• About 5,000 years ago, people in Asia and Africa developed systems of writing. They began to keep written records of their experiences. These experiences marked the beginning of History-the written and other recorded events of people.
• Chapter 1 Section 1 Geography and History
Prehistory- is the time before history, before writing was invented.
To learn about life in prehistoric times, scientists must rely on clues other than written records. Archaeologists are scientists who examine objects to learn about past people and past cultures.
These scientists often sift through the dirt of prehistoric camps to find bones, tools, and other objects that might tell them about the people who lived there.
• Chapter 1 Section 1 Geography and History
The written records that are studied by historians often began as oral traditions.
Oral Traditions- stories that are passed down by word of mouth.
Oral traditions are still a big part of many societies, including the present day United States. Think about how many times you have told a friend a story about something that had happened.
• Chapter 1 Section 1 Geography and History
Knowing when something happened is important. Understanding why historic events took place is also important. In order to do this, historians often turn to geography.
Geography- the study of the Earth’s surface and the processes that shape it.
Geography can also refer to the features of a place, including it’s landscape, climate, and location. Knowing the connections between geography and history is often the key to understanding why events happened.
• Chapter 1 Section 1 Geography and History
Example-
The Egyptian civilization was built on the banks of the Nile river in Africa. Each year the Nile flooded, depositing soil on its banks. Because the soil was rich (very good), this allowed farmers to grow enough food feed the large numbers of people within the cities.
• Chapter 1 Section 1 Geography and History Section 1 Review:
• What do scientists study to learn about prehistory?
• What do we know about societies that leave written records?
• What are some examples of geographic features?
• How can geography help us understand history?
• How does geography effect Jacksonville?
• What do the things in your life say about you?
• Chapter 1 Section 2 Prehistory
Earliest Human Culture:
The first use of stone tools began the earliest known period of human culture.
The Stone Age- A period of time during which early humans made lasting tools and weapons mainly from stone.
• Chapter 1 Section 2Prehistory
Between 1,400,000 and 500,000 years ago, our ancestors learned how to use fire. No one knows how they learned. It is possible they did it by rubbing two sticks together.
Many old Stone Age ancestors were nomads. Nomads- people who have no settled home.
• Chapter 1 Section 2Prehistory
Humans moved around from place to place and eventually spread out over much of the Earth. There is evidence that human ancestors were living in Africa and Asia at least 500,000 years ago.
Many scientists believe that modern humans originated more than 100,000 years ago and spread throughout the Earth.
• Chapter 1 Section 2Prehistory
About 11,000 years ago, people in Asia discovered farming. This began the New Stone Age.
It was called the New Stone Age because people began to grow their own food and did not have to be nomads. Stone tools were still used during this time.
• Chapter 1 Section 2Prehistory
Some place were better than other for farming, depending upon the soil. Soil in some areas was fertile or rich.
Fertile- contains many of the substances that plants need to grow.
When people first began planting crops, they carefully picked seeds from the biggest and best tasting plants.
• Chapter 1 Section 2 Prehistory
As farmers picked the best seeds, they began to domesticate plants.
Domesticate- adapt wild plants for human use.
Very gradually, this careful selection of seeds lead to the food that we eat today.
• Chapter 1 Section 2Prehistory
Just as humans learned to domesticate plants, they also learned to domesticate animals.
During the New Stone Age, humans tamed wild animals and used them in valuable ways. For example, one of the earliest species to be domesticated were dogs. Dogs were very valuable for hunting.
• Chapter 1 Section 2 Review
• How did people of the Old Stone Age survive?
• What skills did people of the Old Stone Age use to find food?
• How did survival change as people began to settle?
• What marked the beginning of the New Stone Age?
• How was life different between the Old Stone Age and the New Stone Age?
• Chapter 1 Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization
Long ago, humans learned how to dig trenches in order to move water from the source to places they needed it.
Irrigation- supplying land with water from another place using a network of canals.
• Chapter 1 Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization
Farming was much harder work than hunting and gathering. However, it had far greater rewards.
People who produced their own food could have a steady supply of food year round.
Surplus- more than what is needed.
People often had a surplus of food that could be stored for later use.
• Chapter 1 Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization
Having surplus food also affected the size of families. Hunting and gathering did not allow parents to have many children because they could not feed them. With food surpluses, parents could feed more people.
Due to farming, the world’s population increased as much as 4 times.
• Chapter 1 Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization
People lived in New Stone Age farming settlements for many centuries. As the population increased, settlements grow into towns.
With food surpluses, people did not have to spend all their time producing food. Some people were able to switch from farming into other kinds of work.
• Chapter 1 Section 3Beginnings of Civilization
Artisan- a worker who is especially skilled in crafting items by hand.
