Key Figures of Ancient Egypt
Menes
Circa 3100 BCE
Khufu
Circa 2550 BCE
Hatshepsut
Circa 1470 BCE
Tuthmosis III
Circa 1450 BCE
Akhenaton
Circa 1350 BCE
Tutankhamun
Circa 1334 BCE
Ramses II
Circa 1290 BCE
Cleopatra
Circa 30 BCE
BLACKLINE MASTER 1-18
Akhenaton’s Challenge to Authority
Akhenaton focused all of his energies on reforming Egyptian religion. Using Chapter Two in Echoes from
the Past: World History to the 16th Century, describe religion, art and the role of
the Pharaoh in Egypt before Akhenaton came to power, how he changed these aspects of Egyptian life,
and what happened after he died.
Pre-Akhenaton
Religion
Art
Role of the
Pharaoh
Akhenaton’s Rule
Post-Akhenaton
Women in Ancient Egypt
Using Chapter Two from Echoes from the Past: World History to the 16th Century, fill in the
following diagram.
Degree of
Legal and
Economic
Equality
Degree
of
Political
Equality
Political and
Economic
roles in
ancient
Egypt
Legal roles in
ancient Egypt
Women in
Ancient
Egypt
Social
Roles (consider religion too)
Degree of Social Equality
Evolution of Egyptian Burial Practices
Egyptian Trade
Using Chapter Two in Echoes from the Past: World History to the 16th Century as a source, fill in the
following chart on Egypt’s economy and trade.
Topic
Land Routes
Sea Routes
Types of Imports
Types of Exports
Description and Impact on Egypt
Egyptian Trade Routes
On this map of the Mediterranean, indicate the flow of trade goods to and from Egypt. Make your map
visually appealing by using arrows to indicate the flow of goods, labeling your map, using a key and
incorporating relevant images.
Religion and Its Effect on Continuity and Stability in
Ancient Egypt
Name:
Date:
1. Using your textbook, provide a definition for each of the key features of Egyptian
Theology at the centre of the diagram.
2. Respond to the questions that surround the centre by reading the relevant pages from
your text and then creating a hypothesis for each circle.
Civilization / Era: Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom of Egypt
General History of Civilization
- Old Kingdom was from 2686 BCE to 2150 BCE, and the Middle Kingdom from 2050 BCE to 1700 BCE
- Old Kingdom - Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. Lower represented by red crown, and Upper represented by white crown.
- King Menes was believed to unite these to parts, and wore a double crown to symbolize unity.
- Central Government broke down at the end of the Old Kingdom
-civil wars thrust Egypt into 150 years of anarchy now referred to as the First Intermediate Period.
- Theban Kings ruled Egypt at his time, and would for the next 250 years
- Was a time when Egypt experienced 2 centuries of peace and stability during which the nation prospered
Geography of Civilization
- 4 major geographical locations surrounding Egypt that influenced the culture and civilization: The Nile Valley, The Nile Delta and the Faiyum, Deserts,
and the Mediterranean Sea
- Nile Valley was the wealth of Egypt, and depended on the water of the Nile was made up the White Nile and Blue Nile. Tigris and Euphrates River also
depended on their fortune.
-They feared the Nile but at the same time depended on it.
- The area where the Nile empties into the Mediterranean was known as the Nile Delta
- This was the largest fertile land in Egypt, and was the third largest settlement in Egypt
- The Nile Valley was between 2 deserts, Eastern and Western Desert, which protected Egypt from invasion and was also the source was minerals, supplies,
gold, tin, copper, and natron
Characteristic
Centralized
Government /
Leaders
Old Kingdom
King Menes: He is believed to have been the first to
unite Egypt and wore the double crown symbolizing the
unity Egypt and wore the double crown symbolizing the
unity of the two kingdoms and he also had absolute
power in Egypt.
Imhotep: Imhotep was one the great leaders of Egypt
although he was not a Pharaoh. But his life was
extremely important. He was considered a genius. His
contributions to Egyptian society were so great that he
rose to become the right hand man of the Pharaoh Djoser.
Middle Kingdom
Political Structures: They believed Pharaohs where the
earthly embodiment of the god Horus, son of Amon-Re.
The King or Pharaoh had absolute power. The king was
expected to govern to rule of Ma’at.
Agricultural
Intensity /
Way of Life
- Important influence on Egyptian culture and civilization
was The Nile River.
