immortality
Egyptians lived on Eastern side but buried on Western side
River was symbol of passage of one life to next (eternity)
Creation story began in swirling waters of the Nile when god
Horus gave power to Pharaohs
Ancient Egypt: Stability
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Ancient Egypt
lasted for 3500
years due to
factors in:
Geography
Politics
Social structure
Education
Economy
Religion
= Stability was goal
and change slow
and cautious
History
Egypt was one of the longest lasting dynasties of the ancient time. It held
many great accomplishments, including the pyramids. The biggest of which
was built by King Khufu. It arose shortly after the decline of Mesopotamia
State Division
Egypt was divided into many different parts. First the north from the south, then the north
was divided into the east and the west. But these were more what we consider “The
maritimes” or “Out West” here in Canada. Egypt was divided into 42 smaller cities or
regions with what were called nodes.
Geography: Populated Areas
There were three main areas that were populated
in Egypt:
1. The Nile Valley
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sole source of water for Egypt
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Predictable flooding provided rich fertile soil
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Both revered and feared (too much flooding or
droughts)
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3.
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The Nile Delta
Area were Nile empties into Mediterranean Sea
Largest piece of fertile land
Encompassed major centres of Egypt
Faiyum
Lake Moeris lies at end of branch of Nile is
centre of oasis called Faiyum
Irrigation from Nile made Faiyum the third
most populated land
Geographic Effects on
Egypt’s stability and
history
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Fertile soil
deserts provided protection and shelter from outside
influences
Access to Mediterranean increased and expanded
trade and culture
culture was one of stability and not rapid change
Deserts were an important source of minerals and
building supplies (copper, tin, gold and natron, the
drying agent used in mummification)
What determined Egypt’s economic
prosperity?
Wealth
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Agriculture made up most of Egypt’s wealth
– grain, vegetables, fruit, cattle, goats, pigs and fowl
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Abundance and management of food supplies
(not royal treasury) was the measure of Egypt’s
wealth = full granaries, plenty of wildlife and fish,
and thriving herds were the signs of prosperity.
These were the images used in the tombs of the
Pharaohs to illustrate the wealth of their reigns
Economy
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Simple economy based on food production and minerals from desert
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access to the Mediterranean their routes extended trade as far as Northern Europe, subtropical
Africa and the Near East
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Trading was done by bartering goods (grain, oil, wheat)
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Taxes, salaries and loans were all paid entirely on goods
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extensive trading made Egypt a powerful influence on culture, art, ideas and technology (ie.
Western calendar was taken from the Romans who had borrowed it from the Egyptians)
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Trade eventually grew and expanded, bringing new ideas and goods into Egyptian society
Political:Egyptian Pharaohs
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Egyptians were led by
Pharaohs.
They were priest-kings
King Tut is the most
famous
Using computers, this
image was reconstructed
using his remains
Pyramids
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These are the Giza
pyramids, the most
famous.
Pyramids were tombs for
the kings.
These were built in 3500
B.C.E.
How old are they?
Mummies
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Egyptians who could
afford to do so would
have themselves
mummified.
They believed in a better
afterlife if their body was
preserved.
The Egyptians took out all of the internal organs, except
the heart. When they removed them the organs were put
in canopic jars, that were put in the tomb with the
mummy. They did not take out the heart because it was
believed to be the intelligence and emotion of the
person. The Egyptians
thought the brain had no significant value, so they took it
out through the nose. The body was packed and covered
with natron (a salty drying agent). After this the body
was left
for 40-50 days.
Domestic Life: Family
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In many families girls usually married at ages 12 to 15
A common couple were the ages of 12 to 30
There was no ceremony, the bride just moved in with the
husband
Siblings were not allowed to marry and you weren’t allowed to
have more than one wife
Divorce was very simple, all you had to do is say “I divorce you”
Very few children lived beyond five years of age
Role of Women
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Women were almost equal to men in every way in rights
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Women were allowed to be involved in businesses and land deals
They were also allowed to get jobs, like providing entertainment
in temples or ceremonies as singers, dancer, or acrobats
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Marriage
There was no great ceremony for the Egyptian
wedding. The women moved into the house, and
bared the children of the husband. But was also
given a dowry, as so if a divorce were to happen,
the women would still be able to live.
Girls were normally married off at the age of 1214. Men generally waited for their careers to
develop and they became stable and successful.
Surrounding Area
Kebet
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Kebet located 7547 cubits north of Thebes
Good place to pick up exotic goods
Major cult centre for the deity Min
It is a great starting point of expeditions to the gold mines or the
Breccia mines in the eastern desert.
It was also a starting point for trading or military missions across
the Red Sea. It is not an unusual site to see soldiers carrying
dismantled boats
Pyramid of Khufu
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Is the largest pyramid in the Giza
Plateau
Consists of the main pyramid and three
satellite pyramids
It was 275 cubits high
It was not possible to enter the pyramid
20 000 were hired to build the pyramid
Blocks were made and transported form
quarries
The use of log systems and levis were
used to transport and place the blocks
Sphinx
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First monument of its kind in
Egypt
Displays the face of King
Khafra
Contains a deity of itself, the
solar deity Horemakhet
Is connected to the king and his
divine power
Other kings have added
improvements, like open air
chapel!
Two colossal statues were built
by Tuthmosis Menkheperure
The Temples of Thebes
The Temple at Karnak
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The Karnak temple is located on the
east bank of the Nile river. It ‘s the
second largest temple complex in
Egypt. Only the high priest has
access to the high chamber. The
temple is dedicated to the deity
Amen.
The ear chapel is the only place that
regular folk can enter. It has giant
ears carved into the walls that
people whisper their desires into.
Valley of the kings
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It is also known as the “Great Noble
Necropolis of Millions of Years of
the Kings”.
It is the burial place for over 60
kings. It also contains 50 tombs that
all follow a similar pattern
It is located on the west bank of the
Nile
The deity Meretsega meaning “She
Who Loves Silence” supposedly
protects the valley
There are many halls found in the
structure. An example is The Hall
of Hindering. This hall is a deep
well chamber that acts as a deterrent
to grave robbers; it also serves as
being a symbolic burial of Osiris.
The Temple of Luxor
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This structure is known locally as Amenemopet which means
Amun of Opet.
This temple is smaller than the one at Karnak, but no less
impressive, though these two are connected by one ceremonial
way.
The pylon at the temple is decorated with battle scenes. These
act as a warning to anyone who plans to harm the Egyptians or
the temple itself.
Entertainment
Festivals
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Religious festivals included a procession through the streets with
a statue of the god or goddess. Offerings of gold and booty
were offered to the god and then evenly distributed amongst the
people.
The festival of drunkenness is the 5 day festival which included
excessive consumption of beer and wine which people thought
let them communicate with the gods.
Sports
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Faiyum, and the river Nile were popular destinations for
competing in water sports such as swimming, fishing and
fowling, though be wary of crocodiles in the Nile.
As per land sports, wrestling were a favorite, it was done
naked with an optional belt for gripping and generally had
no rules. Other popular sports included stick fighting,
running and jumping
Chariot Racing was also a favorite of the Egyptians though
it was very dangerous, BUT A GOOD SHOW!
5000 BC
This was the time where people first started to settle along the
Nile.
3110-2884 BC: King Menes Unites Egypt
King Menes was the first king to unite Egypt. He
wore a red and white crown symbolizing the unity
of upper and lower Egypt. This was also the
beginning of the Old Kingdom.
2686-2648 BC: Step Pyramid is Built
During the rule of king Djoser the first pyramid design was created
at Saqqara. This pyramid was a step pyramid.
2649-2150 BC: Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom was the very beginning of the great Egyptian
civiliazation. Many trade routes were established, and
monuments were built including the Pyramids of Giza.
Map of Egypt during
Old Kindom
2550-2490 BC: The Pyramids of Giza are Built
The three kings, Khufu, Khephren, and Menkare constructed the
Great Pyramids of Giza.
2150-2135 BC: Old Kingdom Collapses
The Old Kingdom’s political systems begin to collapse. There is
civil disorder, famine, and a high death rate.
2135-1986 BC: Egypt Splits
Egypt is split into northern and southern Egypt.
The north is ruled from the city Herakleopolis, and
the south is ruled from the city Thebes.
2134-2000 BC: Egypt is
Reunited
Egypt is once again reunited under the rule of Mentuhotep the 2nd.
The capital is moved to Thebes
Mentuhotep the
2nd
1991-1700 BC: Middle Kingdom
At this time Egypt had just come out of 150 years of anarchy.
Egypt once again began to flourish and expand its trade and
economy.
1937-1756 BC
Egyptian capital is moved to Memphis by Amenemhet.
Later Egypt is divided into 4 regions by Sesostris the
2nd.
1877-1870 BC: Irrigation in the Faiyum
Irrigations schemes were now put in place at the Faiyum. This
would greatly improve agriculture and probvied an abundance of
food.
1700 BC: Earliest evidence of medicine
With the creation of medicine Egypt was able to heal
many that were sick. It also opened up new
opportunities for trade.
1550-1070 BC: The New Kingdom
The New kingdom was a real time of change for Egypt. Many
great rulers would rule during this time period. Also trade and
territory would greatly improve.
1560 BC: War against the Hyksos
War between the Asiatic rulers and Thebes had broken out. The
Hyksos had invaded Egypt and ruled it for about 150 years.
1539-1295 BC: Egypt’s Great Rulers
During these year Ahmose had driven the Hyksos out of Egypt.
This led to a number of great rulers, such as:
 Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis the 3rd
 Amenhotep the 4th
 Tutankhamen
1470 BC: Hatshepsut’s Reign
Hatshepsut increased Egypt's economy immensely when she was
Pharaoh. She ordered trading expeditions to the far south
where she obtained rare goods.
1450 BC: Tuthmosis the 3rd’s Reign
While Tuthmosis was in reign he expanded
Egypt’s boarders greatly, especially to the
south where there were many resources.
1367 - 1350 BC: Reign of Amenhotep the 4th
During Menhotep’s Reign he revolutionized Egypt’s religious views.
He had turned Egypt’s polytheistic society to a monotheistic
society.
1336-1350 BC: Tutankhamen's Reign
At only ten years old Tutankhamen came into reign.
Though he only had a short rule he reversed
Amenhotep’s monotheistic cult. After his death by a
blow to the head (a seemingly homicide) the Egyptian
civilization began its slow crumble.