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Ancient Egypt
The civilization of Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest in world history. It is usually said that it started in
around 3000 BC in the Nile River Valley.
As well as being one of the earliest, the Ancient Egyptians
had one of the longest lasting civilizations in world history.
The great days of Ancient Egypt fell between c. 3000 BC and
c. 1000 BC.
Ancient Egyptian civilization’s long lifespan throughout
history was typified by three distinct stable periods - the Old
Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom separated by Intermediate Periods when the country was
weak, divided and invaded.
1. Two important points in this introduction are…
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Location
Egypt is situated in the Nile Valley, in the north east of Africa. By 3000 BC, the unified kingdom of Egypt
occupied the entire Nile Valley north of a series of rapids called the 1st Cataract.
The life of Ancient Egypt centered around the Nile and the fertile land along its banks. The farmers in the long,
narrow Nile Valley developed irrigation methods to control the flow of the river to a predictable stream through
its rainy and dry seasons. The valley was fertile and rich, creating large amounts of crops (surplus) that made
possible incredible building projects such as the Pyramids and the temples of Luxor. The large amounts of food
(surplus) were also used to allow the upper classes to have anything they wanted; to develop trade with other
civilizations; and to pay for wars.
2. I think it was possible to build the pyramids and temples once there
was a large amount of food (surplus) because…
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3. From what I read, I think surplus means…
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Art
Much of the art which has come down to us is funerary art - art designed for the tomb. The Ancient Egyptians
believed that life could continue as normal in the afterlife, and so the dead were accompanied in their graves by
everyday and luxury goods – including art objects - to help them enjoy their new life.
Ancient Egyptian art emphasized a rigid style which changed remarkably little over the millennia.
The classic Egyptian two-dimensional style is found in tombs, temples and statues. Egyptian statues were
carved from stone and rock, or wood as a cheap alternative, with paint obtained from mineral ores quarried from
surrounding areas. The wall paintings in tombs often depict lively scenes of everyday life, bringing this ancient
civilization vividly to life.
4. After reading this section, I can infer that a very important part of Egyptian culture was…
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5. Some of the things that are similar about our culture’s art and Egyptian art are…
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6. Some of the things that are different are…
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Architecture
The Ancient Egyptians built some of the most amazing
structures the world has ever seen, such as the Pyramids of Giza.
The construction of pyramids only happened in the earlier days
of Egyptian civilization.
The average Egyptian lived in a simple mud, wood or brick
home, with the elite having elaborate palaces, rich in art.
7. After reading this section, I think architecture means…
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Technology
Mathematics
The Ancient Egyptians developed high levels of mathematics to enable them to build their pyramids and
temples with remarkably simple tools. Their practical mathematics must have been of a very high order indeed.
8. The math skills the Egyptians must have needed in order to build the pyramids are…
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Medicine
Ancient Egyptian funerary practices, which involved embalming the dead, did not lead to detailed knowledge of
human anatomy. Still, Egyptian medicine had an excellent reputation in the Ancient World. Ancient Egyptian
doctors could stitch up wounds, repair broken bones and amputate infected limbs. Cuts were bandaged by raw
meat, linen, and swabs soaked with honey. Opium was also used as a painkiller. Onions and garlic were used as
health foods in the diet.
Close to the Nile meant that diseases from the water, such as malaria, were common. Other common diseases
included physical stresses caused from a life of labor. People only lived up to 30 (women) and 35 (men) years
of age, however about one third of babies never became adults.
9. If the Egyptians knew so much about medicine, I think people still lived such short lives because…
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Ship Building
The Egyptians were very advanced as far as boat technology. Planks of wood were originally held together by
straps with reeds or grass pushed in to seal the gaps. Soon tree nails were used to hold planks together.
However, despite having the ships on which to sail, they were not renowned as great sailors and did not engage
in shipping across the Mediterranean or Red Seas.
10. I think the Egyptians knew how to build boats well because…
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Government
The Ancient Egyptian civilization produced the first government to rule an entire nation.
The Pharaoh was the ruler of Ancient Egypt, both politically and religiously. The Pharaoh held the title 'High
Priest of Every Temple', meaning that he represented the honor of the gods on all the Earth. In Egyptian eyes,
the pharaoh was a god himself, who stood between heaven and earth.
Pharaoh was in charge of the army, and would go to war when his lands were threatened - requesting valuable
gifts from the conquered people if victory was obtained.
To help the pharaoh in governing the land, an elaborate organization of officials, scribes and overseers – the
world’s first civil service – developed, bringing the reach of government down to the lowliest villager.
Pharaoh himself was surrounded in his palace by high officials, ministers and courtiers. Temples were used as
places of worship and also as granaries and treasuries where grain and goods were stored.
11. Choose one:
 I think the fact that Egyptians looked at the pharaoh as a god was a good idea because…
 I think the fact that Egyptians looked at the pharaoh as a god was a bad idea because…
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12. Some things that are the same between our government and Ancient Egypt’s government are…
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13. Some things that are different between our government and Ancient Egypt’s government are…
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Economy and Society
Ancient Egypt’s economy was based on farming. The great majority of the people were farmers. They were
able to produce large surpluses of food, which sustained the pharaoh and his court, his officials, the priests and
all the other members of the elite. Peasants also provided the mass labor which built the pyramids and temples
along the Nile Valley.
14. Farming was such an important part of Egyptian culture because…
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15. Because so many Egyptians were busy farming and building pyramids, and the pharaohs and higher
members of the social structure (hierarchy) were busy with their work, I think the people in the middle of the
hierarchy became…
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Trading inside Egypt would have been greatly successful by the presence of the River Nile. There were many
towns, cities, and markets along the river bank. The Egyptian ancient city of Memphis was one of the largest
cities in the world.
16. People who traded goods between the Egyptian city-states, probably traveled by…
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