Chapter 5: Egypt and Kush

Lesson 1: The Nile River

Bell Ringer

What do you think early settlers of Egypt did when they found the Nile River?

The Nile River Valley Egypt and Kush were developing in Africa at the

same time as Mesopotamian civilizations Egypt and Kush were unique, but influenced each

other over the years

Valley Civilization Nile River valley was very fertile First settled around 5000 BC

Settled by earliest Egyptians and Kushites

Early Egyptians settled the norther region They called it Kemet, meaning “black land” after the

color of the soil

The Gift of the RiverStructures built by Egyptians have survived

due to hot, dry climateLittle rain fall meant the Nile was the only

source of waterThey called it “the creator of all good”

The Nile River flows about 4,000 milesLongest river in the worldConsidered the “life blood” of EgyptMade up of two rivers

White Nile

Blue Nile

Travel is made difficult by cataracts – fast moving waters

A Protected Land The Nile River splits into many branches just

before the Mediterranean Sea Creates a delta – fan shaped area of fertile land

Located between two very dry deserts Libyan Desert and Eastern Desert

Two largest deserts in the world

Kept Egypt isolated from invaders

Cataracts protected Egypt from enemy ships Deltas – protected from invaders from the

Mediterranean sea Egypt developed peacefully due to lack of

invasions The Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea allowed

them to travel for trade

Use this graphic organizer to explain how the deserts, delta, and cataracts protected Egypt

from invaders.

People of the RiverDid not have to tame the Nile like

Mesopotamians tamed the Tigris and EuphratesThe Nile’s floods were consistent

Predictable FloodsFlooding was common

Less destructive, wouldn’t destroy homes and crops

After floods, farmers took advantage of left over fertile soil

How Did Egyptians Farm?Planted wheat, barley, flax seeds while

soil was wetUsed canals to carry water during dry

seasonsCreated shadoofs – a bucket attached

to a pole to carry water from the NileStill use these today

Gathered papyrus – a reed plant that grew along the NileUsed for rope, sandals, baskets, and raftsLater used to create PAPER

Use this diagram to show the differences and similarities between Egyptian and Mesopotamian farming.

How Did Egyptians Write?Developed writing system like

Mesopotamiansmade up of thousands of pictures and symbols

for soundsThis language was called Hieroglyphics

Few Egyptians knew how to read/writeSome men became scribesWrote or painted on papyruscarved into stone walls/monuments

Uniting EgyptGrew surpluses of food due to geographic

protectionExtra food led to specialization Began to trade with distant civilizations

Forming KingdomsNeeded organized government to control life

Repairing irrigation systems, storing food for famine, settle disputes

Groups of villages formed under a KingEgypt developed into two kingdoms

Upper Egypt – located south along the Nile

Lower Egypt – located north in the delta area

Who was Narmer?

King of Upper Egypt around 3100 BC

Conquered lower Egypt

Unified the two kingdoms

Established a new capital at Memphis

Memphis was on the border of Upper and Lower Egypt

Was a center of culture and government

Narmer’s kingdom lasted almost 3,000 years

Ruled by dynasty – a line of rulers from one family

30 dynasties ruled from 3100 BC to 332 BC

Organized into 3 time periods: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom

Usually had a stable governemtn

Reflect: How did the separate kingdoms of Egypt unite?

Chapter 5

Lesson 2

Bell Ringer

Use this graphic organizer to show examples of methods Egyptians used to farm.

Egypt’s Early Rulers Old Kingdom

Lasted from 2600 BC – 2200 BC

Ruled by a theocracy – a government where the ruler is both the political and religious leader

Pharaoh in Government The ruler was called the pharaoh, had total power

Bureaucrats – were government officials who carried out the pharaoh’s orders

Tax payments of grain were collected from farmers

Pharaoh in Religion The Pharaoh was believed to be a god on Earth

participated in ceremonies to help the success of Egypt

Religion in Egypt Influenced every aspect of life

Practiced polygamy like the Mesopotamians Re – the sun god

Hapi – the river god

Osiris – god of the underworld

Thoth – god of learning

Believed in the afterlife

“Wheat and barley shall be given unto him therein,

And he shall flourish there just as he did upon earth.”

