Quest for ImmortalityQuest for Immortality

The Nile RiverThe Nile RiverRiver was seen as divine or like a god.The Nile was the key to life.Gifts of the Nile

Floods give fertile soil Means of travel using boats 365 day calendar was developed to predict

floods

River was seen as divine or like a god.The Nile was the key to life.Gifts of the Nile

Floods give fertile soil Means of travel using boats 365 day calendar was developed to predict

floods

Early Egyptian CivilizationEarly Egyptian Civilization

When? Started around 6,000 BCE

Unification - Lower and Upper Egypt are united by the Pharaoh Menes around 3100 BCE

First capital city is named Memphis

When? Started around 6,000 BCE

Unification - Lower and Upper Egypt are united by the Pharaoh Menes around 3100 BCE

First capital city is named Memphis

HieroglyphicsHieroglyphics Picture writing No vowels were used No one knows how

ancient Egyptian was spoken

The Rosetta Stone allows translations

It was found by accident

Picture writing No vowels were used No one knows how

ancient Egyptian was spoken

The Rosetta Stone allows translations

It was found by accident

Early Egyptian SocietyEarly Egyptian Society

Villages were united into nomes by the Pharaohs

Nomes - agricultural districtsGovernment could keep track of crop

yields and collect taxes easier

Villages were united into nomes by the Pharaohs

Nomes - agricultural districtsGovernment could keep track of crop

yields and collect taxes easier

The PharaohsThe Pharaohs

Seen as living gods by the Egyptian peopleThey ruled as god-kingsCommoners never revolt against the

PharaohsThe Pharaohs believed they would be

immortalIt was a quest for immortality

Seen as living gods by the Egyptian peopleThey ruled as god-kingsCommoners never revolt against the

PharaohsThe Pharaohs believed they would be

immortalIt was a quest for immortality

The PharaohsThe Pharaohs

Their goal was to preserve their ka or eternal spirit

Mummies were used to preserve the body It was believed that the spirit would return

to the body from time to timePyramids were created to leave a timeless

legacy of the Pharaohs

Their goal was to preserve their ka or eternal spirit

Mummies were used to preserve the body It was believed that the spirit would return

to the body from time to timePyramids were created to leave a timeless

legacy of the Pharaohs

DynastyDynasty

Power passed through the family and usually from father to son

There were 31 dynasties in 2800 years

Dynastic Cycle - the rise and fall of power

Power passed through the family and usually from father to son

There were 31 dynasties in 2800 years

Dynastic Cycle - the rise and fall of power

Kingdoms of EgyptKingdoms of EgyptOld Kingdom (2780-2180 BCE)

Known as the “Age of the Pyramids” Pharaonic power declines The empire becomes weak and declines

Middle Kingdom (2100-1788 BCE) Pharaoh Amenemhet rebuilds the empire Built great libraries and expanded trade

Old Kingdom (2780-2180 BCE) Known as the “Age of the Pyramids” Pharaonic power declines The empire becomes weak and declines

Middle Kingdom (2100-1788 BCE) Pharaoh Amenemhet rebuilds the empire Built great libraries and expanded trade

Kingdoms of EgyptKingdoms of EgyptNew Kingdom (1580-1090 BCE)

Great building projects - Temples Egyptian creates a professional army Hatshepsut was the first female Pharaoh She greatly expanded trade and avoided war The Egyptian empire expands to its greatest

extent under Thutmose Egypt invaded again and never recovers The fall of Egypt officially happens in 31 BCE

New Kingdom (1580-1090 BCE) Great building projects - Temples Egyptian creates a professional army Hatshepsut was the first female Pharaoh She greatly expanded trade and avoided war The Egyptian empire expands to its greatest

extent under Thutmose Egypt invaded again and never recovers The fall of Egypt officially happens in 31 BCE

Egyptian Way of LifeEgyptian Way of Life

Nobles Led a life of luxury Women have rights Social mobility was possible How? Working for the government as scribes,

priests, and tax collectors.

Nobles Led a life of luxury Women have rights Social mobility was possible How? Working for the government as scribes,

priests, and tax collectors.

Egyptian Way of LifeEgyptian Way of Life

Peasants Constant work using physical labor Few comforts in their homes Live on bread and beer Most could not read or write hieroglyphics Farmers, Builders, Artisans, Soldiers

Peasants Constant work using physical labor Few comforts in their homes Live on bread and beer Most could not read or write hieroglyphics Farmers, Builders, Artisans, Soldiers

Egyptian Way of LifeEgyptian Way of Life

Slaves Most were war captives Strong abuse and cruelty by their masters Slaves working in the mines were treated the

worst However, treatment did vary and some were

able to earn their freedom through work or having an education

Slaves Most were war captives Strong abuse and cruelty by their masters Slaves working in the mines were treated the

worst However, treatment did vary and some were

able to earn their freedom through work or having an education

Egyptian ReligionEgyptian Religion

Egyptians were polytheisticPolytheism - the belief in many godsThere were many male and female deitiesAman or Amun Ra or Re was the Supreme

GodPowerful priest class controlled the

religion Priests had great wealth, power and status

Egyptians were polytheisticPolytheism - the belief in many godsThere were many male and female deitiesAman or Amun Ra or Re was the Supreme

GodPowerful priest class controlled the

religion Priests had great wealth, power and status

Egyptian ReligionEgyptian Religion

The Book of the Dead is world’s oldest religious writing

Egyptians believed in a Time of JudgmentEgyptian Temples marked celestial events

such as lunar or solar eclipses

The Book of the Dead is world’s oldest religious writing

Egyptians believed in a Time of JudgmentEgyptian Temples marked celestial events

such as lunar or solar eclipses