Egypt History Study Notes PDF

Egypt Social structure Society was hierarchical, the top of the society was the pharaoh, who was both God and King. All other people were beneath him in society, but everyone had their own role. ○ Hierarchical: a system in which members of an organisation or society...

Egypt Social structure Society was hierarchical, the top of the society was the pharaoh, who was both God and King. All other people were beneath him in society, but everyone had their own role. ○ Hierarchical: a system in which members of an organisation or society are ranked according to relative status or authority. Class System ○ 1 Pharaoh ○ 1 Vizier (appointed by Pharaoh) ○ 2 High Priests ○ 3 Scribes ○ 4 Craftspeople ○ 5 Peasant Farmers and Workers ○ The rest of the class are slaves Priest and Religions Visieers ○ Are incharge of admin of the kingdom ○ Managing taxes ○ Construction management ○ In charge of traffic on the nile. High Priests ○ Were responsible for the priesthood and religious buildings ○ They carried out daily rituals Chancellor ○ Chancellor was the person who represented the pharaoh for trade negotiations and expeditions.  Everyday religion ○ Egyptians had a pantheon for many things that happened in the world such as sun, water and life and death. ○ Egyptians are polytheistic which means they believe in more than one god. Egyptian Gods Everyday of Ancient Egypt Clothing ○ The ancient Egyptians wore clothes made from linen, a light and cool material. ○ Being clean was very important to the ancient Egyptians. They had cleansing rituals daily in the river or bathed at home in water basins filled with water from the river. ○ Men and woman wore makeup for cosmetic purposes and protection from the sun. ○ Jewellery was very popular for fashion and religion. ○ They were made from gold and silver and gems. Men and Women ○ Most men worked as farmers to earn their family a living and raise them crops to eat. ○ Women were sometimes respected equally as men but men were dominant of the household ○ Still, even though women were treated better than other women in other parts of the world at that time, they were still seen as the primary caretakers of children. ○ They were allowed to own property be in court and conduct buisness. Food ○ Wheat was a staple (most eaten) food. Most peasants survived off a combination of wheat and vegetables. Meat was more expensive and difficult to come by. ○ They grew onions and leeks and salad vegetables ○ They grew beans and dried them so that they could be cooked and eaten throughout the year ○ They grew fruit such as figs and pomegranates. ○ They caught fish from the Nile. ○ They kept cattle (cows) for milk and meat. ○ Bear brewed from barley was the primary drink. Houses ○ Houses where made of brick from the mud of the nile compact by feet and added with straw. ○ Craft workers lived in two storey houses made of mud bricks painted inside and had a reception living room bedroom and cellar which food was stored in. ○ The homes of the luxury were bigger and more better with spacious reception living roms central gardens courtyard with a fish pond flowering plants many bathrooms and everything was painted and expensive furniture. Games and entertainment ○ Children played with toys such as spinning tops and models of animals. ○ Adults played board games and story telling.  Trades/Jobs ○ Most people were farmers there were other trades like carpenters metal workers bakers goldsmiths boat builders ect. ○ Everything depended on the nile because stuff was transported on i Religion and funerary customs The ancient Egyptians saw signs of gods all around them. They believed that: ○ there were hundreds of gods and goddesses who controlled every aspect of their daily lives, as well as the world of the afterlife ○ the gods created them and their world out of nothingness and would return it to nothingness if they did not please the gods ○ the gods could take animal form, human form or a combination of both. Opec Festivals ○ he Opet Festival was an ancient Egyptian celebration that linked the Karnak temple and the Luxor Temple ○ The celebration honoured the triad of gods, Amun, Mut and Khonsu. It legitimised the power of the pharaoh. It included religious ceremonies, banquets and feasts. It also hosted a ritual procession for the pharaoh to renew their divine kingship. Funerary Customers ○ Egyptians believed that after death, everyone would move on to the Aaru, a perfect reflection of life on Earth including all the earthly goods brought with you in your funeral. ○ Mummification was a part of the funeral rites to preserve the body of the dead for the afterlife. ○ The removal of organs symbolised the removal of the sins that had tainted those organs and are placed in canopic jars. ○ Even the poorest Egyptian was given some kind of ceremony, if the deceased were not buried they would return in the form of a ghost to haunt the living, and were considered a real threat. Pyramids Great Pyramid of Giza ○ Why it was built: Tomb for Pharaoh Khufu Secure his journey to the afterlife Symbol of power and architectural skill ○ When it was built: Completed around 2560 BCE Over 4,500 years old ○ Where it was built: Giza Plateau, near Cairo, Egypt ○ Who built it: Estimated workforce of 20,000-30,000 skilled workers and labourers Workers were likely conscripted, paid in food and lodging ○ Materials used: Core made of local limestone, outer casing of fine white limestone Granite used for certain interior chambers Copper chisels, hammers, wooden sleds were the primary tools Great Sphinx of Giza ○ Why was it built Likely to represent Pharaoh Khafre Stood as a guardian of the pyramid complex Symbol of royal power and wisdom ○ When it was built: Carved around 2500 BCE Over 