Artisans made such items as baskets, leather goods, tools, and cloth.
Although some farming settlements grew into cities, many others did not. Rich soil and dependable water were needed.
• Chapter 1 Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization
Early cities were different than farming villages in some important ways. Cities had large buildings to store surplus food, buildings for the worship of gods, and buildings where people could buy and sell goods.
• Chapter 1 Section 3Beginnings of Civilization
As populations grew, governments formed to keep order in society and provided services. They also settled disputes and managed public buildings.
Over time, New Stone Age societies grew into civilizations.
Civilization- a society that has cities, a central government run by official leaders, and workers who specialize in various jobs.
• Chapter 1 Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization
The Bronze Age:
By 6600 B.C. artisans in Europe and Asia had learned a key skill. They discovered that melting a certain rock at high temperatures would separate the metal copper from the rock. By 3000 B.C. artisans learned to mix copper with tin to make a mixture called bronze.
• Chapter 1 Section 3Beginnings of Civilization
Bronze was much harder than copper and could be used to make items more long-lasting. For example, bronze was used to make weapons, tools, helmets, and shields.
By 3500 B.C. civilizations had developed the wheel and axle. This allowed goods to be transported farther and more easily.
• Chapter 1 Section 3Beginnings of Civilization
Trade over water also developed and merchant ships carried goods across seas and rivers.
Growing trade links brought new riches to cities. These riches lead to the development of social classes.
Social Class- a group of people having similar backgrounds, incomes, and ways of living.
• Chapter 1 Section 3 Beginnings of Civilization
Early Social Classes:
• King or Ruler
• Priests and Nobles (government officials)
• Artisans and Merchants
• Common Farmers and Workers
• Slaves (Household servants and laborers).
• Chapter 1 Section 3 Review Questions
1. How did people’s lives change when they began to produce their own food?
2. What effects did food surpluses have on people and populations?
3.What resources were necessary for villages to grow into cities?
4. What development occurred as societies grew into civilizations?
5. How did wealth lead to social classes?
Chapter 2 Fertile Crescent
• Chapter 2 Section 1 Land Between Two Rivers
The first known schools were set up in the
land of Sumer over 4,000 years ago.
Graduates of the schools became scribes.
Scribe- professional writer
• Chapter 2 Section 1 Land Between Two Rivers
Scribes were important because they kept
the records for the kings and the priests.
The writings of Sumerian scribes help tell
the story of this early civilization.
• Chapter 2 Section 1 Land Between Two Rivers
Geographic Setting:
Sumer was located in a region called Mesopotamia. This land had rich soil and rivers for water. Both of these geographic features made Sumer very popular.
So popular, it became one of the most prosperous areas of the ancient world.
• Chapter 2 Section 1 Land Between Two Rivers
Location of Mesopotamia:
Mesopotamia’s name describes it’s location. The word Mesopotamia comes from the Greek words that mean “between two rivers”
Mesopotamia was located between the Tigris River and the Euphrates River.
• Chapter 2 Section 1Land Between Two Rivers
Mesopotamia is part of the fertile crescent.
Fertile Crescent- a region in Southwest Asia that was home to the world’s fist civilizations.
• Chapter 2 Section 1Land Between Two Rivers
The First Cities:
As farming succeeded in Mesopotamia, communities began to build up surpluses of food. In time, food surpluses encouraged the growth of cities.
By 3500 B.C., some of the earliest known cities arose between the Tigris and the Euphrates.
• Chapter 2 Section 1Land Between Two Rivers
Although cities in Mesopotamia shared a common language and culture, they did not unite under a single ruler. Instead, they remained independent city-states.
City-State- a city that is also a separate, independent state.
• Chapter 2 Section 1 Land Between Two Rivers
Sumerian Religion:
A stranger coming to a Sumerian city would easily notice a huge brick building at the heart of the city. This was the Ziggurat.
The temple to the main god or goddess.
• Chapter 2 Section 1Land Between Two Rivers
Ziggurats were pyramids made of terraces which were linked by stairs. The Sumerians believed that gods came down to Earth using the stairs.
Polytheism- the belief in many gods.
Myths- stories about gods to explain people’s beliefs.
• Chapter 2 Section 1Land Between Two Rivers
Unfortunately, the wealth of the Sumerian city-states became their downfall. City-states fought each other over land and water use.
By 2300 B.C. the city-states were conquered by the armies of Akkadia.
• Chapter 2 Section 1Land Between Two Rivers
Akkadia’s king, King Sargon, united the city-states and improved their government and their military. They remained united for almost 100 years.
• Chapter 2 Section 1 Review
• What was the geography of Mesopotamia?
• In what ways were Sumerian cities alike?
