Unit 3: ancient egypt

Geography of Ancient Egypt

ESSENTIAL QUESTION Why was the Nile River important?

• Nile River is 4,160 miles long, the world's longest river - begins near equator in Africa, flows north to Mediterranean Sea

• South has cataracts—waterfalls

• Delta—area near river's mouth; water leaves silt—fine soil

• Heavy rains flooded Nile every summer - soil left on shores was fertile—good for growing crops Red Land, Black Land

• Ancient Egyptians lived in narrow land on sides of Nile - called region the black land because of fertile soil - red land was desert beyond fertile region

• Eight months of year were sunny, hot - four months of winter were sunny, cooler • One inch of rain a year in most of region Isolation

• Desert acted as barrier to enemies

• Sea coast was swampy with no good harbors

• Early Egyptians stayed close to home

REVIEW QUESTION What did the floods of the Nile River provide for farmers?

Ramses’ Reign

Ramses II (The Great Ramses) ruled in 1279 B.C., 44 years after Tutankhamen died

Empire Builder

Wanted to make Egypt powerful through war - extended territory south into Nubia and to eastern Mediterranean

Military Leader • Ramses led army against old Egyptian enemies, the Hittites - nobody won battle, but Ramses claimed victory - negotiated first-known peace treaty with Hittites

Reigned until age 90, 1213 B.C. - 66-year reign was among historyʼs longest, stabilized government

• Reign was time of peace—no enemies after Hittite treaty

• Nile flooding was predictable during reign, crops were plentiful

Egypt’s Decline

• Following Ramsesʼ death, the central government weakened

• After about 1070 B.C., a series of foreign powers ruled Egypt

• Alexander the Great of Macedonia conquered Egypt - Macedonians ruled after Alexanderʼs death - last Macedonian ruler was queen Cleopatra

• Eventually Roman Empire conquered Egypt

Horrible Histories Song - Cleopatra - CBBC

Egyptian Agriculture

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

How did Egyptians use the land around the Nile?

Agricultural Techniques

• Egyptians watched for ibises to determine flood, planting seasons

• Dug irrigation canals to carry water to dry areas - used shadufs to spread water across fields Egyptian Crops

• Grew vegetables, fruits; were first to make bread

• Wove flax plant fibers into linen

• Houses built with bricks of mixed mud and straw - narrow windows, white walls reduced sunlight, heat - sticks, palm trees woven into roof; reed mats covered floor

• Nobles had fancy homes, courtyards, pools

• Poor people cooled off on roof; cooked, ate, slept outside

REVIEW QUESTION What agricultural techniques did ancient Egyptians use?

The Heretic King

Akhenaton became pharaoh in 1353 B.C.

• Raised sun god Aton to highest status, closed other godsʼ temples - for first time in Egyptʼs history, Egyptians worshiped one god

• Priests serving other gods lost power, became angry - to avoid conflict, Akhenaton moved capital 200 miles away - new capital city was called Akhetaton

Realistic Art • Under Akhenaton, art showed realistic pharaohs, not “perfect”

Reform Ends

• Akhenatonʼs new religion didnʼt last long after his death • Three years later, young Tutankhamen (his son) became pharaoh in 1333 B.C. - the young king had advisers to help him rule Egypt - advisors convinced Tutankhamen to reject new religion, worship old gods.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse