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, military leaders◦ Middle class-artisans,

merchants◦ 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◦5 days for holidays

and feastingWritten 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