First Civilizations: Africa and
Asia
3200 B.C.E.-500 B.C.E
Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile

Geography of the Nile Valley
1.
2.
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Yearly Floods
Uniting the Land
Two distinct regions
1.
2.
Upper Egypt in the south
Lower Egypt in the north
Upper Egypt
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Stretched from the first cataract or waterfall
of the Nile northward to within 100 miles of
the Mediterranean.
Valley of the Nile is 500 miles long, measured
from the First Cataract. Until it reached the
delta it is only a few miles in the valley.
Flooding irrigated the land.
Menes, the King of Upper Egypt, united both
the upper and lower Egypt in 3100 B.C.E.
Early Civilization in Ancient
Egypt
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Farming began in the Nile Valley after 6000
B.C.E. Climate was much wetter, even farmed in
the area that is now the Sahara desert.
By 4,000 B.C.E, the climate was drier and the
Sahara had turned to desert. Some of the
farmers had returned nomadic life and others
migrated to the Nile Valley.
By 3,000 B.C.E, a kingdom in southern Egypt
had emerged. The use of hieroglyphics as the
form of writing had been developed.
Hieroglyphics

http://www.kingtuttreasures.com/hiero.htm
Upper and Lower
Egypt
6000 B.C.E.
Farming
begins in the
Nile Valley
3300-3100 B.C.E.
3000 B.C.E
The first towns
develop. The
hieroglypic script
is invented.
Upper and Lower The first pyramid
Egypt united into is built for king
one kingdom.
Djoser at Saqqara
Timeline
2630 B.C.E
Early Dynastic Period
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A dynasty is when one ruling family passes
power to another.
Power of the king is derived from belief that the
king was the son of the sun god Ra and was
thought to be immortal.
Egypt is united into one kingdom
Established Memphis as the capital, placed in
between the two areas.
2940-2649 B.C.E
Old Kingdom 2649-2134
2490-2452 B.C.E.
2134-2040
Unknown
Sphinx
2589-2566
B.C.E.
Khufu’s
Pyramid Built
on the Giza
Plateau
2558-2532
2575 B.C.E.
B.C.E.
Khafre’s
During the
fourth Dynasty, Pyramid Built
on the Giza
royal power
Plateau
increases
dramatically
B.C.E.
Menekaures’s
Pyramid Built
on the Giza
Plateau
B.C.E.
First
Intermediate
Period
Egypt is
divided into
2 kingdoms.
The Old Kingdom

Pharaohs were the Egyptian rulers who
organized a strong, centralized state.
1.
2.
3.

Pharaohs claimed divine support for their rule.
Believed the pharaoh was a god
Had absolute power, owning and ruling all the land
in the kingdom.
Pharaohs had a vizier, a chief minister who
supervised the business of government.
1.
2.
Supervised departments such as tax collection, farming,
irrigation system.
Scribes
Pyramids
Khafre
Khafre was the son of Khufu, was also known as Rakhael
or Chaphren . He ruled from 2520-2494 B.C. And is
responsible for the second largest pyramid complex at
Giza, which includes the Great Sphinx, a Mortuary
Temple , and a valley temple. The most distinctive
feature of Khafre’s Pyramid is the topmost layer of
smooth stones that are the only remaining casing stones
on a Giza Pyramid.
Pyramid
Built: 2558-2532B.C.
Average weight of individual blocks of stone: 2.5 tons
Height: Originally 471 feet, now 446 feet
Base: 704 ft.
Khufu

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King Khufu, who is also known by the greek
name, “Cheops,” was the father of pyramid
building at Giza. He ruled from 2589-2566 B.C.
and was the sun of King Sneferu and Queen
Hetpeheres.
Giza Pyramid
Built: 2589-2566 B.C.
Total Blocks used: 2, 300,000 Weight: 6.5 million tons
Average weight of individual blocks of stone: 2.5 tons
Height: Originally 481 feet, now 449 feet
Menekaure
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Built the smallest pyramid
Son of Khafre
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/e
xplore/
Pyramids


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/e
xplore/
http://college.livetext.com/doc/64508
End of the Old Kingdom
Factors that contributed to the collapse of
the Old Kingdom:
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Power struggles
Crop failures
Cost of the pyramids
Egypt split into two parts for over one
hundred years.
Middle Kingdom
New pharaohs came to power who reunited the
kingdoms
 Turbulent period
 Nile did not rise as frequently so farming was less
abundant.
 Corruption and rebellions were common.
On the positive side: new land was claimed when drainage
projects were successful
 Egyptian armies invaded Nubia
 Trade was established around the Middle East and the
Mediterranean.

