CORNELL NOTES SHEET Name: Joshua Yoran Period: 7 Date: 9/24/18 Topic: World History and Geography QUESTIONS What was the significance of geography to Egypt’s development? Nile River’s role “Hymn to the Nile” NOTES Geography - Nile River Egypt was one of the first river valley civilizations (like Mesopotamia) Nile River played an important role in Egyptian civilization NR united Upper and Lower Egypt Details of the Nile Nile splits into two, forming the Nile Delta. Egyptians wrote of their reliance on the great river in “Hymn to the Nile” praising it as the “creator of all good” in its ability to bring them food and other riches. Nile Delta/Lower & Upper Egypt Nile River – over 4000 miles, longest river in the world. It begins in the heart of Africa and goes north. It splits into two before entering the Mediterranean Sea. The split in the Nile forms a triangle territory called a delta. The Nile Delta is called Lower Egypt. The land to the south is called the Upper Egypt. The yearly flooding of the Nile was called the “miracle” of the Nile. Unlike the Mesopotamia’s rivers, the flooding of the Nile was gradual and usually predictable so the river was seen as life-enhancing and not threatening and it provided a feeling of stability. Summer time – NR rose from heavy rains in central Africa In Autumn – NR reached its highest point & left a deposit of mud or silt that created an area of rich soil several miles wide on both sides of the river. This fertile land was dark in color from silt and crops and was called “Black Land.” The deserts were called “Red Land” Egyptian civilization usually remained more rural with many small villages congregated along a narrow band on both sides of the Nile. Egypt’s important cities developed at the tip of the delta. Farmers in the Nile Valley grew a surplus of food that made Egypt prosperous. NR also served to unify Egypt. In old times the NR was the fastest way to travel through the land and helping with communication. “Miracle” of the Nile “Black Land” – fertile land “Red Land” – the deserts Nile leads to food surplus & Egypt is prosperous Nile River – made Egyptians prosperous from good farming. How did geography help to protection Egypt from invasion? 1 Role of the bodies of water in Egypt? Egypt’s geography and topography played important roles in the early history of the country. Role of Religion for Egypt Geography – Natural Barriers that Serve as Protection Nature barriers that provided protection from enemy attacks: deserts to the east and west, the Red Sea to the east, the cataracts (rapids) in the southern part, Mediterranean Sea to the north. This protected the Egyptians from invasion unlike Mesopotamia which was subject to much invasion. Summary: the regularity of the Nile floods and the isolation of the Egyptians created a feeling of security and changelessness. Unlike the people in Mesopotamia, Egyptians faced life with a spirit of confidence in the stability of things. Ancient Egyptian civilization was characterized by remarkable degree of continuity over 1000s of years. Religion – Egyptians polytheistic Sun gods & land gods Title “Son of Re” – one of the sun gods What characterizes the divisions in the first 2 major periods in Egypt’s history? Religion provided Egypt with a sense of security & timelessness For Egyptians religious ideas represented an inseparable part of the entire world order. Polytheistic gods were associated with heavenly bodies and natural forces. 2 groups had special significance - sun gods and land gods – because of the importance of the sun and the fertile land along the Nile to Egypt’s well-being. Egyptian ruler took the title “Son of Re.” Rulers were seen as an earthly form of Re (one of the sun gods) Egyptian Kingdoms Old Kingdom (Intermediate Period) Middle Kingdom (Intermediate Period) New Kingdom Egypt history begins: 3100 BC. King Menes Manetho – an Egyptian priest and historian divided Egyptian history into 31 dynasties of kings. Egyptian history is now divided into 3 major periods: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom. The 3 periods – had long-term stability, strong leadership, freedom from invasion, great building projects, rich cultural activity. In between the periods were the Intermediate periods that were times of political disorder and invasion. Egypt history begins 3100 BC when King Menes united Upper and Lower Egypt into a single kingdom. 2 Define dynasty Old Kingdom: 2700 BC-2200 BC King Menes created the first royal dynasty – a family of rulers whose right to rule is passed on within the family After King Menes the Egyptian ruler would be called “King of Upper and Lower Egypt” (a double crown indicating the unity of Egypt) Old Kingdom Lasted from 2700 BC- 2200 BC Age of prosperity and splendor Greatest and largest pyramids were built Capital - Memphis pharaoh – originally meaning “great house” or “palace” What was the role of the pharaoh in the Old Kingdom? Monarchs during this period were powerful rulers over a unified state. The title “pharaoh” became the popular title for Egyptian monarchs. Kingship was a divine institution in ancient Egypt & it formed part of a universal cosmic order. In obeying the pharaoh subjects were helping to maintain a stable world order. A breakdown in royal power could only mean that citizens were offending divinity and weakening the universal