Transcript Egypt: Gift of the Nile

Egypt: Gift of
the Nile
The Nile valley supplied abundant food to
those who lived there, while the mountains and
desert on either side provided them with
security. Ancient Egypt developed and
prospered on 750 navigable miles of a river that
is 4000 miles in length. Where it empties into the
Mediterranean, the Nile creates a fertile delta,
known as Lower Egypt, where the Egyptian
civilization first began. Upper Egypt is arid
except for the narrow fertile land on either side
of the river. The Greek historian Herodotus
wrote that "Egypt is the gift of the Nile." By this
he meant that the Nile determined Egypt’s
economy, its form of government, and its culture.
In ancient Egypt, the Nile River served as the most
important transportation route. Boats, much like these,
were used to move people and cargo up and down it.
The Nile River at sunset. Amun-Re, the sun god,
was one of ancient Egypt's most important gods.
Construction of this colonnade was started by
Amenhotep III in the 13th century BC. Over 60 feet
tall, the 14 sandstone columns are shaped like
papyrus plants.
Egyptian Obelisk:
The ancient
Egyptians often
placed obelisks
carved from
stone at the
entrances to their
temples.
Horus Statue at
Edfu Temple:
Horus was a falconheaded sky god
closely associated
with every pharaoh.
Here we see
tourists being
helped up a
pyramid in Egypt.
This picture was taken in the late
1890s.
Sphinx and pyramid built by the pharoah, Khafre: The pharaoh Khafre
had this sphinx carved to guard the way to his pyramid over 4,500
years ago.
Step Pyramid from a distance: Built almost 5,000 years ago as
the burial place for king Zoser (Djoser) of the Old Kingdom, the Step
Pyramid is the oldest stone memorial building known.
Great Pyramid at Giza:
When first built, the pyramids had flat polished
sides of white limestone. Over the years, almost all
of the siding was removed for use as building
material in Cairo
The Sphinx of Memphis, also known as the "Alabaster
Sphinx" because is made of calcite, is 26 feet long and
3,500 years old.
Akhenaten Changes Egyptian Art
http://www.unitedstreaming.com
Scarab beetles symbolized the sun god
Khepri, who ancient Egyptians believed
pushed the sun across the sky.
Hieroglyph in the form of an owl:
This hieroglyph stands for the sound made by the letter M.
It was carved into an Egyptian tomb wall about 2500 BC.
Slavery was a reality of life for a large part of ancient
Egypt's population. Even common people who were
nominally free could be conscripted by the king for
construction projects during the annual floods, when
agricultural work could not be performed. These slaves are
being punished for misdeeds. A relief in the mastaba of
Governor Ti at Saqqara.
An ancient Egyptian wall painting depicting the conquest of Egypt in
predynastic times. Around 3100 B.C. King Menes united the regions of
Upper and Lower Egypt into a single state. From that time to the
present, the Nile valley civilization has largely remained under
centralized administrative rule. In this painting the people in the black
boat, its prow situated at right, represent the intruders.
Ancient Egyptian medical instruments. Among
these instruments are knives, pincers, scissors,
spoons, a saw, various bowls, and a balance. The
ancient Egyptians were very knowledgeable about
the functions and structure of the human body.
This relief is from the temple at Kom Ombo, Egypt.
Ancient Egyptians regarded bees as important because of
the honey they produced. According to an Egyptian myth,
bees were created when the sun-god Re wept. His tears
fell to earth as bees. The bee was used as a symbol of
lower Egypt.
Hieroglyphs in the form of an ibis:
Hieroglyphs are the earliest known writing
system. This one was carved into an
Egyptian tomb wall about 2500 BC.
Hieroglyphs: the sun-disk and a bird. The round disk represents the
Sun "Re" (or Ra) and the bird signifies "Son of." The ancient Egyptians
believed that their kings were literally sons of Re, the sun god. This
carving is from a granite column in the Hall of Annals of Thutmose III at
Karnak, Egypt.
Ibis were thought of as sacred birds
in ancient Egypt.
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Video clip on Papyrus:
“Paper, Writing, and Numbers”
Papyrus is a reed that grows along the banks of the Nile
River. The ancient Egyptians used it to make everything
from boats and sandals to baskets and writing material.
Papyrus plants growing in a channel of the Nile Delta in Egypt. Papyrus
(cyperus papyrus,) a member of the sedge family, was important in the
daily life of ancient Egypt. The roots were used as fuel and the pith was
eaten. Other uses of the papyrus plant included sandals, boats, rope,
mats, cloth, and most notably a paper-like writing material.
This picture shows the minaret, or prayer
tower, of a mosque in Cairo, Egypt.
Anubis: The Jackal Headed God
He was the guide of the dead as they made their way through the
darkness of the underworld. As a patron of magic, it was believed he
could foresee a persons destiny, in this role he was the announcer of
death.
Osiris
At first the God of corn; later the God of the dead.
Osiris brought civilization to the Egyptians, teaching
them the uses of corn and wine, weaving, sculpture,
religion, music and law.
This market in Cairo,
Egypt, was started
over 700 years ago.
Small towns such as this one are common in Egypt.
Fruit stands are a standard feature
of Egypt's food markets.
Camels are still an important means of
transportation in many parts of the
world.
Great Pyramid at Giza:
When first built, the pyramids had flat polished
sides of white limestone. Over the years, almost all
of the siding was removed for use as building
material in Cairo
There are many topics you could study when
thinking about the amazing culture of the
Egyptians. Some of these include:
•Religion: Gods/Goddesses and Life After Death
•Pyramids
•Trading
•Animals in Egypt
•Sahara Desert
•Jewelry and Clothing
•Fashion of the Egyptians
•Medicine
•Food and drink
•The Social Class Ladder:
•Famous Pharaohs: Kings and Queens
•Mummification
•The Roles of Men and Women
•Nubia
Read through our classroom
books about Egypt and decide
which three topics you are
most interested in learning
more about!