- Water from the Nile, came from the white Nile and the
blue Nile which did the flooding during July and
October.
- The flood had left behind a rich moist soil, which gave
a fertile soil for agriculture
- They were able to plan with some certainty the planting
and harvesting of crops concluding the outcome of the
Nile
- They feared the Nile because they became reliant on the
flooding for harvest and growth.
- Egyptian prosperity and stability were dependent on
abundant harvests and the ability to manage food
supplies in order to survive years in which harvest
declined.
- The abundance of food supplies was the measure of
Egypt’s wealth. Full granaries, plenty of wildlife and
fish, and thriving herds were the signs of prosperous
times.
- Agriculture production was organized to provide a
stable food supply for both the living and the dead.
Surplus food was used in trade with neighbouring
people.
Religion
- Trade had initiated culture change, which began to form
religion at this time.
Class Structure
- Lower Egypt known as the Delta Kingdom
-was ruled by a monarchy symbolized by the red crown
- Upper Egypt represented by the white crown
- King Menes-believed to be the first to unite Egypt and
believed to be the first to wear a double crown
symbolizing the unity of the two kingdoms
Science,
Technology,
Arts
- In sculpture and painting, the human figure was usually
represented with the head in profile, the eye and
shoulders in front view, and the pelvis, legs, and feet in
profile. This was known as the law of frontality.
- Colour in art was applied in flat tones, and there was no
attempt at linear perspective.
- The artist's task was to produce a statement of reality
- Tombs were decorated with domestic, military, hunting,
and ceremonial scenes
- Trade became important, by engaging in trade
throughout much of the Mediterranean, and by mining
copper in the Sinai Peninsula.
- The Egyptians acquired tremendous wealth in both
materials goods and new ideas to gain economic growth.
- Egypt introduced important goods of trade such as
timber from Syria, wine and oil from Crete, and the
Gods: One of the gods that where really important to
the Egyptians was there National God Amon-Re which
was the Son god Re and Amon a local Theban Deity
merged together.
- Ruler of the middle kingdom-encouraged social
mobility through the promotion of members of the
middle class
- The Structure of Ancient Egyptian Society, Gods,
Pharaoh, Government officials, Soldiers, Scribes,
Merchants
Artisans, Farmers, Slaves
- Hysksos conquered using technologically superior
weapons like improved bows, horse drawn carriages
and bronze weapons.
- mastered new weapons and drove out the Hysksos and
gained a technological evolution from this 150-year
conquest.
- The forms of the Old Kingdom were retained, but the
unity of style of the art was broken.
- Increase delicacy of craftsmanship.
- Trade begun in the Mediterranean Sea but reached as
far as Northern Europe, subtropical Africa, and the Near
East.
- The Last Bronze Age ships would travel in a circular
pattern starting in Egypt, to Syria and Palestine, and
then on to Cyprus, the Aegean Sea before heading back
toward North Africa and Egypt.
Merchant and
Trade
potter’s wheel from Mesopotamia
Occupation
Specialization /
Gender Roles
- Women-same legal rights as men
-did not hold important titles, had little political power,
were usually illiterate, and were banned from intellectual
and government life
- did a lot of household work
- Men-head of family and passed on the inheritance to his
children
- could have as many wives as he wanted
Impact on
History /
Society
- The Old Kingdom was known for its incredible
architecture, designed by Imhotep, who was the founder
of Egyptian system of medicine, and was highly regarded
for hundreds of years as the best of the ancient world. He
designed and supervised the construction of the world’s
first pyramid built and designed the fantastic tomb in
which he and Pharaoh Djoser’s corpses laid to rest in
- Construction of the three pyramids at Giza.
- Trade of culture became much more important than
trade of goods and kept civilizations growing
-Trade was introduced to the barter system
- Egyptians sold goods, paid salaries, collected taxes,
and even paid interest on loans through the exchange of
goods.
- Pharaoh-owned all land, the people, and their
possessions of Egypt
- King-governed a portion of land under the Pharaoh’s
name
- any personal wealth, said to be from king
- Government Officials-advised the king, enforced the
laws, pleased gods, oversaw the: construction of the
pyramids and tombs, sought trade
- were rewarded for their efforts with grants of land and
valuable food
- Scribes-recorded the deeds of the Pharaohs, real or
imagined, and kept stock of supplies
- filled the role of vizier or prime minister to the king
- Vizier-were the advisors to the king
- Minor Officials-collected taxes etc.