• What do the religious beliefs of the Sumerians tell us?
• How did the location of Mesopotamia help it grow?
Chapter 2 Section 2 Babylonia and Assyria
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
The history of Mesopotamia is filled with stories of conquest. Any army that could conquer Mesopotamia gained great wealth from trade and agriculture.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
The biggest and the most important Mesopotamian civilizations were the empires of Babylonia and Assyria.
Empire- an area of many territories and people that are controlled by one government.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
The beautiful city of Babylon was the center of the Babylonian empire. The empire reached its height around 1750 B.C.
The Assyrians, named after the city of Assur, controlled a large empire by the 600’s B.C.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
The Babylonians and the Assyrians had two things in common. Both enjoyed their quest for riches and both were vicious warriors.
With their riches, both build grand cities where culture and learning were highly valued.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
The Babylonian king named Hammurabi created the Babylonian empire by uniting the cities of Sumer. He then conquered lands all the way to present day Turkey.
Under Hammurabi’s rule, the Babylonians created a system of roads throughout the empire. This made travel easier and encouraged trade.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
Babylon’s location made it a crossroad for trade. Caravans stopped in Babylon on their way to and from Sumer and Assyria.
Caravan- groups of travelers.
Bazaars- shops or markets
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
All the wealth that Babylon had gathered could not save it from conquest. Around 1600 B.C., the empire had shrunk and was finally destroyed.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
The kingdom of Assyria was located on open land, making it easy for other to invade. Because of their geographic location, Assyrians had to become expert warriors to defend themselves from attack.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
By 650 B.C. Assyria had conquered a large empire. It stretched from the Nile river to the Persian Gulf.
The Assyrians had to be clever when it came to war. Because of this need, they invented the battering ram.
Battering ram- a powerful weapon having a wooden beam mounted on wheels.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
Battering rams were capable of pounding city walls into rubble. Warriors used slings to throw stones at the enemy. Expert archers were able to send streams of arrows from a distance. And finally, armed charioteers would slash through battle lines.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
Assyria’s capital, Nineveh, became a great city of learning. It had a huge library that held thousands of clay tablets with writings from Sumer and Babylon.
Because these records were preserved, we are able to understand life in Mesopotamia.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
The Assyrians had few friends and the people they had conquered, attempted many revolts against Assyrian rule.
Finally, two groups, the Medes and the Chaldeans joined together to defeat the Assyrian empire.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
Under the Chaldeans, Babylon rose again to become even stronger than it was before.
King Nebuchadnessar II rebuilt the city of Babylon, which the Assyrians had destroyed. He put up massive walls for protection.
• Chapter 2 Section 2Babylonia and Assyria
Under the rule of the Chaldeans, the new Babylonian empire became a center of learning and science.
Like other Mesopotamian empires, the Chaldeans were open to attack and in 539 B.C., the new Babylonian empire feel to the Persians.
• Chapter 2 Section 2 Review Questions
1. Where were Babylonia and Assyria located?
2. How were Babylonia and Assyria similar?
3. How was new Babylonia created?
4. What were the empires of Assyria and Babylonia good at?
Chapter 2 Section 3 The Legacy of Mesopotamia
• Chapter 2 Section 3 The Legacy of Mesopotamia
We live by the idea that all laws should be written down and applied fairly.
Code- organized list of laws.
• Chapter 2 Section 3The Legacy of Mesopotamia
The Babylonians also believed in written laws. Hammurabi ruled Babylonia from 1792-1750 B.C. and he came up with a set of rules for everyone in his empire to follow.
These rules are known as Hammurabi’s Code. The code told the people of Babylonia how to settle conflicts in all areas of life.
• Chapter 2 Section 3The Legacy of Mesopotamia
Hammurabi’s Code was based on the idea of “an eye for an eye.” This means that the punishment for a crime would be similar to the crime committed.
A person who accidentally broke a law was just as guilty as someone who meant to break the law.
• Chapter 2 Section 3The Legacy of Mesopotamia
The importance of Hammurabi’s Code is that it was written down. With written laws, everyone could know the rules and the punishments.
Hammurabi’s Code was the first set of organized, written laws.
3 main social classes:
Nobles
Common people
Slaves
• Chapter 2 Section 3 The Legacy of Mesopotamia
Writing first developed in Mesopotamia around 3100 B.C. Writing met the need for the Sumerians to keep records.
Because writing was a special talent, scribes held great positions of importance.
All kinds of different records were recorded by scribes onto clay.
• Chapter 2 Section 3 The Legacy of Mesopotamia
Like most inventions, writing developed over time. Long before the Sumerians invented writing, they used shaped pieces of clay as tokens or symbols.
For example: Tokens could keep track of how many animals were bought and sold.
