Transcript Slide 1
Chapter 3: Nile Civilizations Section 1 - The Kingdom of Egypt Main Idea Egypt was one of the most stable and long-lasting civilizations of the ancient world. Focus • How did geography influence Egypt’s early history? • What achievements were made in the Old Kingdom? • What happened during the Middle Kingdom? • What was Egypt like during the New Kingdom? Section 1 - The Kingdom of Egypt The Gift of the Nile: The Nile provided Egyptians water for farming as well as many types of animals and plants. Without the Nile’s waters, no one could live there I. Geography and Early Egypt Nile River: dominant physical feature of Egypt, 4,000+ miles long, flows north through Sahara Desert I. Geography and Early Egypt Prevailing north-to-south winds enabled boats to sail south, up the river I. Geography and Early Egypt Trade goods moved north with river’s flow, and south with the wind A. The Geography of Egypt Nile flooding was predictable - 3 months each summer – left behind fertile black silt The "Nilometer“ vertical markings along the stairway were used to measure the height of Nile flooding. The pharaohs used this information to predict the bounty of the crops and set the tax rates accordingly. A. The Geography of Egypt Flooding created narrow band of fertile soil; became home to Egyptian civilization A. The Geography of Egypt Most fertile soil was in Nile Delta; Egyptians named their country the “Black Land” and surrounding desert the “Red Land” A. The Geography of Egypt Harsh deserts and cataracts on Nile helped protect Egypt from invasion B. Two Kingdoms 5000 BC - First farming villages; over time developed into two kingdoms B. Two Kingdoms Lower Egypt - the northern kingdom; occupied most of Nile Delta; worshipped a cobra goddess Wadjet, Goddess of Lower Egypt, Papyrus, and Protector of Pharaoh B. Two Kingdoms Upper Egypt - the southern kingdom from delta to first cataract; worshipped a vulture goddess The goddess Nekhbet, Egyptian mothergoddess, guardian of Upper Egypt, and protector of the pharoah C. Unification c. 3100 BC - Two kingdoms unified when Menes conquered Lower Egypt; founded Memphis as capital Menes, aka Narmer, Catfish, Aha and Scorpion; ruled sometime between 3100-2850 B.C The Narmer Palette dates from about the 31st century BC and contains some of the earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions ever found. It is believed to depict the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under King Narmer. On one side the king is wearing the crown of Upper Egypt and the other side depicts the king wearing the crown of Lower Egypt. It provides one of the earliest known depictions of an Egyptian king and may be "the first historical document in the world“. C. Unification Menes adopted both symbols, the snake and vulture; combined the Red and White crowns C. Unification Menes founded the first of 31 dynasties Tomb painting, Temple of Abydos, Egypt, Dynasty XIX, 1317 BC II. The Old Kingdom c. 2650 BC - Third dynasty, start of Old Kingdom period; laid foundations for Egyptian institutions A. The Pyramids Tombs for pharaohs; hollow chamber for burial and treasure; protected by traps A. The Pyramids Design changed over time from step to smooth-sided; built from inside out Step Pyramid of Djoser (2667 - 2648 BC), the second king of the 3rd Dynasty at Saqqara. Designed by Imhotep, who stacked six traditional stone platforms on top of each other A. The Pyramids Designed by professional craftsmen; peasants worked one month a year, not built by slaves B. The Pharaohs Ruler was the pharaoh: held absolute power, owned all land, led army, and acted as judge Tomb wall paintings depict young King Tutankhamen victorious in battle B. The Pharaohs Pharaoh was a god; government and religion intertwined, creating theocracy The sun disc Aten shining on the names of the royal family Akhenaton under the rays of Aten holding the fruits of the harvest C. Egyptian Bureaucracy Rule aided by bureaucracy; vizier most powerful official, other officials ran Egypt III. The Middle Kingdom c. 2100 BC: Old Kingdom collapsed when pharaohs lost power to nobles III. The Middle Kingdom c. 2055 BC - New dynasty brought stability; start of Middle Kingdom - Egypt’s “golden age” Arts and crafts flourished during the Middle Kingdom, as is shown in this lovely amulet of Sesostris III Mentuhotep II, First Ruler of the Middle Kingdom III. The Middle Kingdom Trade increased, protected by fortresses built along Nile Trade Caravan III. The Middle Kingdom ca. 1650 BC - Middle Kingdom ended Hyksos conquered Lower Egypt using new technology Composite bow made of woods, horn, sinew and covered in birch bark - range .25 miles - better penetration than a magnum firearm IV. The New Kingdom Nobles from Thebes end Hyksos’ 100-year reign; became the new rulers IV. The New Kingdom Created a permanent army; won an empire that stretched from Nubia to the Euphrates IV. The New Kingdom c. 1500 BC - Hatshepsut seized power, became Egypt’s only female pharaoh IV. The New Kingdom Best known for trade expedition to Punt; nephew tried to remove all traces of her reign IV. The New Kingdom 1353 BC - Amenhotep IV became pharaoh; banned worship of all gods but sun god Aten Akhenaten, Nefertiti and their children IV. The New Kingdom c.1250 BC – Ramses II led army against Hittites; truce signed and Ramses married Hittite princess IV. The New Kingdom Ramses ruled 60 years, built more temples and monuments than any other pharaoh Ramses’ Temple at Luxor Temple of Karnak - Ramses II with his daughter Bent'anta V. Egypt’s Decline Reign of Ramses II marked last period of greatness Temple at Abu Simbel in Nubia V. Egypt’s Decline In-fighting and invasion of the Sea Peoples weakened Egypt; later Egypt fell to Rome This image shows an Egyptian limestone statue, depicting an unidentified woman, carved during the New Kingdom Period, dating from between 1550 BC to 1050 BC. The bust on display at Chicago’s Field Museum has been the focus of interest since the death of singer Michael Jackson as visitors double-take at the eerie similarities between the 3,000-year-old statue and the singer.