Ancient Egypt
“Egypt is the Gift of the Nile”
Herodotus: 400 BC (Greek Historian)
The Nile River
The Nile River is the world’s longest running river!
The Nile River
The Nile River runs continually
for over 4400 Miles!
The Nile River
The Blue Nile and the
White Nile are the source
rivers of the true Nile.
In ancient times the Nile
River flowed through Nubia
first and then through
Egypt!
White Nile
The Main source of the
White Nile is Victoria
Lake.
Lake Victoria lies deep in
the middle of the African
continent along the
borders of Tanzania,
Kenya and Uganda
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the source of the White Nile River
Victoria Falls
The largest waterfall in the world!
http://zimbabwe.places.co.za/victoria-falls.html?url=vicfalls
Blue Nile
Lake Tania
The Blue Nile originates at Lake Tania in the Ethiopian Highlands!
Blue Nile
Lake Tania – located in the Ethiopian Highlands - is the source of the Blue Nile!
Blue Nile
The Blue Nile picks up dark fertile soil along its path.
It carries this rich muddy soil to the main trunk of the river!
Khartoum
Khartoum:
Where the White Nile and the Blue Nile converge!
The Nile River
At Khartoum the Blue Nile and the White Nile meet to
form the main trunk of the Nile River
Lower Egypt
Lower Egypt is located in the northern area of Egypt!
Upper Egypt
Upper Egypt is located in the region to the south of Lower Egypt!
The terminology "Upper" and "Lower" derives from the flow of the Nile from the
highlands of East Africa northwards to sea level and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Nile River
The Nile’s current
flows from
South to North!
The Nile River
The “Etesian Winds” of Egypt blow South!
The Nile River
Rich Fertile soil stretches approximately 6 miles out
from each side of the river bank.
The Nile River
After you travel approximately 6 miles from the river
you reach mountains and desert!
The Desert
If you travel past the nearby mountains you reach
the uninhabitable open desert!
The Nile River
An overhead view of Egypt at night displays how almost all
Egyptian cities and towns are within a few miles of the Nile River!
The Nile River
The Nile River flooded every year between June and September –
in a season the Egyptians called Akhet: - “The Inundation.”
The Inundation
The rich fertile soil left behind after the Nile’s flood was called “Silt!”
It was also called “Kemet” which means “Dark Land”
Cataracts
There are six cataracts along the Nile River!
Cataracts
Cataracts are fast moving white-water rapids!
Cataracts
The first cataract separated ancient Egypt
from ancient Nubia (Sudan)
Cataracts
Between the First and Second cataracts was Lower Nubia!
Between the Second and Sixth cataracts was Upper Nubia!
Lower Nubia
The land of Lower Nubia (Sudan) was mountainous.
It had a relatively low population and had very little fertile ground!
Upper Nubia
Upper Nubia (Sudan) possessed much fertile ground.
It had more kingdoms – cities – towns - and was highly populated
The Natural Boundaries of Egypt
Mediterranean Sea
Sahara Desert
Egypt has four natural protecting
boundaries. The Sahara Desert to
the west. The Eastern Desert to the
east. The Red Sea and the
Mediterranean Sea.
Red Sea
The Sahara Desert
The Sahara desert lies to the west of Egypt. It is the world's largest hot desert
and covers about 3,500,000 square miles of area within its boundaries.
The Eastern Desert
The Eastern Desert lies to the east of Egypt.
It was once known as the Eastern Sahara Desert.
The Red Sea
The Red Sea covers an area of almost 170,000 miles. For the ancient
Egyptians it provided a strong natural barrier from enemy attack.
Mediterranean Sea
The Nile River empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Sea lies to
the north of Egypt and served as a powerful obstacle against invasion.
Natural Boundaries:
A blessing for ancient Egypt!
Unlike the open areas of Mesopotamia –
where wars and conflict were constant –
The natural boundaries of ancient Egypt . . .
• The Mediterranean Sea
•The Red Sea
•The Sahara Desert
•The Eastern Desert
. . . provided protective barriers against
enemy invasions and attacks. This allowed
the Egyptian civilization to prosper and grow
without outside interference.
