Ancient Egypt

Pre-dynastic development of civilization/1st period of ancient egypt Old Kingdom dev. of egyptian culture Characteristics for egyptian religion religion explains everything (legend of osiris) Polytheistic (multiple gods) Anthropomorphic (animal like traits)  creation stories why do egyptians believe in anthropomorphic gods? Animals had more power than humans and gave them each power book of dead main religious text guide for living and dead showed how to receive the after life gift what was opening of the mouth ceremony? they “slashed” the mouth open to use all senses in the afterlife and re-awaken you how many commandments did they have to sin for? 42 what was the weighing of the heart ceremony? Final stage/ if your heart weighed more or less than a feather you would be eaten by Ammit, but if it balanced you would be granted into after life Mummification hot dry sands naturally mummified corpses if body is still here so is the soul Burial process duplicated the process artificially using resin, linen natron, salt, and removal of organs. Canopic jars used to store the internal organs  Preservation was essential for maintaining afterlife Evolution of Pyramids complexity, size, and shape show divinity, religious ideas, and the whole strength/economic health of old kingdom. Mastabas mud brick tombs used in Pre-dynastic period and early Old-Kingdom. Step Pyramid King Djoser built the first pyramid smaller mastabas on top of it  Imhotep designed it Used STONE the pyramid was never stopped working on until Djoser died because of his status First true smooth pyramid King Snefru first attempt: top was missing and was laid on unsettled bedrock wanted the pyramid to be the shape of the sun rays; smooth pyramid Great Pyramid of Giza king khufu most perfect pyramid points goes to sun god Ra drought, famine, chaos occured economically which caused the pyramids to change 500 FT positioning Head facing East for birth of sunrise Feet facing West for death for sunset Pyramids MEYDUM was the first pyramid built meydum        bent pyramid red pyramid  NONE OF THESE WERE PERFECT Last Pyramids Khafre/471 FT Menkaure/200 FT Pepi = 40 FT NILE STOPS FLOODING Pyramids stop being built bc of population, resources, and labor slow down 1st Intermediary Period 80 year period of chaos, civil war, and starvation caused by poor leadership of Pepi II and drought Mentuhotep II restored order by “making” the nile flood again Middle Kingdom END OF ISOLATION/CONTACT WITH OTHER CULTURES King Admenhemet began building canals that would let Egypt trade gold from Nubia and sail down coastline Canals could be used against Egypt for invasion 2nd Intermediary Pyramid Caused = INVASION Nubians invaded and controlled parts of upper egypt Hyksos invaded Lower egypt gradually Egyptians maintained power around Thebes Hyksos/Egypt/Nubians Egypt 1. strongest 2. smartest 3. rulers communicated with gods for favors Nile to flood was the biggest wish gods were asked Kings claimed they were gods symbols of the gods crook - reward flail - punish Mamissi statues that show the birth story of the pharaoh to convince that gods were present at their birth Marriage siblings would marry to keep the royal name in leadership Benefits loyalty = stability military = fearless New Kingdom: Empire building Ahmose and Khamose (brothers) reunited egypt after 2nd illness Ahmose expanded egypt’s boundaries past 2nd cataract and across Sinai Peninsula 2 wheeled chariots and new bronze weapons helped people become fierce warriors Hatshepsut First female pharaoh with full authority expanded egypts trade which led to great wealth cliff side tomb in valley of kings died from obesity/diabetic or cancer not murdered but hated and have no pharaohship record left behind at first bc she wasn’t in her tomb Akhenaton (Ahmotep IV) believed sun god, Aten, was the only god. Atenism. changed the egyptians from polytheistic to monotheistic changed his name to honor Aten had a “vision” of aten which is why everything happened could be inspired by judaism people went to priests which is why he consolidated power (rid of other gods to get rid of church) moved the capital city to where he “met” Aten/named it Akhetaten First pharaoh to want to be seen as himself and not god like in his visual representative 3 miles in and 8 miles wide 4 large palaces  after death subjects destroyed his tomb and town/abandoned King Tut moved everyone back to Thebes Changed his name once they came polytheistic again buried not in his tomb tomb discovered by Howard Carter in 1922 died at 19 tomb was never touched but raided once before a flood burned from rushed/unproper mummification Buried in Ay’s tomb and Ay was buried in his. ramses ii 150-200 children  warrior pharaoh Egypt Weakens after ramses ii the empire slowly came apart egyptians were defeated by Kushites, assyrians, greeks, romans, and muslims the Ptolomeic dynasty - rosetta stone invasion of egypt caused downfall What river was crucial for the development of civilization in Ancient Egypt? - The Nile River, which is 4,100 miles long and flows north into the Mediterranean Sea. What natural event contributed to the fertility of the Nile River's banks? - The predictable flooding of the Nile, which created rich black mud. What agricultural advantage did North Africa's climate provide? - A warm, dry climate perfect for grain crops, allowing for long growing seasons and agricultural societies. What were 'nomes' in the context of Ancient Egypt? - Administrative regions that began to develop along the banks of the Nile. Who united Upper and Lower Egypt around 4100 B.C.? - King Menes, establishing the world's first centralized government. What symbol did King Menes create to represent the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt? - A crown that was 'united' to symbolize one king ruling over everything. What writing system was developed in Ancient Egypt? - Hieroglyphics, which were written on papyrus and carved into stone. Who deciphered the Rosetta Stone? - Jean Francois Champollion, with the first word deciphered being 'Ramses.' What is the Great Sphinx of Giza associated with? - Pharaoh Khafre, serving as a guardian for the pyramid complex. What is the legend of Osiris about? - Osiris, the king of Maat, is killed by his brother Set, and later resurrected by Isis with the help of Thoth and Anubis. What role did animals play in Ancient Egyptian culture? - Animals were believed to have more power than humans and were associated with divine qualities. What was a significant military achievement during the Middle Kingdom? - Sesostris expanded and strengthened Egypt into Nubia, becoming a powerful conqueror. What challenges did Egypt face during the New Kingdom? - Loss of culture due to invasions, taxes, and famine from climate change.