Ancient Egypt was located along the fertile Nile River valley. The predictable flooding of the Nile provided rich silt that made the land ideal for agriculture. Farming was based around the seasonal flooding of the Nile. Egypt was united under a dynastic system in which power was passed down families. Major construction projects like the pyramids were built during stable periods like the Old Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom saw Egypt become a world trade power. The New Kingdom expanded Egypt's borders through military campaigns.
2. Location
• Egypt was located in the Nile River Floodplain
• Predictable flooding
• Fertile farmland
• Three Seasons of the Nile
– Season of Going Out
• Floodwaters receded exposing fertile land
• Farmers planted and tended crops
– Season of Harvest
• Farmers harvested crops
• All crops belonged to Pharaoh
• Huge surplus lasted the entire year
– Season of Flood Spring
• Mineral rich silt was carried down stream
from mountains
• Provided very fertile soil
• Farmers spent these months working for the
Pharaoh
3. Pre-Dynastic Period
3200-2600 BC
• Lower Egypt and Upper
Egypt separate kingdoms
united
• Dynastic System develops
(succession of rulers from
the same family or line)
• Ruler (Pharoah)
considered divine
• Irrigation projects lead to
an abundance of food
and population explosion
5. Old Kingdom Egypt
The Pyramid Age 2600 BC – 2150 BC
• Era of Relative Peace and Stability
• Major construction projects
• 2600 BC
– 1st Pyramid Building
– Tombs of Pharaohs
• 2500 BC
– Great Pyramids & Sphinx constructed at
Giza
– Hieroglyphics standardized
– Evidence of graffiti at tombs
• 2100 BC
– Regional nobles competed for control
– Dynasty loses control
7. Middle Kingdom Egypt
World Trading Power 2100 BC – 1700 BC
• 2000 BC
– Strong Pharaohs from Thebes gain control
of the kingdom
– Mentuhotep II regains control over all of
Egypt
– New capital in Lisht
– 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 Empire 1550 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 and the Levant
– Force tribute from Babylon, Assyria and other
neighbors top the East
• 1400 BC
– Amenhotep IV (Akhenaton) attempts to
impose monotheism
• 1320 Ramses II
– Strong, warrior Pharaoh
– Signed treaty with Hittites
9. Reasons for Decline
• Old Kingdom
– Disunity / greed of local nobles
• Middle Kingdom
– Hyksos Conquer
• New Kingdom
– Assyrians Conquer
10. Religion
• Polytheistic
• Fair & predictable gods
• 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
11. Economics
• Nile river the foundation of a strong, stable
economy
• Silt provided enough fertile land to produce
enough crops for the entire population for a full
year
• Surplus used for trade and to support the less
fortunate
• Season of Flood provide a huge urban work
force
• Middle Kingdom began to become a world
trade power