SS Test Egypt Test Dec 2017

Afterlife/religion

Much of Egyptian religion focused on the afterlife or life after death. They believed that the afterlife was a happy place and was an ideal world where all the people are young and happy.

Old Kingdom

*First time period in Ancient Egypt.* Lasted about 500 years (2700 to 2200 BC). Pharoah was top social hierarchy and considered a king and a god. Most famous Pharoah in the Old Kingdom was Khufu. As society developed in the Old Kingdom, Egypt started to trade with neighbors. Pyramids built during Old Kingdom.

Short Answer: the role of a Pharaoh

A Pharaoh was the most important and powerful person in Ancient Egypt. Pharoahs were *Egyptian Kings*. The first Pharoah, *Menes,* unified Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt (he wore a double crown). The Pharaohs were *worshipped as gods,* had *great power*, were expected to *rule fairly,* and collected *taxes*. However, it *wasn't always great to be a Pharaoh*. If there was a drought, bad harvest or spread of disease, Pharaohs would be blamed.

The Gift of the Nile

Another name for Egypt. The Nile River brought life to Egypt and enabled it to thrive. The river was so important to the region that the Greek historian Herodotus called Egypt "the gift of the Nile." What it did? *The Nile led to irrigation which helped grow Egyptian society!*

New Kingdom

Around 1550BC, Amrose of Thebes declared himself the King of Egypt. His rise to power marked the start of the New KIngdom. During this period, Egypt reached the height of its power and glory. Lasted from 1550BC to 1050BC. *Third time period in Ancient Egypt*

Middle Kingdom

At the end of Old Kingdom, the wealth and power of the pharaohs declined. By 2200 BC, the Old Kingdom fell and local nobles ruled much of Egypt. For 160 years, the kingdom had no central ruler. But around 2050BC, Egypt was unified again by a powerful Pharaoh (Mentuhotep II). His rule began the Middle Kingdom which lasted until about 1750BC. *This was second time period in Ancient Egypt.*

Short Answer: the importance of the geography of Egypt

Geography was very important part of the development of ancient Egypt. Egypt is made up mostly of deserts and the region receives very little rainfall. The most important geography feature in Egypt was the Nile River. The Nile provided the Ancient Egyptians with *fertile land*. The Nile river was also the main source of *drinking water* and *irrigation water* for farming. The Nile River also provided a lot of *building materials* for the Ancient Egyptians. They used the mud from the riverbanks to make *bricks* to build. For these reasons, Egyptian *cities developed along the Nile* River. Since most of the major cities of Ancient Egypt were built along the Nile River, the river was also *used like a major highway* throughout the Empire, and it was *used for trade.*

Engineering

Pyramids are an example of Egyptian engineering. Engineering is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

Nobles

Right below the pharaoh in social status were powerful nobles and priests. Only nobles could hold government posts. Priests were responsible for pleasing the gods and running temples.

Sail Boats

Sailing was very difficult on the portion of the Nile river that had cararacts or rapids on them. Cataracts acted as a natural barrier that protected against invaders by boat.

White & Blue Nile

The Blue Nile and White Nile are two tributaries (or branches) of the Nile that flow from the South into what is referred to as the "Nile proper" which is the longest river in the world. Both branches are named for the color of their water. The White Nile is longer.

The Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid at Giza was built for the pharaoh Khufu. This was the biggest pyramid. At the time it was built, it was the tallest manmade structure (over 480 feet tall). One of the 7 wonders of world.

Importance of Nile River

The Nile River was important to the ancient Egyptians because it was essential for their survival. Most of Egypt was a desert and very little rain fell in the region. The Nile provided both *water* for drinking and irrigation & *fertile soil* for farming. When the Nile flooded Upper Egypt every year, it spread *silt* to the land which made that land ideal for farming. Also, the Nile was used for *travel* all over Egypt and also for *trade.* Also, mud from the Nile was used to make *bricks for building.*

Nile River: Cataracts

The Nile flowed through rocky, hilly land which caused cataracts (or rapids) to form. The first cataract is located on the southern border of upper Egypt. Five more cataracts lay further south. *Total of 6 cataracts on Nile*

Nile River: How if flows

The longest river in the world. over 4000 miles. Flows from South to North ---begins in central Africa and runs north through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.

Nile River: Natural Barriers

There were *deserts* to the east and west of the Nile River, and *mountains* to the south. These natural barriers protected the ancient Egyptians from invaders. *Cataracts* in the Nile also made it difficult for invaders to sail into Egypt.

Purpose of Pyramids

Tombs for their rulers. The Egyptians believed that burial sites, especially royal tombs, were very important. The most spectacular royal tombs were the pyramids. Shape of pyramid represented sun's rays and reflected the eye of the sun god, Ra.