Ancient Egypt was located along the fertile Nile River valley. The predictable flooding of the Nile provided rich farmland and three distinct seasons. Egypt had a polytheistic religion that was intertwined with government, with the Pharaoh viewed as a living god. Society was organized around agriculture along the Nile, with surplus crops supporting trade and those unable to work. Egypt developed into three main periods or kingdoms - the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms - during which time it built pyramids, established hieroglyphics, and became a powerful empire and trade hub before eventually declining due to internal and external forces.
2. Location Egypt was located in the Nile River Floodplain Predictable flooding Fertile farmland Three Seasons of the Nile Farming Season Floodwaters disappear which left rich farmland Harvest Season Farmers harvest crops Flood Season No one could work because their farmland was flooded so they worked for the Pharaoh Silt was deposited into the soil during the floods for the Farming Season
3. Religion Polytheistic Pharaoh was divine Egyptians belief in an afterlife led to mummification “Book of the Dead” outlines requirements for afterlife Pyramids represent importance of afterlife in Egyptian thought
4. Government Bureaucracy Pharaoh a living god Vizier chief administrator of Pharaoh’s government Local nobility and priests administer government responsibilities
5. Economics Nile river = strong economy Fertile farmland from silt deposits meant enough crops for the entire year Surplus used for trade and to support the less fortunate Season of flood meant farmers worked for Pharaoh Middle Kingdom began to become a world trade power
6. Old Kingdom EgyptThe Pyramid Age2600 BC – 2150 BC 2600 BC 1st Pyramid Building Tombs of Pharoahs 2500 BC Great Pyramids & Sphinx constructed at Giza Hieroglyphics standardized 2100 BC Regional nobles competed for control Dynasty loses control
7. Middle Kingdom EgyptWorld Trading Power2100 BC – 1700 BC 2000 BC Egypt becomes an international power by reconquering Nubia and expanding trade routes Foreigners called Hyksos from eastern Mediterranean settle in Egypt during good times 1500 BC Hyksos eventually gain control of Lower Egypt Native Egyptians still control Upper Egypt from Thebes
8. New Kingdom Egypt The Age of Empire1550 BC – 1075 BC 1550 BC Rulers from Thebes reassert control and drive out Hyksos Expand borders of Egypt in military campaign designed to strengthen the empire Take control of Nubia 1400 BC Leading military power in the region Many surrounding areas such as Nubia, Assyria, and Babylon had to pay gifts to Egypt 1320 Ramses II Strong, warrior Pharaoh
