14
Pyramids on the Nile Chapter 2 Section 2
Pyramids on the NileChapter 2 Section 2
Key Terms
DeltaNarmerPharaohTheocracyPyramidMummificationHieroglyphicsPapyrus
The Geography of Egypt
Nile RiverChanged desert to
fertile landFlooded every JulyFlooding predictablePlanted in OctoberUsed irrigation
The Geography of Egypt
Desert shut out invaders
Upper and Lower Egypt◦Upper Egypt first
cataract◦Lower Egypt near the
sea and delta◦Used Nile for
transportation◦Wind North to South
Egypt Unites into a Kingdom
King Narmer unites Egypt◦Lower Egypt red
crown◦Upper Egypt white
crown 3200-2700 BC
Pharaohs Rule as Gods
Pharaohs- god kingsTheocracy-
government based on religion◦Caused sun to rise◦Nile to flood◦Ruled in death
Pyramids- resting place of kings◦Ruled even in death
Each stone weighed 2 ½ tons to 15 tons
Each perfectly cutGiza
◦2 million stones◦13 acres
Egyptian Culture
Religion and Life◦Polytheistic◦ Isis, Re, Osiris◦Believed in afterlife◦ If good beautiful
other world◦Mummification-
embalming and drying the corpse
◦Tombs filled with many items
Life in Egyptian Society
Pyramid society◦Kings, queens◦Wealthy landowners,
priest,◦Middle class◦Largest peasants and
farmersLocked into social
classJobs or marriage
could change class
Life in Egyptian Society
Slavery became widespread
Needed to read and write to win highest positions
Opened many careers
Woman held the same rights as men
Egyptian Writing
Hieroglyphics –means sacred carving◦Pictures stood for
ideas◦Picture stood for
sounds Written on papyrus
◦Made from reeds that were dried and pressed
Egyptian Science and Technology
Made calendars◦Starred at stars◦Would appear before
the flood◦Made 365 day
calendar◦Made it 12 months◦30 days per month
Written numbers
Egyptian Science and Technology
GeometrySurveyingArchitecture
◦First to use stone columns
Medicine◦Felt pulse◦Set broken bones◦Treat wounds and
fevers
Invaders Control Egypt
Power declined 2180 BC
Improved transportation dug canal
Huge dikes for floodwaters
Drained swamps for farms
Hyksos came from Palestine