- Egyptian description of the afterlife.

The Afterlife Believed to be very positive and

peaceful Pharaohs would continue to

protect Egypt after death Osiris granted all people hope for

afterlife Believed the body protected the

soul Practiced embalming to protect the

soul in the afterlife

Open your books to page 111. As a group, use this style of graphic organizer to describe the

process of EMBALMING from beginning to end.

Medical Skills Learned from embalming Doctors used splints, bandages, and compresses Wrote the first medical books

Pyramid Tombs Built to honor and protect the pharaohs

Protected bodies from floods, animals, and thieves

Contained personal belongings of the pharaos Weapons, furniture, clothes, jewelry

How Were the Pyramids Built? Thousands of workers over many years Mostly done over summer when the Nile flooded Imhotep was the first engineer to build the

pyramids

Turn to page 114 and let’s discuss the process of placing the stones used to build the pyramids.

Important Discoveries Used astronomy to determine which way North

was Invented a 365 day calendar, with 12 months Invented written number system based on 10

Daily Life Egypt had a population of 5 million people

Mostly lived in the river valley and delta

Social Groups - determined by roles in society Highest Class – The Pharaoh

Upper Class – Priests, Nobles, Army Commanders Had expensive houses/clothes/jewelry and servants

Middle Class – Traders, Artisans, Scribes Smaller homes and dressed simpler

Lower Class – Farmers and Herders Rented land from upper class

Homes were very small

Lowest – Unskilled workers Largest class

Performed manual labor – involving physical effort

Egyptian FamiliesFamily groups were extremely importantFather was the head of the familyWomen held similar legal status to men

Very different to other civilizationsCould hold positions as high as a priest

Children rarely attended schoolGirls learned to cook/sewBoys learned their father’s trade

Reflect: What class do you think teachers belonged to in ancient Egypt?

Exit Ticket

One topic I learned about was ____________, which was significant during __________

because ________________. One topic that is related to this is _____________, which is related

because _____________. Another topic that is related is ___________, which is related because

___________. One question I still have is _____________.

Chapter 5

Lesson 3

Bell Ringer

Explain why the Egyptians built the pyramids and how it was supposed to protect the people inside.

A Golden Age 2200 BC – pharaohs weaken in Memphis 200 years of nobles fighting over power A new dynasty establishes the Middle Kingdom

Lasts from 2055 BC – 1650 BC

Conquests Conquered Nubia to the south and Syria to the

northeast Required tribute from newly conquered people Increased amount of farm land Built more canals to increase water supply and

trade

The Arts Flourish Arts and architecture thrived during the Middle Kingdom Many structures were painted and statues of pharaohs built Pharaohs were buried in cliffs west of the Nile River rather

than pyramids Known as “The Valley of the Kings”

The Hyksos 1600s BC – Civil war divides Egypt, ending era of peace Hyksos invade weakened Egypt from western Asia Defeated Egyptian soldiers and controlled Egypt

Used chariots and bronze/iron weapons

Controlled Egypt for 100 years Egyptians planned to overthrow them

1550 BC Prince Ahmose forms an army and defeats the Hyksos

Learned to use Hyksos weapons and chariots

Building an Empire Ahmose founds a new dynasty – The New

Kingdom Lasts from 1550 BC – 1070 BC

Prospers from trade and conquests No longer isolated

Reaches its most powerful heights

A Woman Pharaoh 1473 – Queen Hatshepsut comes to power

Ruled on behalf of her nephew

Needed to prove she was worthy to be pharaoh Wore traditional clothes of male pharaohs Built many temples and restored old ones