The Nile Delta
The Nile Delta is where the river ends. It branches out into numerous
tributaries and streams – emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Nile Delta
The Nile Delta is a triangular shaped strip of waterways
and fertile marshy soil – Great for Farming!
The Nile Delta
The word Delta is derived from the letter D in the
Greek Alphabet!
= Delta
Notes
400 BC - Greek historian Herodotus wrote, “Egypt is the Gift of the Nile!”
The Nile River is the world’s longest running river – 4400 miles.
The Blue Nile and the White Nile are the source rivers of the true Nile.
The Main source of the White Nile is Victoria Lake.
Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world.
The Blue Nile originates at Lake Tania in the Ethiopian Highlands.
The Blue Nile carries rich fertile soil to the main trunk of the Nile River.
The white Nile and the Blue Nile meet at Khartoum to form the main trunk of the Nile.
Lower Egypt is located in the northern area of Egypt.
Upper Egypt is located in the region to the south of Lower Egypt.
The Nile’s current flows from South to North.
The “Etesian Winds” of Egypt blow to the South.
Rich Fertile soil stretches approximately 6 miles out from each side of the river bank.
After you travel approximately 6 miles from the river you reach mountains and desert!
Notes
The Nile River flooded every year between June and September.
The ancient Egyptians called this flood the “ Inundation.”
The rich fertile soil left behind after the Nile’s flood was called “Silt!”
It was also called “Kemet” which means “Dark Land”
There are six cataracts along the Nile River.
Cataracts are fast moving white-water rapids.
The first cataract separated ancient Egypt from ancient Nubia (Sudan).
Between the First and Second cataracts was Lower Nubia! It was mountainous.
Between the Second and Sixth cataracts was Upper Nubia! It possessed fertile land.
The natural boundaries of ancient Egypt - the Mediterranean Sea - the Red Sea the Sahara Desert and the Eastern Desert - provided protective barriers against enemy
invasions and attacks.
The Nile Delta is a triangular shaped strip of waterways that empties into the
Mediterranean Sea. It is covered with fertile marshy soil that is great for farming .
The word Delta is derived from the letter D in the Greek Alphabet.
Ancient Egyptian Rulers
Pharaoh: An ancient Egyptian King!
The Pharaoh had Absolute Power!
The Pharaoh was a god to the people
of ancient Egypt – he was the “Living
Horus” (God who ruled the earth)
Originally the word pharaoh meant
“Royal Palace” or “Great House”
Dynasty
A dynasty is a family of rulers!
It is generational – passed on from one son to the next oldest
son – until a new family and dynasty takes over!
Ancient Egypt had 31 dynasties!
Regent
A Regent rules for a child king until the child is old enough to rule!
Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut was the daughter of
the Pharaoh Thutmose I
She was the stepsister and wife of the
Pharaoh Thutmose II
She was also the Stepmother and
Regent for the Pharaoh Thutmose III
Queen Hatshepsut
Ca. 1479 BC
Hatshepsut declared
Herself Pharaoh!
( Not allowed for Women )
Queen Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for
almost 22 years while her
stepson Thutmose III waited
angrily to take power!
She refused to yield
leadership and ruled
with skill and energy.
Queen Hatshepsut
She had statues created all over
Egypt displaying an image of
herself as a Man!
. . . with a Beard!
Her death in 1458 BC is still a
mystery. Did she die of a
cancer or was she poisoned?
No one knows!
Hatshepsut
The temple at
Deir el-Bahari
Hatshepsut built a complex of mortuary tombs located on the west bank of the
Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, Egypt.
Mummified remains of Queen Hatshepsut
Thutmose III
Stepson of Hatshepsut
Became Pharaoh of Egypt
in 1458 BC
One of ancient Egypt’s
Greatest Rulers
Thutmose III
Thutmose III was ancient Egypt’s greatest conquering Pharaoh!
He conquered Nubia – Phoenicia – Syria - and Mesopotamia!
