Ancient Egypt: Geography, Civilization, and Rulers

Ancient Egypt

Civilization in the Fertile Crescent from 3000-600 BCE

Kush

Upper Nile Valley region with plateaus

Nile River

Longest river in the world, flows through Egypt

Cataracts

Shallow, fast-flowing water with rocks in the Nile

White Nile

One of the main sources of the Nile, begins in Lake Victoria

Blue Nile

Flows down the highlands of Ethiopia to meet the White Nile

Sudan

Present-day country where the White and Blue Nile meet

Sahara Desert

Hot and dry region south of the Nile

Upper Egypt

Southern part of the Nile, narrow valley with cliffs

Lower Egypt

Delta region of the Nile, known for fertile soil

Kemet

Rich dark soil on the banks of the Nile in Egypt

Red Land

Sahara Desert in Egypt, hot and deadly

Narmer

Also known as Menes, united Upper and Lower Egypt

Pharaoh

God-king ruler of ancient Egypt

Old Kingdom

First period of prosperity and cultural achievement in Egypt

Middle Kingdom

Period of political strength and cultural achievement in Egypt

New Kingdom

High point of Egyptian power and prosperity

Assyrians

Invaders of Egypt after the New Kingdom

Persians

Invaders of Egypt after the Assyrians

Greek Empire

Invaders of Egypt after the Persians

Pharaoh's Bureaucracy

System of officials collecting taxes for the pharaoh

Vizier

Head of Egypt's bureaucracy

Social Hierarchy

Egyptian society organized with pharaoh at the top

Slaves

Prisoners of war or debtors forced into labor

Polytheistic

Belief in many gods

Mummification

Process of preserving bodies for the afterlife

Hatshepsut

Female pharaoh who ruled peacefully and built wealth

Thutmose III

Ruler who expanded the Egyptian empire through war

Ramses II

Pharaoh known for his military campaigns and building projects

Ancient Egyptians

believed that the gods controlled every aspect of life