2. Egypt Unites • In the beginning, Egypt was separated into two kingdoms: – 1. Lower Egypt – 2. Upper Egypt
3. Lower Egypt Upper Egypt
4. King Menes • Established a capital, Memphis • Established first Egyptian Dynasty • Unites Upper and Lower Egypt
5. United United lower and upper Egypt and wore a crown that symbolized its united kingdom
6. Pharaohs • Egyptian kings = pharaohs • The Egyptians viewed their pharaohs the same as the gods –KINGS WERE GODS • Stood as center of religion as well as government and army • Type of Government = Theocracy
7.
8. Trade • By 3200 BC, Egyptians were trading with the Mesopotamians • Also traded up and down the Nile – Gold – Ivory – Cattle – Granite blocks
9. Religion • Polytheistic • 2,000 gods and goddesses • Built huge temples to honor gods • Believed in afterlife – Osiris – god of the dead
10.
11. Social • Very different from the city- states of Mesopotamia • Egypt’s united kingdom allowed –High degree of unity –Stability –Cultural continuity (staying the same)
12. Life in Egyptian Society Pharaoh Royal Advisor Priests Traders/Merchants Ordinary Citizens Slaves
13. Intellectual • Developed writing = hieroglyphics –Pictographic writing system • Developed written numbers for recording taxes –Addition, subtraction
14.
15.
16. Achievements • Knowledge in math = skillful engineers – Pyramids – Palaces • Egyptian Architects first to use stone columns in homes, palaces and temples • 12 month, 365 day calendar from studying the stars – So accurate it was only 6 hours off from today’s calendar year
17.
18.
19. Geography • Nile River – 4,100 miles long, flows northward • Every year in July the river flooded REGULARLY leaving behind rich soil. • The Nile is the longest river in the world! • Forbidden Deserts on either side of the Nile = Natural barriers