By 3100 B.C., this form of record keeping developed into writing.
• Chapter 2 Section 3The Legacy of Mesopotamia
At first, written words were symbols that represented specific objects. As people learned to record ideas as well as facts, the symbols changed.
Eventually, scribes combined symbols to make groups of wedges and lines known as Cuneiform.
• Chapter 2 Section 3 Review Questions
1. What was Hummurabi’s Code?
2. What does “eye for an eye” mean?
3. Why was the development of writing such an important step in history?
Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
While the great empire of Hammurabi was rising and falling, the people of a city on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea were becoming rich by gathering snails.
The snails collected near the coastal city of Tyre were not ordinary snails. These snails produced a purple dye which was valuable.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
Cloth made from this purple dye was highly valued and ships from Tyre sold the people cloth at very high prices throughout the Mediterranean.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
Phoenician Sea Power:
Tyre was the major city in a region called Phoenicia. The Phoenicians had settled in a land that had limited, but very important resources.
Besides the snails, Phoenicia had a great amount of dense forests in which to sell wood from.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
Phoenician Sea Power:
As trade grew, the Phoenicians looked to the sea to increase profits. In time, they controlled trade throughout much of the Mediterranean. From 1100 to 800 B.C., Phoenicia was a great sea power.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
Trade brought valuable goods from lands around the Mediterranean to the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. Foods included figs, olives, honey, and spices.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
The Phoenician Alphabet:
The Phoenicians relied on writing to help them conduct trade. They developed a writing system that used just 22 symbols. This system was the Phoenician alphabet.
Alphabet- a set of symbols that represent the sounds of a language.
• Chapter 2 Section 4Mediterranean Civilizations
The Phoenician alphabet forms the basis of the alphabet used in many languages today, including English.
The simple Phoenician alphabet was easier to learn than cuneiform. This meant that more people could write using the new alphabet.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
The Phoenician alphabet simplified trade between people who spoke different languages. The Phoenician sea trade helped the alphabet spread.
• Chapter 2 Section 4Mediterranean Civilizations
Israelites:
South of Phoenicia, a small band of people settled in the hills around the Jordan River valley. They were called Hebrews at first, but became known as Israelites.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
Although the Israelites never built a large empire, they had great influence on our civilization.
Much of what is known about the early history of the Israelites comes from stories told in the Torah (Hebrew Bible).
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
The Israelites traced their beginnings to Mesopotamia. For hundreds of years they lived as shepherds and merchants.
According to the Torah, a leader named Abraham taught his people to practice monotheism (Belief in one god).
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
The Torah tells us that Abraham led the Israelites from Mesopotamia to settle in the land of Canaan.
According to the Torah, famine spread throughout Canaan and forced the Israelites to move south towards Egypt.
Famine- a time when there is so little food that people starve.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
The Israelites lived around Egypt for a few hundred years until an Egyptian king forced them into slavery because he feared they we getting to large and powerful.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
According to the Torah, an Israelite leader named Moses led the Israelites out of slavery and out of Egypt.
After leaving Egypt, the Israelites wandered until their eventual return to Canaan.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
During their time wondering in the desert, the Torah tells us that god gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, in which to live by.
Once in Canaan, the Israelites united under their first king, Saul, who helped them defend themselves.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
The next king, David, established a capital in the city of Jerusalem.
After David died, his son Solomon took over the kingdom. But after Solomon died, the country split into two different kingdoms.
The northern kingdom was called Israel and the southern kingdom was called Judah.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Mediterranean Civilizations
Because they were now divided, they were not as strong. Soon after, Assyria conquered Israel and Judah.
In 722 B.C., the Assyrians exiled thousands of Israelites to very distant parts of their empire.
Exile- force people to live in another place.
• Chapter 2 Section 4 Review Questions
• How did the Phoenicians gain their wealth?
• What was so special about the Phoenician alphabet?
• What is the Torah?
• What are some important things we get from the Torah?
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
• The Torah (Hebrew Bible) is divided into 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These five books of the Torah are often referred to as the Old Testament.
• Chapter 2 Section 5Judaism
To the Israelites, history and religion are very closely related. Over time, Israelite beliefs developed into the religion known as Judaism.
Most ancient people thought of their gods as being connected to the places and things (Sun God, Water God), but the Israelites believed that God was everywhere.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
The Israelites believed that God knows everything and has complete power.
According to the Torah, God promised Abraham that his people would become kings and build nations. This covenant between God and Abraham set the Israelites as the chosen people.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
Covenant- promise mad by God.
