Egypt

Ancient Egypt

Achievements

• Architecture: pyramids, temples & monuments
• Math: calculated area/volume & used geometry for farming
• Writing: hieroglyphics

Society

Rosetta Stone

• 3 Social classes: upper, middle & lower
• Upper: pharaohs, priests & nobles
• Middle: scribes, artisans, merchants & tax collectors
• Lower: farmers & slaves
• Social mobility: ability to change social class

Old Kingdom

• Theocracy
• Pharaoh considered a king & god
• Well organized society
• Thrived on trade
• Decline caused by weak rulers and internal fighting

Middle Kingdom

• 2050 B.C.E
• Egypt reunited by a new dynasty
• Irrigation projects helped provide more farming land
• Launched military campaigns to find more land
• Thrived on trade
• Decline caused by threats of invaders

New Kingdom

Religion

Geography

• Egyptians united against invaders
• Peak of power & glory
• Increase in trade & trade routes
• Government controlled trade
• Decline caused by weak rulers & invasions from nomads

• Polytheistic
• Believed in an afterlife
• Devoted time & money preparing for the afterlife

• Nile River & Delta
• Fertile farming land
• Sahara Desert
• Partially isolated

Politics

• 3 major kingdoms: Old, Middle & New
• Created dynasties
• Ruled by Pharaohs
• Had a group of people to help
• Collected taxes & controlled trade

Image by Tom Mooring