Egypt
A Kingdom on the Nile
Geography
• Examine this satellite image. •What do you see?
•What do the colors represent?
•Why are the colors where they are?
“A Gift of the Nile”
"Egypt is the gift of the Nile," wrote the Greek historian Herodotus. The Nile did indeed provide the Egyptians with many necessities of life and their civilization was built along its fertile shores.
Egyptian and Nubian kingdoms ruled the banks of the Nile for over two thousand years.
Nile River
• Egypt’s main geographic feature – Began in lakes of Africa and flows northward into the Mediterranean Sea – Passes through rocky ledges (cataracts) which causes rapids and small waterfalls – Calms down 750 miles south of the Mediterranean • This 750 mile stretch was ancient Egypt
More Nile River
• Floods every fall, leaving behind fertile layer of silt. • Gave region ability to support an abundant agriculture and large population
Egypt to North
Nubia (Kush)
The Nubians developed remarkable skills in the making of pottery as well as iron weapons and tools. For a brief time, they invaded and controlled Egypt.
Two Egypts
Lower Egypt Lower part of Nile River A Delta region where silt deposited.
Menes (King) Unites Upper & Lower Egypt 3100 B.C.
Upper Egypt “Up” River
Begins at first cataract (waterfall)
Old Kingdom
• Egyptian Kings (Pharaohs) create a strong government. • Government was a bureaucracy
– Who else used a bureaucracy?
• Pyramids were built during this time period
Middle Kingdom
• Not a peaceful, calm period.
• Pharaohs conquered Kush to the South
• Major irrigation systems were created • Egyptian traders had greater contact with Middle Eastern civilizations.
• Eventually, Egypt is conquered by a group called the Hyksos.
New Kingdom
• A period of conflict and growth
– Fights off the Hyksos – Egypt grows to its largest territorial size – Conquers Nubia
• Powerful Rulers
– Hatshepsut: First female pharaoh – Thutmose: A great Egyptian General – Ramses II: built lots of monuments and temples