structure. Pharaoh’s had absolute power – unlimited power to rule their people but they were suppose to rule based on principles and not arbitrarily. The chief principle = Ma’at – a spiritual precept that conveyed the idea of truth and justice but especially right order and harmony. Pharaohs were the divine instruments who maintained this order and harmony and were themselves subject to it. Bureaucracy defined The administrative organization of the Egyptians Pharaoh’s had help in ruling – at first members of the pharaoh’s family provided this help. But then during the Old Kingdom government bureaucracy developed. Bureaucracy means an administrative organization that relies on nonelective officials and regular procedures. Egypt was divided into 42 provinces run by governors appointed by the pharaoh. Important to the bureaucracy was the vizier – “steward of the whole land” who was responsible to the king and in charge of the bureaucracy with its numerous departments such as police, justice, etc. Agriculture and treasury were the most important departments. For administration purposes Egypt was divided into provinces or nomes – 22 in Upper Egypt and 20 in Lower Egypt. A governor – or nomarch – was in charge of each nome. Scribes were important because they kept records of everything. Because they could write and read they were considered a higher class. Pyramids 3 Mummification The Great Pyramid of King Khufu (2540 BC)= The Great Pyramid at Giza: stands as a visible symbol of the power of the Egyptian pharaohs of the Old Kingdom. Great Sphinx Intermediate Period (c. 22002050 BC) Middle Kingdom: 2055 BC1650 BC The pyramids are an example of the splendor of the Old Kingdom – one of the great achievements of Egyptian civilization. They were built as a part of a larger complex of buildings dedicated to the dead – a city of the dead. Large pyramid for the king, smaller ones for his family and mastabas – rectangular structures with flat roofs for his noble officials. To preserve the physical body after death the Egyptians practiced mummification – a process of slowly drying a dead body to prevent it from rotting. Priests ran this process usually for the wealthy families who could afford it. Later on all Egyptians could do this. Process of mummification – first removed the liver, lungs, stomach, intestines and placed them into 4 jars and put them in the tomb with the mummy. Covered the body with a natural salt that absorbed the body’s water. Filled body with spices and wrapped it with layers of linen soaked in resin. This process took 70 days and then a life-like mask placed over the head and shoulders of the mummy. Then sealed in a case & placed in a tomb. Pyramids were tombs for the mummified bodies of pharaohs. Largest/most magnificent pyramid – built under King Khufu, at Giza around 2540 BC. Covers 13 acres, 756 feet at each side of its base, stands 481 feet high. Mystery still is around the building of this pyramid, especially about how the builders achieved the amazing level of precision. Guarding the Great Pyramid at Giza is a huge figure carved from rock known as the Great Sphinx – 240 feet long, 66 feet high, body of a lion and a human head. Historians disagree on the purpose of the Great Sphinx. Many people believed that the mythical Sphinx was an important guardian of sacred sites. No pyramid built later matches its size or splendor. The Great Pyramid was a symbol of royal power. Could be seen for miles and reminded people of the glory, might, and wealth of the ruler who was a living god on Earth. Intermediate Period Period of chaos Nomes became more independent and central authoritty was weakened. Loyalty to nomes replaced loyalty to the pharaoh. Economic decline from crop failures and famines as the result of lwo Nile flooding. Rival dynasty appeared. The Middle Kingdom Old Kingdom fell and a period of disorder followed that lasted for about 150 years. King of Thebes reunited all of Egypt The Middle Kingdom arose 4 Later portrayed as the golden age of stability. Factors that contributed to the period’s vitality: nome structure reorganized, boundaries of each nome settled precisely, obligations of the nomes to the state were defined. New system of co-regency where pharaoh took his son as a co-ruler to prepare him for governing. Egypt began an expansion – conquered Nubia and built fortresses to protect the new frontier. Pharaohs also sent traders to Kush, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Crete. Sent military expeditions into Palestine & Syria – marked a time of Egyptian imperialism. One feature of the Middle Kingdom was a new concern of the pharaohs for the people. In the Old Kingdom the pharaoh was seen as a god-king far removed from his people. But in the Middle Kingdom he was portrayed as the shepherd of his people and expected to build public works and provide for the public welfare. How was Egyptian society organized? Levels of Classes Life in Ancient Egypt: Society and Economy 1) God-like King 2) Upper Class Nobles/Priests Over 1000s of years Egyptian society has a simple structure (During 3)Merchants/artisans/scribes/tax the Old and Middle Kingdoms). Organized like a pyramid – god-king collectors on top. The pharaoh was supported by an upper class of nobles and 4) Farmers priests who ran the government and managed their own landed Marriages estates. Merchants – trade up and down the Nile and in local markets Artisans – made goods like wooden furniture; gold, silver and cooper tools; paper and rope made of papyrus; linen clothing. Farmers – largest group of people in Egypt. The pharaoh owned all the land but granted portions of it to his subjects. Large parts of land were held by nobles and priests who supervised the numerous temples. Most of the lower classes were peasants (serfs) who farmed the land of theses estates. Farmers paid taxes in the form of crops to the pharaohs, nobles and priests. Farmers lived in small villages and forced to provide military service and labor for building projects. Marriages were arranged by parents (girls at 12, boys at 14). Main purpose of marriage – produce children. There was romance in marraige Monogamy was the general rule. Divorce was allowed. Adultery punishable. Pharaohs had harems. Only sons could carry on the family name. Husband – considered master of the house Wives were well respected Women did have equal legal rights with men. 5 Women’s property and inheritance stayed in their hands even in marriage. Most careers and pubic officers were closed to women but some women opened businesses. Peasant women worked long hours in the fields and in the home. Upper class women could become priestesses and 4 queens became pharaohs (Hatsheput) What were some of the cultural contributions of the ancient Egyptians? Religion Sun god – Re Egyptian Accomplishments & Culture The culture of Egypt was impressive with many technical achievements like the pyramids. Religion – no word for religion, it was an inseparable element of the entire world Many gods associated with heavenly bodies and natural forces. Two groups – sun gods (Atum in human form and as Re with a human body but the head of a falcon) and land gods. Pharaoh took the title “Son of Re” Egyptians believed humans had 2 bodies – a physical one and a spiritual one – called ka. If the physical body was preserved and tombs furnished with regular objects of life then the ka could return and continue its life despite the death of the physical body. The god Osiris became important as a symbol of resurrection or rebirth. After mummification the people could be reborn Egyptian spiritual practice had them look for ways to gain immortality. Book of the Dead discussed magical incantations used to ensure a favorable journey to a happy afterlife. “Book of the Dead” Writing Hieroglyphics Hieratic Script Architectural & artistic One system of writing in Egypt emerged around 3000 BC - Greeks later called it hieroglyphics – meaning “priest-carvings” or “sacred writings.” Used pictures and more abstract forms and was complex. Was on temple walls & in tombs. Hieratic Script – a simplified version of hieroglyphics, used for business transactions and the general needs of daily life. Drawings of this kind of script used dashes, strokes and curves. First hieroglyphs were carved in stone. Then hieratic script was 6 written on papyrus – paper made from the papyrus reed that grew along the Nile. Achievements Pyramids, temples and monuments show these achievements Artists and sculptors had to follow particular formulas in style. For example, the human body was often portrayed as a combination of profile, semi-profile, and frontal view to accurately represent each part. Paintings in the tombs were suppose to aid the journey of the deceased into the afterworld. They had a lot of music as entertainment They invented board games Written on papyrus and wooden tablets. Most popular literature was adventure stories about the deeds of historical kings and famous men. Wisdom Texts – instructions from a father to a son. Egyptians made advances in math. As early as 3500 BC they had developed a number system that allowed them to count indefinitely and to make complex calculations necessary for their massive monuments. They calculated area and volume and used geometry to survey flooded land. Egyptians developed an accurate 365-day calendar by basing their year on the movements of the moon and on the bright star Sirius. Sirius rises in the sky just before the annual flooding of the Nile River, providing a standard date from which to calculate. Literature Mathematics 365-day calendar Second Intermediate Period (c. 1652-1567 BC) Second Intermediate Period New Kingdom (c. 1567-1085 BC) Incursion into the delta region by a people known as the Hyksos initiated this second age of chaos. But the positive aspect of these people coming is that they introduced the Bronze Age technology to Egypt Pharaoh Ahmose I defeated and expelled the Hyksos from Egypt. He set up the New Kingdom. New Kingdom Period New militaristic and imperialistic path More professional army Egypt was no longer content to remain in isolation. Now pursued an active political and diplomatic policy. The height of the imperialist Egyptian state – under the reign of 7 Amenhotep III (c. 1412 – 1375 BC) The government changed: kings lost most of their power to three strong institutions – the army, the royal bureaucracy and the priesthood. The Hittites came to threaten the reign of Amenhotep III. In the fist century BC Egypt became a province in Rome’s mighty empire. Egypt however continues to influence its conquerors by the richness of its heritage. SUMMARY: _________________________________________________________________________________ 8