- The Middle Kingdom changed the world by spreading
their vast knowledge of things through a broad trading
network.
- centered around the Mediterranean Sea
- interchanging of such a variety of cultures; many
ideas, forms of artistic expression, technology, and
building methods were developed
- became known for even more of its traditions and
technological advancements.
Early Civilizations and Near East:
The New Kingdom of Egypt – Temples
General History Of Civilization
The New Kingdom of Egypt was a civilization that revolved around religion and its traditions. They focused very much on burial
practices, and the after life. The king or queen always promoted religion, and would build temples to honour their culture and faith.
Every element, every ceremony, had a religious aspect, and was given a religious figure to guide and watch over it.
Characteristic
Hatsheput
Tuthmosis
III
Akhenaton
Tutankhamun
Rames II
Centralized
Government /
Leaders
- Declared herself
the queen
- Reigned for the
longest of the four
female rulers (15
years)
- Only female to
rule when not
under dynastic
crisis
- Rule described as
period of peace,
stability and
prosperity
- Expanded
Egyptian trade, had
a massive tomb
built and two
obelisks
- Inherited
throne but
did not reign
until his late
twenties
- Called the
“Napoleon
of Egypt” as
he was very
military
oriented
- Egypt
gained
wealth
through the
money
collected
from
conquered
countries
- Focused on reforming
religion from the
worship of Amon-Re to
Aton
- Built a new capital
city called Akhetaton
(place of the glory of
aton) which was far
from the centre of
Egypt
- Closed temples that
worshipped other gods
and took their
possessions
- Is sometimes called
the first monotheist
(believed in one god)
- Neglected his role as
pharaoh of Egypt and
from then the decline
began
- Became pharaoh at age of
9
- Changed / stopped
Akhenaton’s religion reform
- Changed his name from
Tuankhaton to
Tutankhamun; rejecting his
fathers religion of Aton
- Moved capital back to
Thebes
- Died at 18 suddenly from a
supposed blow to the back
of the head
- Buried in a tomb of a
member of nobility which
lay relatively undisturbed
-Commonly known for the
great wealth found in his
tomb (a solid gold coffin)
-Reigned 60
years after
Tutankhamun
- Had more
buildings and
statues built
during his reign
than any other
pharaoh
- Not long after
his reign, Egypt
fell
Religion
- Egyptians were very religious people
- Religion was generally primitive; consisted of the traditions and customs they performed; very important in all
aspects of life
- The Egyptians believed that those who created Earth, men, animals etc. were the most significant gods
- They believed that the earth was formed when a hill emerged from the waters of chaos, and Atum, “the perfect
one” was standing on the hill, and he then created the air, moisture, sky etc., and each element was represented
by a god
- Amon was the god of the kings, and there were gods of death as well
- Each being had a ka, ba, and akh
- The god Khnum created the child on a potter’s wheel and then put it in the mother’s womb, and also created
the soul, which was the ka; this was placed in the heart, and left the body at the time of death
- The ba entered the body at birth, and left at death; this was the personality
- The akh was the form that the mummy took that could live in the after world
- The Egyptian values and morals were order, justice and truth, called the Ma’at; they used these to achieve
peace with the gods and to be allowed in the after world
- For Egyptians, death was not a bad thing, but was looked at positively; it was a place where the dead could
participate in activities that had made them happy during their life on Earth
- In order to reach the after life, two things were necessary; the items that were to be enjoyed in the after life by
the ka, who stayed with the body after death had to be placed in the tomb, and the preservation of the body,
through the process of mummification
- The preservation of the body was the main focus of their religious beliefs, and took seventy days to complete,
with the organs, including the brain being removed and the body being wrapped in linen
- The religious revolution that occurred, with the King Akhenaton forcing everyone to pray to Aton, was
destroying Egypt, and was ended when King Tut came into power, and restored the worship of Amon, the god
of kings
- The kings and queens generally contributed much to the temples, helping to promote religion and expand the
places of worship
Art in Egypt and Ancient Israel
General History of the Ancient Israel Civilization: Israel is where Abraham was given a new land from God. His Grandson was
the one who named it Israel. Some of the people fled to Egypt to avoid drought and famine; however they were enslaved by the
Egyptians. Later on Moses led them out of this slavery, (exodus) and back to their land.