This covenant was later renewed by Moses. God told Moses that he would lead them out of Canaan and into the promised land if they obeyed God faithfully.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
At the heart of Judaism are the Ten Commandments. These laws are believed to have been given by God to Moses. These laws set strict guidelines for behavior.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
In addition to the Ten Commandments, the Torah also set other laws. These laws dealt with everyday matters like food, crimes, public behavior.
Some laws protected women, for example to respect your mother. But as with many other religions, women are considered to be of a lower social status.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
A man, who was head of his family, owned his wife and children. A father could sell his daughter into marriage. Only a man could seek a divorce.
The history of the Israelites tells us of prophets who delivered God’s messages and warned against disobeying God.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
Prophet- a religious teacher who is regarded as speaking for God.
Prophets preached a code of ethics, or moral behavior. They urged people to follow all of God’s laws or face punishment from God. All men were equal before God.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
In many societies, rules were seen and treated like gods, but not to the Israelites. A ruler was just a man, the same as anyone else. Everyone had to obey God’s laws.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
Finally, the Romans drove the Israelites out of their homeland and they were scattered all over the world.
Diaspora- the scattering of a group of people.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
Where ever the Jewish people settled, they preserved their heritage/culture. They would live close together in communities, they made sure to follow God’s laws, and they worshiped together.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Judaism
Judaism had an important influence on two later religions, Christianity and Islam. Both of these religions began with ideas in Judaism.
Both honor Abraham and Moses, as well as all the other prophets of the Torah. Both Christianity and Islam also share the same moral views as Judaism.
• Chapter 2 Section 5 Review Questions
• What did the covenant between God and Abraham require the Israelites to do?
• Why are the Israelites believed to be the chosen people?
• What are some of the laws that the Israelites follow?
• What do these laws say about the moral values of the Israelites?
Chapter 3 Ancient Egypt
The Nile River is the world’s longest river. It flows north from its sources in East Africa to the Mediterranean Sea, over 4,000 miles.
From Florida to California is only roughly 3,000 miles!!
• Chapter 3 Section 1Geography of the Nile River
The Nile river has two main sources. The Blue Nile rises in the highlands of Ethiopia and races down to the desert.
The White Nile is calmer. It begins in East Africa and flows north through swamps.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
The two rivers meet in Sudan. From there the Nile runs through the desert lands of the Mediterranean.
Along the southern area of the Nile is the Egyptian city of Aswan.
Along this same area was the ancient region of Nubia.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
Nubia- ancient region in the Nile river valley.
Nubia was divided into two sections:
Upper Nubia
Lower Nubia
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
The Nile River ran for 700 miles through ancient Egypt, from Aswan to the Mediterranean Sea.
At the end of the Nile in the north, the river split into several streams that flowed into the Mediterranean Sea. These streams formed an area called a delta.
• Chapter 3 Section 1Geography of the Nile River
Delta- a plain at the mouth of a river.
This flowing water deposited minerals into the soil which made it very good for growing crops of food.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
Every spring, in the highlands of Africa, water would rush downstream. As the water flowed, it brought rich, fertile sediment called silt.
Silt- fine soil found on river bottoms.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
The Egyptians called their land Kemet. This was because of the dark soil that was left by the Nile’s floods.
Kemet- “the black land”
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
Beyond the fertile river banks lay the “red land”, which was the vast desert. It spread out for miles on either side of the river.
These lands were not friendly to humans and useless for farming.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
The desert did provide some usefulness to Egypt and Nubia and that was protection. The long, hot desert made attacks by foreigners very difficult to accomplish.
Over the years, Egypt and Nubia had very few attacks to deal with.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
Settled hunting and fishing communities first appeared along the Nile around 7000 years ago. As the communities grew, trade also expanded.
Original homes along the Nile would have been made from straw or of bricks made from mud and straw.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
In Egypt, the Nile was used to transport goods. Other trade links ran east across the desert towards Mesopotamia.
Caravans loaded with gold, silver, copper, and other things travelled over land.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
In Nubia, the Nile river had six cataracts which made trade by way of the Nile very difficult.
Cataract- rock-filled rapids or large waterfall on a river.
Nubia had to rely on caravans across the desert to trade.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Nile River
The Nubians became famous for trade. They carried goods from central Africa and Nubia into Egypt and southwestern Asia and brought goods back.
• Chapter 3 Section 1 Review Questions
• How did the Nile affect the lives of the early Egyptians and Nubians?
• How did the cataracts on the Nile River affect Nubian trade?
• How long is the Nile River?
• What is silt?
Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
• Chapter 3 Section 2The Rulers of Egypt
Pharaoh- the title used by the kings of Egypt.
The history of ancient Egypt is the history from each of its dynasties.
Dynasty- a series of rulers from the same family or group.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
Egypt had 31 dynasties from 3100 B.C. until it was conquered in 332 B.C.
