Transcript Pyramids on the Nile Chapter 2
Pyramids on the Nile Chapter 2
Land of Egypt
Importance of Geography Nile floods created plentiful harvests
(predictable)
Nile acted as unifying factor (N/S) Desert was a natural barrier
The River Nile
Egypt ’ s Historical Background I.
Archaic Period
Unification of Upper & Lower Egypt in 3100 BC by King
Menes
First
dynasty
was founded
Hieroglyphics were introduced about 3000 BC
Rosetta Stone
Hieroglyphics
Demotic
Ancient Greek
Interpreted by Jean Francois Champollion in mid-19 th century (20+ years)
Rosetta Stone
British Museum London
Papyrus - A paper-like material made from reeds.
Old Kingdom 2770-2200 BC
Time of prosperity & splendor Founded by Zoser - 3 rd dynasty “ Age of the Pyramids ” Time when pharaoh ’ s power became absolute & divine
Role of Pyramids
Represented royal authority
Monumental architecture
Tomb for mummified body of the rulers
The Afterlife and
Ka
Ka
(soul of the body?) could live on after death but must be provided for with all the things necessary for life…
Khufu ’ s pyramid aka “ Great Pyramid ”
Giza: The Great Sphinx*
Giza
Pyramid comparison
Pyramids Rooms stocked with supplies for the next life….
Chairs Boats Games Dishes Food Clothing Weapons Chariots
Tut ’ s Tomb
Howard Carter
Vulture collar from Tut ’ s tomb Vulture Collar from the tomb of Tutankhamen
Collapse of the Old Kingdom
Too much investment in pyramid building Series of poor harvests Nobles usurped power
First Intermediate Period
Time of anarchy & chaos No central authority/feudal Desert tribes invaded 11 th Dynasty restored order in 2050 BCE
Pharaoh ruled as a god
(
Theocratic
government) Head of religion, government & army… Full responsibility for prosperity Caused rain to fall, sun to rise Nile to flood , crops to grow
Main Gods
Re -
the sun god
Amen -
the god of Thebes
Osiris -
judge of the dead Egyptians hoped for life after death
Osiris
Judge of the Dead Personified the growth of vegetation & life-giving force of the Nile Weighed hearts of the dead
Triumph of Good over Evil The Cult of Osiris * Hyperlink Paternal qualities of Osiris appealed to emotions Promised immortality to those who led moral lives
Isis
Love, magic, motherhood, children, medicine and peace were her human realms
Anubis Jackal head God of embalming
Mummy at The British Museum
Step 1: Washing the body & anointing with oils
Step 2:Removal of organs
Canopic Jars held organs Represented the four sons of Horis -Vital organs were stored
Brain Probe The brain was thought to be useless, a producer of mucus. It was liquefied and removed through the nostrils.
Probe from The British Museum
Step 3: drying body with salts
Step 4: Body cavity stuffed with linens and other fibers
Step 5: rewashing after 70 days
Body preserved for eternity People of all classes planned for their burials Tombs filled with all that would be needed in afterlife
Mummified Remains of King Tut ’ s Granny… Queen Tiy, wife of Amenhotep III
The Middle Kingdom 2050-1652 BC
More socially responsible Swamps drained Canals dug Pharaoh allied with middle classes
Classical or Golden Age
Middle Kingdom…continued
Expansion into Palestine & Syria…followed by weak rulers Religion democratized Cult of Osiris gains momentum Idea of personal salvation
Second Intermediate Period ends the Middle Kingdom, 1640 BC
Takeover by
Hyksos,
from Western Asia nomads Secret weapons: the
chariot
& bronze Adopted by Egyptians
Hyksos driven out after 70 years!
Warlike rulers restored Egypt ’ s power & built an empire Queen Ahhotep Pharaoh Kamose
The New Kingdom 1560-1075 BC
“
Third Period of Glory
” Mighty military machine was source of pharaoh ’ s power Professional army Power of nobles reduced
Map of Egypt
New Kingdom
Ruled by the
18 th
, 19 th and 20 th Dynasties Thebes (in the south) was capital
New Kingdom pursued aggressive imperial policies in the Fertile Crescent
New Kingdom VIPs
Hatshepsut – first woman ruler Thutmose III - expansionist Amenhotep IV - monotheist Tutankhamun – boy king Ramses II “ The Great ” – builder, peace-maker,
Moses
, 19 th dynasty
Hatshepsut Declared herself pharaoh ~1472 BC Encouraged trade not war May have been killed by her step son
Amenotep IV
aka
Akhenaten sandstone bust 1375 BC
Musee du Louvre, Paris
Akhenaten:
religious revolution &
monotheism
Elevated the status of sun god; Aten Monotheism opposed by priest/people Moved capital to Akhenaten in middle Egypt
Nefertiti
wife of Akhenaten Daughter of the vizier
State Museum, Berlin
Akhenaten & Family
Funerary Mask of Tutankhamen (Egyptian Museum)
New Kingdom: King Tut ’ s solid gold inner coffin
King Tutankhamen
Probably the son of Akhenaten Died at age 18 Succeeded by Nefertiti ’ s father, Ay Restored the old gods / capital
Ramses II ruler of Egypt
r.(1290-1224 BC) First Ruler of 19 th Dynasty
Ramses II
with war captives Last great pharaoh
Egyptian QUEEN: One of Ramses II ’ s 200 wives & concubines
Temple of Ramses II
at
Abu Simbel
Died aged 99
150 children
Moses
Michelangelo, 1512, Rome Might have lived during the time of Ramses II
Egyptian Economy
Agriculture mainly… Wheat, barley, flax Raised sheep & cattle Glassware & metalworking Weaving & Pottery Luxury goods for the wealthy
Plowing (ceramic from tombs)
Egyptian flat bread found in tomb
Egyptian Pottery
Egyptian Glass: cosmetics container
For kohl (eyeliner ) Example of a luxury item The Egyptians were the first to produce glass
Henna
Used for Mehandi and as hair dye
Razor
Shaved heads were common for males & females
Empire Fades After 1200 BC
People of the Sea
destruction caused Palestine rebelled Libyans invaded Ruled 950 -750 BC
Piankhi of Kush
took control in 751 BC Unified Nile from Napata to the delta Established 25 th dynasty Reigns for 80 years Overthrown by Assyrians Royalty flees to Meroe
Greek Rule begins
330 BC 323 BC to 30BC ruled by
Ptolemy
family Egypt ’ s authority, wealth & independence remained intact
Cleopatra
VII was the last ruler before takeover by Rome
Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra VII
Contributions to Civilization
Architecture & Engineering Art Hieroglyphics Solar calendar based on 365 days per year introduced in 4200 BC