Geography of Civilization: Abraham’s land –Shechem in Canaan; which is now called Israel.
Egypt New Kingdom
Ancient Israel
If you look at the class structure you can see that the Pharaoh was
above all and the Government officials came after that. So
Pharaohs had a major influence on the government.
-Israel was “God ruled” and Abraham’s
grandson had split the people into 12
tribes.
-The Israelites in Egypt had escaped by
Moses organizing the tribes into a
confederation using a covenant (a
solemn agreement.
-After settling in Palestine the Israelites
still had no central government.
Agricultural
Intensity/
Way of life
Centralized
Government/
Leaders
Charact
eristics
-During this time the Nile had flooded, and therefore dams and
canals had to be repaired and maintained.
-Fertile soil was left behind from the river, allowing labourers to
sow seeds after surveyors correctly mark the land with ropes.
- To churn the ground, labourers send herds of animals over the
soil to stomp the seeds.
-Tax collectors and scribes calculated yield and assess taxes of
the land. The harvest produced was send to landowner’s kitchens,
town markets, and given to the labourers as payment.
-Farmers were considered very low in class. They are found in
the second last level in the structure of Egyptian society.
-The majority of the labour was
supplied by conscripted foreigners, like
the Israelites.
Their job was to serve in the army, till
the fields, have the roads paved,
construct temples, and build new
palaces and cities.
Merchant
and
Trade
Science and Technology,
Arts
Class Structure
Religion
-Jewish faith was solely based on the
concept of the Covenant. Yahweh
which was first God made at the time
of Abraham and later renewed under
Moses
- Hebrews worship Yahweh as their
only god, in which return they were to
be Yahweh’s chosen people and were
promised the land of Canaan
- Yahweh was just one god among
many that were worshipped in the Near
East such as Baal, Enlil, Marduk, and
Amon-Re, he was the main and only
true god, thus laying the foundations
for a monotheistic (one god) religion
- Hebrews believed that their god
intervened in human affairs and
forgave those who truly regretted their
wrongs
- Prophets also played a big roll to the
success and development of Judaism
they were the corruption of society and
God’s forgiveness if people repented
their sins
- the Prophets declared that God would
prove his love for his people by
providing a Messiah (a person with
divine power) to lead the nation of
Israel
-The classes in order from highest to lowest were:
Pharaoh, Government Officials, Soldiers, Scribes, Merchants,
Artisans, Farmers, Slaves.
-The sophistication in dress and jewellery was improved with the
significance of rank or family.
-Every child had to learn how to read and write it was a major
priority in Egypt, however the sons of priests, Pharaohs, and the
administrative families had a more advanced education and
usually passed on the father’s positions to the sons.
Statue
- Gender difference
- Perspective
-Number 1 form of art
Painting / carved relief
-Found in tombs of pharaohs
-To show activities by the life of the pharaoh or the activities in
after life
-Sometimes not accurate because of “false transparency -Stone
figures were also found, Medicine, Writing
-Commonly the man of the house hold would have a job and pass
it down to his sons
-It was strongly advised not to switch jobs because of the risk
involved
-Barter system
-Were forced to help Egyptian military,
forced to construct pave roads, build
temples, new place, and tow new cities
Occupation
Specialization
Gender Roles
Impact On
History /
Society
Women were generally well treated and enjoyed considerable
legal rights compared with women in other ancient civilizations.
- they shared same legal rights as men, these legal rights allowed
women to be economically independant
-at times roles of women seemed purely decorative, since they
are usually depicted in ideal slender and young form.
-home was womens domain, common title for a married woman
in ancient Egypt was nebet per meaning "lady of the house"
MEN--husband was the head of the family and passed on the
inheritance to his childern.
men were not ristricted in the number of wives they could have
-usually they did take only one wife.
-priests also exerted a powerful moral influence and although
harems and concubines existed, sexual excesses were not evident
in everyday social life
-man of household was the labourer
-Value of art
-Value of animals(pets)
-Government (salivary)
-Treatment of women
-Clothing
-Value of education
-Skill of writing
-Technology
-Medicine
Jewish culture and religious beliefs
have influenced all the ancient cultures
of the Near East.
-Many of their traditions are still alive
today and not only among the Jews but
with other cultures as well.
- Treatment of lower class people
(slaves)
Biblical (old testament)