Historians group Egypt’s dynasties into 3 major time periods, called kingdoms.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
Egyptian Kingdoms:
1. Old Kingdom (earliest)
2. Middle Kingdom
3. New Kingdom (latest)
Remember these are time periods!!!
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
Gaps in time periods were times of war or weak rulers. These periods were rare in Egyptian history.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
Egypt Unified:
According to legend, Egypt’s first dynasty began when a king named Menes united upper and lower Egypt.
Menes built a city called Memphis and ruled the two lands (Egypt).
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
The pharaohs of Egypt had what is known as absolute power.
Absolute Power- complete control over the people without the need to get the permission for anything.
With this type of government, whatever the pharaoh decided became law.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
Over time, Egyptians connected their pharaohs to gods, including:
Horus – the falcon god
Re- the sun god
In this, pharaohs were thought of as god-kings.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
The Old Kingdom:
During the Old Kingdom of Egypt, pharaohs kept peace and traded with Nubia. There were very few conflicts.
Also during this time, merchants traveled to the east coast of the Mediterranean to find lumber.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
This lumber was used for building houses, boats, furniture, and also for trade with other areas.
Toward the end of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, governors in the provinces started to challenge the power of the pharaoh’s government. The unity of Egypt crumbled.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
The Middle Kingdom:
The early rulers of the Middle Kingdom restored order and reunited the country. Pharaohs spent the nation’s wealth on public works instead of wars.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
During the Middle Kingdom, they constructed buildings and irrigation projects. Egypt grew very wealthy.
Later towards the end of the Middle Kingdom, weak rulers lost control of the country to foreign invaders.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
The New Kingdom:
In time, Egyptian princes became strong enough to drive out foreign invaders. This marks the start of the New Kingdom- (1567 B.C.)
• Chapter 3 Section 2The Rulers of Egypt
The first pharaohs of the new kingdom wanted to build a mighty empire. First they created huge armies of foot soldiers, mounted warriors, and charioteers.
Along with bronze swords and body armor, this made the Egyptians nearly unbeatable.
• Chapter 3 Section 2The Rulers of Egypt
One pharaoh during the New Kingdom is of special interest to many people around the world.
This pharaoh would be- King Tutankhamen (King Tut)
King Tutankhamen became ruler of Egypt when he was just a child and died when he was around the age of 18.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
King Tutankhamen:
In 1922, archaeologists discovered the King’s tomb. Inside, many funeral treasures were found and tell us a lot about ancient Egypt.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
New Kingdom:
In 1504 B.C., a child named Thutmose III began his reign. Because he was so young, at the time, his stepmother was appointed regent.
Regent- someone who rules or makes decisions for a child until they are old enough.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
Thutmose’s stepmother, Hatshepsut, was not content to be just a regent. She went ahead and proclaimed herself to be pharaoh. She was indeed the pharaoh of Egypt for 15 years.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
Hatshepsut’s reign was very good for Egypt. She was a bold leader who is most remembered for creating a time of great peace and wealth.
She encouraged trade with faraway lands and sent expeditions deep into Africa. It was there that they found new animal skins and trees for incense.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt
When Thutmose grew up, his stepmother refused to give up the throne. After she died, Thutmose finally became ruler of Egypt and destroyed all of her statues.
• Chapter 3 Section 2 Review Questions
1. What powers did Egyptians believe their kings had?
2. What power did Pharaohs have in ancient Egypt?
3. What did all three Kingdoms have in common?
4. What were some accomplishments of the Kingdoms?
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
The Egyptians believed in an afterlife.
Afterlife- a life that comes after one dies.
Egyptians would sing songs at funerals hoping to help the Pharaoh’s soul reach the afterlife.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
Religion was an important part of daily life in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians believed that their gods and goddesses controlled nature. The Egyptians built temples to honor their gods and gave them offerings of food, gifts, and prayer.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
The chief god of the ancient Egyptians was Amon-Re. He protected the rich and the poor. The Egyptians believed that Amon-Re was born each morning in the east with the sunrise and died each night with the sunset. This is why the area to the west is known as the home of the dead.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
Other powerful gods included Osiris, the god of the living and the dead. The goddess Isis was his wife. She was worshiped as the great mother and their son, Horus who was god of the sky.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
Like the people of many different civilizations, the Egyptians believed in an afterlife.
The Egyptians believed that the dead made their way to the afterlife in heavenly boats.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
If they had pleased the gods in this world, they joined Osiris and lived a life of ease and pleasure. They spent their days eating, drinking, and visiting with family and friends who had died.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
Because the souls of the dead could not survive without food, clothing, and other items from this life…their possessions were buried with them.
