Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile Mr Stowinsky World

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile Mr. Stowinsky World History

Nile River Valley Had deposits of granite, sandstone, and limestone – building materials l Surrounded by ocean and desert – natural barriers from invaders l Isthmus of Suez allowed trade from Asia, and also eventually invasion l

The Nile River Flows from south to north l Provided transportation and a shipping route l Gave water to the Egyptians l Gave rich soil for growing crops l

Early Steps Toward Civilization l Hieroglyphics – over 600 picture symbols used for writing l Translated l using the Rosetta Stone Papyrus – paper-like material made from the papyrus plant

Egyptian Kingdoms l l l Lower Egypt – in the north Upper Egypt – in the south REMEMBER! The Nile flowed from south to north. Menes united Upper & Lower Egypt Dynasty – family of rulers Pharaoh – “great house. ” Egyptian leader with absolute power.

The Old Kingdom About 2680 BC – 2180 BC l The Great Sphinx and the largest pyramids were built l Two classes: l l Lower class – peasants & farmers l Upper class – royalty, priests, scribes, government officials l Ended by civil wars, the First Intermediate Period

The Middle Kingdom 2050 BC – 1650 BC l “The Golden Age” of Egypt – stability and prosperity l Ended by the invading Hyksos who conquered much of egypt with new weapons l l Bow l Chariot l Second Intermediate Period

New Kingdom 1570 BC – 1080 BC l Strong pharaohs threw the Hyksos out of Egypt l Egypt became an empire – A single person or nation rules over many other people or nations l

New Kingdom l l l Hatshepsut – The first woman pharaoh Thutmose III – Grew the Egyptian empire to its largest size Amenhotep IV – changed Egyptian religion to believe in only one god, Aton l l Changed his name to Akhenaton Polytheism – belief in many gods Monotheism – belief in one god After Amenhotep’s death, they changed back to the old religion

Egypt’s Decline Ramses II – the last great pharaoh – kept the empire strong and had many temples built l Many people began attacking Egypt – Sea Peoples, Assyrians, Nubians, Persians l By 300 BC Egyptians no longer had power over Egypt l