Egypt Civilization PDF

Egypt Civilization Cycle 5, Meeting 1 What was the importance of river system during the ancient civilizations? REVIEW: Map Skills: NILE RIVER CIVILIZATION GEOGRAPHY OF EGYPT AND NUBIA  Nile River Flows north from the heart of Africa to the Mediterranean Se...

Egypt Civilization Cycle 5, Meeting 1 What was the importance of river system during the ancient civilizations? REVIEW: Map Skills: NILE RIVER CIVILIZATION GEOGRAPHY OF EGYPT AND NUBIA  Nile River Flows north from the heart of Africa to the Mediterranean Sea The Nile provided water for drinking and growing crops Cataracts kept out invaders Marshy delta kept out enemies Allowed transportation of goods and people  Nile’s Yearly Flooding Egyptians eagerly waiting for the annual flood It soaked the land with life-giving water and deposited layer of rich silt Farmers took advantage of the fertile soil to plant wheat and flax. They grew enough food to feed themselves and their animals. They built dikes, reservoirs and “Miracle of the Nile” irrigation ditches to store water Egypt Surrounded by deserts (called red lands) Seldom experiences rain Divided into Upper Egypt (South) and Lower Egypt (North) Upper Egypt stretched from the first cataract or waterfall of the Nile to the Mediterranean Sea. Lower Egypt covered the delta region where the Nile empties to the Mediterranean.  The Nubians Egypt was not the only civilization along the Nile River. The Nubians lived along the Nile River, south of Egypt. The first Nubians were cattle herders. Their cattle grazed on savanna. Nubia got plenty of rainfall throughout the year. As a result, farmers did not need water from the Nile River. Nile Civilization Egyptian Society and Culture  Women were respected in the Egyptian society Enjoyed higher status and greater independence than other women in the ancient world. Women could inherit and sell property without asking for permission, enter business deals, buy and sell goods, go to court, and obtain divorce (but is not common in the civilization). Wives and/or mothers of Pharaohs can be the ruler if the Pharaoh dies  Egyptian occupations High priests led religious Dancers, ceremonies and Peasants planted, cultivated, and acrobats, and served as harvested crops musicians Pharaoh’s who played adviser such instruments such as flute and harp entertained wealthy Egyptians Artisans wove clothing, made jewelry, carved sculptures, forged metals, built cabinets, and worked with leather Egyptians also developed ways to use papyrus. Papyrus- a reed plant that grew along Nile. They harvested papyrus to make baskets, sandals, river rafts. The papyrus was also used for making writing paper. Hieroglyphics "priest carvings or sacred writings" It is a pictographic system of writing that used pictures that stood for names of things with more than 2000 characters.  Simplified version of hieroglyphics – HIERATIC was used for business transactions and the general needs of daily life.  Hieratic script was based on the same principles a hieroglyphic writing, but the drawings were represented by dashes, strokes, and curves. Egyptian hieroglyphs were at first carved in stone. Later, hieratic script was written on papyrus. Scholars decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics The Rosetta Stone provided a key to decipher ancient writing.  Egyptian Religious belief Polytheistic Two groups (sun gods and land gods) came to have special significance in view of the importance of the sun and the fertile land along the Nile to Egypt's well-being  LIFE AFTER DEATH The Egyptians were very religious and like many other cultures they believed in an afterlife. Egyptians believed that life after death was better than the present life. The Egyptians studied and followed the Book of the Dead – a collection of customs, rituals, prayers and spells. Mummification-process by which the body is preserved.  Tombs provide a ‘home’ for the dead Egyptians placed whatever they felt the person would need in the afterlife Only a few tools were buried with the poor, however, the wealthy were filled with clothing, furniture, perfumes, jewelries, etc. Artists carved sculptures and painted scenes for the walls. Artisans carved furniture of fine wood inlaid with gold and ivory.  Journey to Afterlife The dead soul will cross the lake of fire to the Hall of Osiris. Osiris would weigh the dead person’s heart against the feather of truth (Ma’at). The sinner's’ Afterlife heart will be fed to the crocodile-shaped Eater of the Dead. Worthy souls would enter the Happy Field of Food , where they would live forever in bliss.  Egyptians left a rich legacy of art and literature. Statues, paintings, poems and tales have given us wealth of information about ancient Egyptian attitudes and values. Arts and Literature Jewelry made by the artisans  Calendar The Egyptians also studied Astronomy Egyptian Calendar Based on the sun and had 365 days  Egyptian architects were the first to use obelisks, and stone columns in building homes and public buildings such as temples and palaces. The construction of pyramids reflected their knowledge of practical geometry. The practice of mummification allowed the Egyptians to gain significant knowledge about the human body.  TEd JEEPGY: The civilizations of Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, and Egypt depended on rivers for fertile lands and irrigation. Synthesis: Predict what our lives might have been like if we preserve our river systems. Processing: How would God feel if we have been conscious to our environment?