Thutmose III
He is known as the “Napoleon of Egypt” because of his military genius!
Thutmose III was well educated and loved to read!
He was generous and merciful to the many people he conquered!
Ancient Egypt
Three Major Historical Periods
Old Kingdom
Middle Kingdom
New Kingdom
2700 – 2200 BC
2200 – 1800 BC
1800 – 1100 BC
•Pharaoh Khufu
Built the Great Pyramid
at Giza
• Expansion of Kingdom
Into Nubia
Famous Pharaohs:
• Building Projects
Irrigation – Canal
connecting Nile to Red Sea
• Thutmose III
•Pharaoh Khafre
Built the Great Sphinx
Built 2nd Great Pyramid
at Giza
• God Osiris Supreme
• Pharaoh Menkaure • Book of the Dead becomes
Built 3rd Great Pyramid
guide to the Afterlife
at Giza
• Hatshepsut
• Tutenkhamen
• Ramses II
• Taharka
• Alexander conquers
Egypt 332 BC
Notes
Pharaoh: An ancient Egyptian King - He had Absolute Power – A God: The Living Horus
A dynasty is a family of rulers - Ancient Egypt had 31 dynasties
A Regent rules for a child king until the child is old enough to take power
Hatshepsut: Daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I - stepsister and wife of the Pharaoh
Thutmose II - Stepmother and Regent for the Pharaoh Thutmose III
Hatshepsut was the first woman to declare herself Pharaoh – She ruled for 22 years – She
had statues of herself made in the image of a man with a beard
Thutmose III was the stepson of Hatshepsut – He became Egypt’s greatest conqueror –
Thutmose III was well educated and generous to his defeated foes
Ancient Egypt is divided into 3 Historical Eras: Old Kingdom – Middle Kingdom and
New Kingdom
Old Kingdom Era is best known for the building of the Great Pyramids. These pyramids
were built at Giza by the pharaohs Khufu, his son Khafre, and his grandson Menkaure –
Khafre also built the Great Sphinx
The Middle Kingdom is a time of building projects – new cities – and rise of the god Osiris
The New Kingdom is a time of the most famous pharaohs – the New Kingdom ends when
Alexander the Great conquers Egypt
Ten Famous Pharaohs:
Menes
Khufu
Khafre
Menkaure
Hatshepsut
Thutmose III
Amenhotep
Tutenkhamen
Ramses II
Cleopatra
Menes
ca. 3100 – 3050 BC
Pharaoh and founding king of the first ancient Egyptian Dynasty!
The Pharaoh Menes united the kingdoms of Lower and
Upper Egypt under one Crown!
Khufu
Ca. 2589–2566 BC
The Pharaoh Khufu
(Also known to the Greeks as the Pharaoh Cheops)
Built the “Great Pyramid” at Giza!
Khufu
Khufu’s Great Pyramid was designed as his final resting place – his eternal tomb.
It is the only one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World to still exist!
The Great Pyramid
The Great Pyramid contained over 2,300,000 stone blocks!
Each stone block had an average weight of over 5,000 pounds!
Khafre
The Pharaoh Khafre was the son of Khufu
Khafre built the 2nd Great Pyramid at Giza
In honor of his father – He had his Pyramid
built 2 feet shorter in height
Khafre also built the famous “Great Sphinx”
The Sphinx is the Guardian of the Pyramids
2558 BC and 2532 BC
Khafre
Menkaure
The Pharaoh Menkaure was the son of Khafre
He was the Grandson of Khufu
He built the 3rd and final of the Great Pyramids at Giza!
The Great Pyramids
Hatshepsut
1508–1458 BC
The first woman to declare herself
Pharaoh!
Stepmom and Regent to
Thutmose III!
Ruled for 22 years!
Thutmose III
1479–1425 BC
Stepson of Hatshepsut!
Ancient Egypt’s Greatest
Conquering Pharaoh!
Amenhotep IV - (Akenhaten)
The Pharaoh Amenhotep IV changed
his name to Akhenaten in honor of the
Sun God: Aten
Akhenaten changed the religion of
ancient Egypt!
