Egypt

• Where is Egypt located?

  In the northeastern part of Africa
• What environmental conditions does Egypt experience?

  It is surrounded by deserts and seldom experiences rain
• What is significant about the Egyptian Civilization?

  • One of the richest and most magnificent civilizations
  • Emerged in a challenging environment
• What geographical feature did ancient Egyptians build their communities beside?

  The Nile River
• Why did Egyptians depend on the Nile River?

  They relied on its yearly flooding for agriculture
• Where did the Nile waters come from?

  From melted ice in East Africa and heavy rains in Central Africa
• What is Kemet?

  Kemet means "black land," suitable for farming
• What types of animals did ancient Egyptians catch from the marshes?

  Ducks and geese
• What was papyrus used for in ancient Egypt?

  Making different products like ropes and baskets
• When did Egyptians start to farm and build communities around the Nile?

  In 5000 B.C.E.
• What happened to the small kingdoms established by ancient Egyptians over time?

  • Smaller kingdoms were conquered by larger ones
  • By 4000 B.C.E., two big kingdoms emerged: Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt
• Who occupied Lower Egypt around 3000 B.C.E.?

  Menes, King of Upper Egypt
• What are the three periods historians divided the history of unified Egypt into?

  The Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom
• What characterized the Old Kingdom of Egypt?

  • Lasted from 2686 to 2181 B.C.E.
  • Centralized government formed under Menes
  • Known as the Age of Pyramids
• What does the term "pharaoh" mean?

  Great house
• What was the belief about the pharaoh in ancient Egypt?

  He was considered a god and the son of the sun god Ra
• What role did the vizier play in ancient Egyptian government?

  The vizier was the chief overseer who implemented the pharaoh's orders
• What was the primary purpose of building pyramids in ancient Egypt?

  To serve as grand tombs for the pharaohs
• What does the construction of pyramids reflect about the Egyptian civilization?

  • Economic and political stability
  • Ability to fund large projects
  • Organized government managing large workforce
• What were some causes of the fall of the Old Kingdom?

  The extravagance of the pharaoh and draining of the kingdom’s coffers
• What characterized the Middle Kingdom of Egypt?

  • Began in 2040 B.C.E. under Amenemhet
  • Unified Upper and Lower Egypt
  • Capital moved to Thebes
• What agricultural advancement occurred during the Middle Kingdom?

  Implementation of irrigation projects
• What territory did Amenemhet occupy during the Middle Kingdom?

  Nubia, which was rich in gold
• What facilitated Egyptian trade during the Middle Kingdom?

  Canals constructed between the Nile River and the Red Sea
• What happened around 1630 B.C.E. in Egypt?

  Hyksos attacked Egypt using chariots and copper weapons
• How long did the Hyksos rule Lower Egypt?

  About 70 to 100 years
• What was the outcome of the Hyksos conquest?

  • Egyptians maintained power in Upper Egypt
  • They learned to use the weapons and chariots of the Hyksos
  • Ahmose led the Egyptians to defeat the Hyksos
• What characterized the New Kingdom of Egypt?

  • Lasted from 1570 to 1090 B.C.E.
  • Marked by progressive and powerful pharaohs
  • Included significant military and territorial expansion
• Who was Ahmose I and what did he achieve?

  • Pharaoh from 1570-1546 B.C.E.
  • Defeated the Hyksos and unified Egypt
• What were the achievements of Thutmose I?

  • Reigned from 1525-1512 B.C.E.
  • Expanded territories to the Euphrates River
  • First pharaoh to build a tomb in the Valley of Kings
• What is significant about Hatshepsut?

  • Reigned from 1503-1482 B.C.E.
  • First female pharaoh
  • Led the largest trading expedition to the kingdom of Punt
• What was Thutmose III known for?

  • Reigned from 1504-1450 B.C.E.
  • Expanded the Egyptian Empire to its greatest extent
  • Conquered enemies in Syria and Nubia
• What did Amenhotep IV promote during his reign?

  • Reigned from 1378-1362 B.C.E.
  • Encouraged worship of one god, Aton
  • Changed his name to Akhenaton
• What is notable about Tutankhamun's reign?

  • Reigned from 1361-1352 B.C.E.
  • Became pharaoh at age nine
  • Revived traditional Egyptian religions
• What was Rameses II known for?

  • Reigned from 1304-1237 B.C.E.
  • Known as Rameses the Great
  • Led successful warfare against the Hittites
• What did Rameses III achieve during his reign?

  • Reigned from 1198-1166 B.C.E.
  • Last warrior pharaoh
  • Saved Egypt from the "sea people"
• What happened after the reign of Rameses III?

  • Egypt was ruled by weak pharaohs
  • Occupied by various groups including Nubians, Assyrians, Persians, and Macedonians
• Who was the last ruler of Egypt before it fell to the Roman Empire?

  Cleopatra VII
• How was Egyptian society structured?

  • Upper class: pharaoh, priests, nobles
  • Middle class: artisans, scribes, traders, tax collectors
  • Lower class: farmers
• What was the ancient writing system invented by the Egyptians?

  Hieroglyphics