Ancient Egypt Notes

  • Egyptians relied on the NileRiver.
  • The NileRiver provided fish and supported plants and animals.
  • 2 rivers join to make the Nile (Blue Nile and White Nile)
  • The NileRiver is the world’s longest river and flows from the south to the north.

A Sheltered Land

  • Shortly before the Nile reaches the Mediterranean Sea it divides into branches call a delta.
  • SaharaDesert – largest desert in the world
  • Egypt was naturally protected from enemies because it was surrounded by deserts, rivers, deltas and cataracts (rapids).

The River People

  • Used papyrus to make baskets, sandals, river rafts, and paper.
  • Developed geometry to measure land
  • Floods watered the land and provided fertile soils for crops to grow.

Hieroglyphics

  • Egyptians developed their own writing that was made up of sound and picture symbols.
  • Only scribes were taught to write.
  • Men were allowed to become scribes.

A United Egypt

  • Advances in farming, trade, and craft created a government in Egypt.
  • Villages chiefs were earliest rulers.
  • Eventually some of the village chiefs formed kingdoms.
  • The stronger village chiefs outlasted the weaker village chiefs and eventually Egypt was divided into 2 kingdoms (Upper and Lower Kingom)

Egypt’s Ruling Family

  • 3100 B.C. the 2 kingdoms became 1.
  • Narmer is credited for joining the 2 kingdoms.
  • Over time Egypt is ruled by 31 dynasties for about 2000 years.
  • Dynasty – time of rule from 1 family.

Early Egyptian Life

  • Social classes set up as a pyramid.
  • Social Classes from top to bottom:

Pharoah

Priests and nobles

Traders, shopkeepers, artisans, and scribes

Farmers and herders

Unskilled workers

  • Higher on the pyramid – the more money you had
  • Middle class ran businesses and sold goods.
  • Farmers made up large part of population.
  • Unskilled workers carried cargo from boats to market.
  • Diets of bread, beer, vegetables, and fruits
  • Father was the head of the family.
  • Girls learned to sew and cook form mothers.
  • Boys learned farming and other trades from fathers.
  • Children did not attend school and played various games.

Location

  • Located in northern Africa
  • NileRiver runs through it
  • South of Mediterranean Sea
  • West of Red Sea
  • Defenses – Nile delta, SaharaDesert, EasternDesert, Nile Cataracts
  • Egyptian economy – farming and trading.