He banned worship of the ancient Gods
& Goddesses
The people and High Priests were only
allowed to worship the Sun God Aten
The name Akhenaten means
“In Service of the Sun!”
1353–1336 BC
Tutenkhamen
King Tut
Son of Akhenaten
Boy King
Became Pharaoh at age 9
Died at age 18
Ca. 1332–1323 BC,
Tutenkhamen
Tutankhamun is remembered for his tomb in the Valley of the Kings
It was discovered intact by British archaeologist Howard Carter
It was packed with amazing treasure.
Tutenkhamen
Howard Carter discovered King Tut’s tomb in 1922
In the Valley of the Kings
Tutenkhamen
Lord Carnarvon
Lord Carnarvon’s Estate in England
Lord Carnarvon sponsored Howard Carter’s digging expeditions in Egypt
The Tomb of Tutenkhamen
Tutenkhamen
King Tut’s Mummy
Ramses II
The Pharaoh Ramses II
Reigned 1279-1212 B.C
He had over 100 Wives
. . . and 200 children
He lived to the approximate
unheard of age of 96
He conquered the Hittites at the
famous Battle of Kadesh
He built the magnificent
Temple of Abu Simbel
Ramses II
Queen Nefertari
Ramses II was also known as Ramses The Great
The chief queen of Ramses II was Nefertari.
Ramses II
Ramses II Temple at Abu Simbel
Ramses II
Ramses II Mummy!
Cleopatra
Last Ruler of Ancient Egypt
Made Queen by the Roman Leader Julius Caesar
Cleopatra
Last of the Ptolemy Dynasty Rulers
Lover of Julius Caesar
Wife of the Roman Ruler Marc Antony
Cleopatra
After her husband Marc Antony’s defeat and death - Cleopatra committed suicide 30 BC!
Thus ended the last of the 31 dynasties of ancient Egypt!
Rome made Egypt a Roman Province and there were no more Egyptian Pharaohs!
Notes: The Pharaohs
Menes: The first Pharaoh - Founding king of the first ancient Egyptian Dynasty – He united
lower and upper Egypt under one crown
Khufu: (Also known by the Greeks as the Pharaoh Cheops) – Built the “Great Pyramid” at
Giza – The Pyramid contained over 2, 300,000 stone blocks – Each block had an average
weight of over 5,000 pounds – The pyramid was built to be his tomb
Khafre: The Pharaoh Khafre was the son of Khufu – He built the 2nd Great Pyramid at
Giza – Khafre also built the famous “Great Sphinx” as Guardian of the pyramids
Menkaure: The Pharaoh Menkaure was the son of Khafre – He built the third and final of
the Great Pyramids at Giza
Hatshepsut: She was the first woman to declare herself pharaoh – She was the regent to
Thutmose III – She ruled for 22 years
Thutmose III: He was the stepson of Hatshepsut – He is famous for being ancient Egypt’s
greatest conqueror – The “Napoleon of Egypt”
Notes
Amenhotep IV: He changed his name to Akhenaten in honor of the Sun God: Aten - He
banned worship of the ancient Gods & Goddesses - The name Akhenaten means “In
Service of the Sun!”
Tutenkhamen: He was crowned pharaoh at age 9 – He died at age 18 – His tomb was found
in the Valley of the Kings completely intact by Howard Carter in 1922 – Carter’s
expeditions were sponsored by a British Egyptologist, Lord Cararvon
King Tut’s tomb was filled with gold and treasure – Including Tutenkhamen’s world famous
gold Death Mask
Ramses II: Known as Ramses The Great – Had over 100 wives and 200 children – Lived to
the approximate age of 96 – Defeated the Hittites at Kadesh – Built the famous temple at
Abu Simbel
Cleopatra: Last Ruler of Ancient Egypt - Made Queen by the Roman Leader Julius Caesar
Last of the Ptolemy Dynasty Rulers - Wife of the Roman Ruler Marc Antony - Committed
suicide 30 BC - The last ruler of the 31 dynasties of ancient Egypt