4,500 years old ○ Where it was built: Giza Plateau, near the west bank of the Nile River ○ Who built it: Workforce similar to that of the pyramids (around 20,000-30,000 workers) ○ Materials used: Carved from a single limestone block Tools used included copper chisels and stone hammers What did women do in ancient Egypt? ○ Managed households, raised children, and helped with family businesses ○ Worked in fields, crafted goods, or participated in religious ceremonies ○ Wealthy women oversaw servants and managed estates How were women treated in ancient Egypt compared to other places? Women had more rights and freedoms than in many other ancient civilizations Could own property, divorce, and inherit wealth Legally equal to men in many aspects but often focused on domestic roles What can we learn about how women lived in ancient Egypt? Daily lives varied by social class; wealthy women had leisure, poorer women worked Primary responsibilities were household duties, but they could also engage in trade or law Marriage and motherhood were central, but they had significant legal independence What were the goddesses like in ancient Egyptian religion? Goddesses like Isis, Hathor, and Nephthys were powerful symbols of motherhood, fertility, and protection Isis was a central figure, symbolising life and rebirth; Hathor represented love and music Goddesses often held equal or greater importance than male gods Who were some famous women in ancient Egypt and what did they do? Hatshepsut: Female pharaoh who ruled successfully for over two decades Cleopatra VII: Last pharaoh of Egypt, known for her political skills and relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony Nefertiti: Queen known for her influence in religious reforms and iconic beauty Did all women in ancient Egypt have the same rights? Rights depended on social class; wealthier women had more opportunities for independence Lower-class women had fewer rights, focused on labour, but still had legal protections What did ancient Egyptian art and stories say about women? Often depicted as mothers and wives, emphasising their role in family life Shown in art as equal in size and position to men, indicating relative equality Stories highlighted women's wisdom and nurturing abilities, especially in mythology How did women run households in ancient Egypt? Responsible for managing food preparation, childcare, and textile production Wealthy women oversaw servants and estates, while poorer women did much of the work themselves Women managed family finances and sometimes owned property What jobs did women have in ancient Egypt? Some worked as priestesses, dancers, midwives, or weavers Wealthier women could manage estates or businesses Women also worked in agriculture, craft shops, and could be involved in trade How did women keep Egyptian traditions alive?  Passed down customs, religious practices, and stories to children Played key roles in religious ceremonies and rites, particularly in birth and death traditions Helped preserve everyday customs through their involvement in family and community life Contact and Conflict. Conflict ○ How Egypt dealt with it: Egyptians often organised rebellions or military campaigns to expel invaders or subdue rival regions. They relied heavily on their military strength, including infantry, chariots, and naval forces. Fortifications and defensive structures, like forts along the Nile, were built to secure borders and control key regions. Egyptians also used diplomacy when warfare did not lead to a clear victory, signing peace treaties with rival powers to ensure stability and mutual benefit. Integration of foreign groups into Egyptian society was another method of conflict resolution. Rather than continuing long-term battles, Egyptians sometimes allowed invaders to settle, eventually absorbing them into the social and political structure. Naval warfare and swift mobilisation of troops were key strategies in defending Egypt from coastal or sea-based threats. Egypt's navy played a vital role in preventing foreign invasions. Contact Trade ○ Ancient Egypt engaged in extensive trade with neighboring regions. They traded gold, papyrus, linen, and grain with the Near East, Nubia (south of Egypt), and the Mediterranean, receiving goods like cedarwood, copper, and olive oil. ○ Punt was a famous trading partner, known as the "Land of Punt," supplying Egypt with luxury goods like incense, myrrh, and exotic animals. ○ Nubia had close trade and cultural exchanges with Egypt, rich in gold, ivory, and slaves. Cultural Exchange ○ Egypt’s contacts with the Hittites, Mesopotamians, and Levantines led to the exchange of art, religious ideas, and technologies. Egyptian adaptation of chariot warfare came from the Hyksos during their occupation. Diplomacy ○ During the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1070 BCE), Egypt established diplomatic relations with great powers like the Hittites, Assyria, and Babylon. A notable treaty with the Hittites followed the Battle of Kadesh, one of the earliest known international peace agreements. Wonders of Ancient Egypt The Pyramids of Giza: ○ Last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. ○ Built for Pharaoh Khufu. The Sphinx: ○ Colossal statue with a lion's body and a human head. Temples of Karnak and Luxor: ○ Karnak: Largest religious structure, dedicated to Amun. ○ Luxor: Important religious and political centre. Valley of the Kings: ○ Burial site for pharaohs, including Tutankhamun. Legacy of Ancient Egypt Hieroglyphic Writing: ○ Pictorial writing system, preserved culture and language. Mummification: ○ Preservation of the dead, reflecting beliefs about the afterlife. Cultural Influence: ○ Impacted art, architecture, and governance in later civilizations.