During the Old Kingdom, the afterlife was thought only for Pharaohs, but later on other got to look forward to an afterlife as well.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
Before there were pyramids, most Egyptians were just buried in the desert sand. Egypt’s dry climate dried out a person’s remains creating a mummy.
Mummy- preserved body of a dead person.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
According to religious beliefs, the soul would leave the mummy, but return to it to receive food offerings. The preserved appearance of the body allowed it to be recognized by the person’s spirit.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
By the time of the Fourth Dynasty, The Egyptians had begin the practice of mummification, or artificially preserving the bodies for burial.
Mummification was very expensive and the whole process took two to three months to complete.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
Workers would carefully remove the organs from the body and then fill the body with a natural salt and store it for roughly 40 days. During that time, the body completely dried out.
Once the body was dry, the body was cleaned and bathed in spaces. It was then wrapped in long linen bandages.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
While workers were preparing the mummy, artisans were busy carving the coffin. Pharaohs actually had three or four coffins. The coffins nested inside one another and the inner most coffin was shaped like a body with the dead person’s face painted on the cover.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
The Great Pyramid:
For more than 4000 years, the Great Pyramid at Giza stood taller than any other human-made structure in the world. It is about 480 feet tall and is still there today!
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
Pharaoh’s Tombs:
The planning for a Pharaoh’s tomb began soon after he was made Pharaoh. The earliest royal tombs were made of mud bricks, but the process became more complex as time went on and Pharaohs tried to out do other Pharaohs.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
The Pharaohs of the Fourth Dynasty built the largest and most famous tombs. These were the pyramids. Most of the pyramids were build during the Old Kingdom.
The largest is called the Great Pyramid, built for the Pharaoh Khufu. Khufu was the second king of the Fourth Dynasty.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
Building pyramids required a great deal of organization. The Great Pyramid is made up of more than 2 million stones.
The average weight of each stone is 5,000 pounds and each one had to be hauled up the side of the pyramid and put in its place.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
A pyramid could take more than 20 years to build. Workers first had to lay out the site for the pyramid and then cut each of the blocks of stone to be placed in the pyramid.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
To get the blocks of stone into place, workers used sleds, wooden rollers, and levers. They dragged and pushed the huge blocks up ramps to the level they were working on.
Because of this, building a pyramid was very dangerous and many people were killed by falling blocks.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Egyptian Religion
The workers, even though their job was very dangerous, believed that their job was very important and it was considered as a religious act of faith.
• Chapter 3 Section 3 Review Questions
• What were the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians?
• How did the Egyptians understand nature?
• Why did the Egyptians mummify their dead?
• What was the afterlife to the ancient Egyptians?
Chapter 3 Section 4 Ancient Egyptian Culture
Most of what we know about everyday life of the Egyptians is based on paintings that covered the walls of tombs and temples.
Written records also tell us a great deal about what their lives were like.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Social Classes:
Egyptian society, itself, resembled a pyramid. At the very top stood the Pharaoh. Beneath the Pharaoh was a small upper class group of people which included priests, members of the Pharaoh’s court, and nobles who owned land.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
The next level was the middle class. This group was made up of merchants and skilled workers. And finally, at the bottom, was the largest class, the peasants.
Mostly, the peasants did farm labor, but they also did other forms of manual labor such as building roads and temples.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
It was possible to rise from one social class to a higher social class, but this was usually only done through service to the Pharaoh.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Slavery:
Prisoners captured in wars were made slaves. Slaves formed a separate class, which was never extremely large.
In Egypt, even slaves had rights among the social classes. Slaves could own personal items and inherit land from their owners. They could also be set free.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Peasants:
Although peasants could own land, more often than not, they worked the land of wealthier people. During the Nile flooding season, these workers built roads, temples, and other buildings.
• Chapter 3 Section 4Egyptian Culture
• The harvest season was a very busy time for peasants. All men, women, and children went into the fields to collect all the crops of wheat and barley.
• Chapter 3 Section 4Egyptian Culture
Women:
Egyptian women were looked upon as living models of Isis, the god wife of Osiris. They had most of the rights that men had. They could own property, run a business, and enter into a legal contract.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Noble Women held a special position in Egyptian Society. Sometimes they were in charge of temples, or acted as regents, or had influence on the Pharaoh.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Egyptian Writing:
In ancient Egypt, just like in Mesopotamia, ideas were written down in picture like symbols called hieroglyphs.
Hieroglyphs- pictures that stand for words or sounds.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
The Egyptians, like others, used hieroglyphs because they needed to keep track of the growing wealth of the kingdom. As wealth grew, it became necessary to create more and more pictures to represent more complicated ideas.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
At first, the Egyptians wrote on clay and stone, as the Sumerians did. But they found that they needed a much better writing surface and one that was easier to use. They found the answer in papyrus.