Growth of Trade Hatshepsut favored trade over war

Traveled to Arabia and East Africa

Incense – produces a pleasant smell when burned

Valued wood due to a lack of it in the Nile River Valley

Traded with the Phoenicians east of the Mediterranean Sea

Trade and Politics The Phoenicians traded Egyptian goods with others across

southwest Asia

Hatshepsut used wealth from this trade to build new monuments

Developed ties with other nearby kingdoms through treaty or marriage

Babylonians in Mesopotamia

Mittani in Syria

Hittites in Anatolia

Exchanged envoys – a government representative to another country

First time groups of nations worked together for a common goal

Expanding the EmpireThutmose III becomes pharaoh after

HatshepsutExpanded Egyptian control and wealth

North to the Euphrates RiverSouth into NubiaCaptures a total of 350 cities

Slavery becomes very commonCould own land, marry, and eventually gain

freedom

Two Unusual Pharaohs Amenhotep IV

Came to power around 1370 BC

Changes religion to one god with support of his wife Nefertiti Believed priests had grown too powerful and wealthy

Worshipped Aton – the sun god

Changed name to Akhenaton – “spirit of Aton”

Egyptians are not pleased with this

Egypt lost most land in western Asia due to weakness

King Tutankhamen Came to power around 1360 BC at 10 years old

Restored polygamy as religion

The most famous pharaoh of all

Tomb was discovered with many treasures

Recovery and Decline 1200s BC – pharaohs try to restore greatness through

trade, war, and building

Ramses II Ruled from 1270 BC – 1213 BC

Most successful during this time

Conquered land to the north

Age of Temples Ramses and others built many temples

Karnak at Thebes – huge columned halls Still exists today

Temples were used for special occasions and as banks

Why Did Egypt Decline? After Ramses II, Egypt declines – becomes

weaker Pharaohs fought costly wars Controlled only the Nile Delta by 1150 BC Finally conquered completely by Kush in 670 BC

Reflection: Describe how religion changed in Egypt under Akhenaton and Tutankhamen.

Exit Ticket

One topic I learned about was ____________, which was significant during __________

because ________________. One topic that is related to this is _____________, which is related

because _____________. Another topic that is related is ___________, which is related because

___________. One question I still have is _____________.

Chapter 5

Lesson 4

Bell Ringer

List one accomplishment for each of the following pharaohs:

1. Hatshepsut

2. 2. Thutmose III

3. 3. Amenhotep IV

4. 4. Tutankhamen

5. 5. Ramses II

The Nubians Nubia was located south of Egypt along the Nile River

First settled in 2000 BC by cattle herders Savannas – grassy plains

Did not rely on the Nile Lands received rainfall year round

Skilled hunters with the bow and arrow

Rise of Kerma Strong villages conquered the weak and created the

Kingdom of Kerma

Grew wealthy from agriculture and gold

Developed strong ties with Egypt through trade

Also buried pharaohs in tombs with valuables

Egyptian Invasion 1400s BC – Egypt conquers Nubia after 50 year

war Ruled for 700 years

Nubians adopted many Egyptian traditions Religion, hieroglyphics, tools

The Kushite Kingdom Nubians broke away during Egypt’s weak Middle

Kingdom 850 BC – Nubians for the kingdom of Kush

Capital was called Napata

Located along a major trade route Grew very wealthy through trade

Kush Conquers Egypt 750 BC – King Kashta invaded Egypt

Died before end of the war

728 BC - Piye, son of Kashta, completes the conquest of Egypt

Founds 25th dynasty to rule Egypt

Admired Egyptian culture Worshipped same gods, built pyramids as tombs

Using Iron Kush ruled Egypt for 60 years 671 BC – Assyrians take Egypt from Kush using iron

weapons Kushites then learn how to make iron from the

Assyrians Farming and weaponry advance because of this

The Capital of Meroe 540 BC – capital city is moved to Meroe

Close to cataracts, protects them from invasion

Nile River allows for transportation and trade

Becomes a center of iron production

Designed to look like Egyptian cities

A Trading Center Meroe was the center of African trade routes

Traded many unique African goods with Arabia, China, Rome, and India

Textiles – woven cloth

Remained a great trading kingdom for 600 years

Destroyed by Axum in 350 AD

Reflect: How did the use of iron affect Kush?

Exit Ticket

One topic I learned about was ____________, which was significant during __________

because ________________. One topic that is related to this is _____________, which is related

because _____________. Another topic that is related is ___________, which is related because

___________. One question I still have is _____________.