Papyrus- early form of paper made from a reed found around the Nile River.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
The plant used to make this paper is also called papyrus.
To make the paper, the inner stalks of the plant were cut into narrow strips. The strips were cut the same length and placed side by side in one layer. Another layer of strips were placed crosswise on top of the first layer to form a sheet.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
After the papyrus was pressed flat, it was left to dry in the sun. Sheets could be glued together to make long scrolls using sap from plants to glue the ends together.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Rosetta Stone:
The meaning of ancient Egypt’s hieroglyphic writing would be lost forever if not for the work of Francois Champollion who was able to figure out the meaning of the pictures.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Rosetta Stone:
In 1799 a stone was found near the town of Rosetta, which is near the Nile River, and on this stone, it had three different forms of writing. The first, at the top of the stone, was hieroglyphics, the second, in the middle of the stone, was demotic, which was a later form of Egyptian writing. Finally, at the bottom was Greek.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Rosetta Stone:
Francois Champollion was able to use the Greek letters in order to figure out what the hieroglyphics at the top meant. Because of his work, we can now understand what the Egyptians wrote.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Science:
In addition to the developments made in writing, the Egyptians also made important advances in astronomy (studying the stars and objects in the sky) and medicine.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Science:
The Egyptians were able to work out the average time between the appearances of certain stars and using this information, they were able to figure out that a year was about 365 days.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Mathematics:
The Egyptians could perform basic calculations such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. They also knew simple fractions and geometry. All of this helped them build the pyramids.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Medicine:
Religion and medicine were very closely related in ancient Egypt. Doctors were specially trained priests who used religious practices and their knowledge of illness to try to heal.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Medicine:
Because of the Egyptian’s work with mummies, they knew a great deal about the human body. They knew how to perform surgery and how to fix broken bones.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Egyptian Culture
Medicine:
The Egyptians also knew how to use certain plants as remedies for sickness, such as stomach aches and head aches.
• Chapter 3 Section 4 Review Questions
• What were the lives of the peasants like?
• How did the Egyptians use hieroglyphs to communicate?
• What areas of Science and Medicine did the ancient Egyptians study?
• How were slaves treat in Egyptian society?
Chapter 3 Section 5 The Culture of Nubia
Land of the Bow:
The region of Nubia was located south of ancient Egypt. For most of their long history, Egypt and Nubia were peaceful neighbors. The Egyptians called Nubia "Ta Sety" or "Land of the Bow" because of the warriors of Nubia and their great skill with the bow and arrow.
Resources:
Egypt valued Nubia for its rich mineral resources, such as gold, copper, and iron ore.
Ore- a mineral or combination of minerals mined for the production of metals.
Because of it's location, Nubia became an important bridge of trade between central Africa and Egypt.
Lower Nubia- the region between the 1st and 2nd Nile River cataracts.
Upper Nubia- the region beyween the 2nd and the 6th Nile River cataracts.
The kingdoms of Upper and Lower Nubia rivaled Egypt for control of the land. The most powerful kingdoms were in the cities of Kerma, Napata, and Meroe.
Kerma:
The Kushites came to power at a time when Egypt was weakening. By 1600 B.C., the Kushite kingdom had expanded into southern Egypt.
Kerma had gained not only power but wealth, from controlling trade between central Africa and Egypt. It was also important for its artisans who made highly prized pottery.
Artisans- workers skilled at crafting items by hand.
Like the Egyptians, the people of Kerma devoted a great deal of energy to royal burials. They buried their kings in mounds of earth as large as football fields. Inside their tombs, the kings bodies rested on gold covered beds and were surrounded by jewelery, gold, and ivory.
Around 1500 B.C. Egypt began to regain it's power under Thutmose I and reclaimed the lands from Kerma.
Napata and Meroe:
To the south of Kerma lay the Nubian cities of Napata and Meroe, in the ancient land called Kush. After centuries of Egyptian rule, the Kushites rose gain to power. Their kingdom was centered in the Nubian city of Napata and then later in Meroe.
By the late 700's B.C., Egypt became weak again and divided. At this time, the Kushites expanded their power into Egypt. At one point, Nubia controlled all of Egypt.
The Nubian kings admired Egyptian culture so much that they brought back many of the Egyptians ways and preserved them. They even started building pyramids to bury kings in.. This control over Egypt did not last very long and by 660 B.C., Egypt had control over it's lands again.
Chapter 3 Section 5 Review Questions
1. What was the relationship between Egypt and Nubia?
2. What were the resources of Kerma?
3. How did the cultures of Nubia and Egypt blend together?
4. Why did the Egyptians call Nubia "Ta Sety"?