Middle Kingdom continued
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The Middle Kingdom ended with the
invasion of the Hyksos in the delta area of
the Nile in 1700 B.C.E
They brought new technology with
chariots
Hyksos adopted Egyptian customs, beliefs
and names.
After 100 years, Egyptian leaders threw
out the Hyksos which led to the New
New Kingdom


Probably the greatest time of growth and
power as Egypt developed into a large
empire. At its height of power it reached
to the Euphrates River.
During the period of conquest, the Empire
brought more of its citizens in contact with
southwestern Asia and Africa.
Hatshepsut
(1540 B.C.-1462)
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Daughter of Tutmoses I and wife of Tutmoses II
Was regent when husband died
Took over throne and declared herself the
pharaoh.
Built temples and funeral temple
Wore the beard of pharaoh
Reigned for 20 years
Successor tried to erase all mention of
Hatshepsut and her accomplishments.
Hatshepsut as Pharaoh

Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut
Designed by Senenmut, the queen’s
confident and architect
Ramses II
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Pushed Egyptian empire to Syria
Most powerful ruler of New Kingdom
period
Ruled for 67 years.
Had over 111 sons and 51 daughters with
all his wives.
Built many monuments
Egypt declined in power after his death.
Egypt and Nubia
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Nubia was also known as Kush
Traded with Nubia-slaves, ivory and cattle
During the New Kingdom, Egypt invaded and
captured Nubia.
Used gold to build monuments
Nubians served in army and other areas of
Egyptian life.
In 750 B.C. the Nubians captured Egypt
Ruled for 100 years until pushed back to Nubia
in 650 B.C.E
Nubian rulers continued to rule for 1,000 years.
Hierarchy of Egyptian Society
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Status
of
Women
Enjoyed higher status and greater independence
Could inherit property
Enter into business deals
Buy and sell goods
Go to court
Obtain a divorce
Women’s employment
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Owned businesses
Managed farm estates
Served as doctors and priestesses
Could not be a scribe
Scribes
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Scribes had a central role
Temple scribes kept records of
ceremonies, taxes and gifts.
Served nobles and the pharaoh
Could rise in society.
The evolution of the written
language
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Hieroglyphs
Ideograms
Demotic
Use of papyrus and reed pens
Rosetta Stone
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After the decline of the Egyptian empire and loss
of papyrus documents, the hieroglyphs could not
be read.
Found by Napoleon’s troops in early 1800’s
Champollion unraveled the mystery of the
hieroglyphs with the use of the Rosetta Stone.
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/explore/hig
hlights/highlight_image.aspx?image=an16456b.j
pg&retpage=22108
Advances in Medicine and
Science
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Medicine
Astronomy
Mathematics
Arts and Literature
Statues
 Paintings
 Carvings
Pharaohs depicted as larger figures.
Human figures drawn in profile.
Use of animal heads on people to show
gods.
Statues very stiff and stylized.

The Gods of Egypt
Religion and Ancient Egypt

The Ancient Egyptians
worshipped a number of
gods and goddesses,
each of whom have
different roles or
functions, as well as
variety of creation
myths.
Amun
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Originally a Theban deity, the god became the
primary god during the Middle Kingdom.
Represented as man with a double plumed
crown or with the head of a ram.
Combined with other deities-with the sun god
Ra, became Amun-Ra
With Fertility god became Amun-Min
Anubis
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Represented as a dog or as a man with
dog’s head.
Anubis is the god of the dead.
Priests may have performed the rituals
wearing a mask.
Weighing of the heart
Cult later merged with Osiris
Bastet
Daughter of Ra
 Sekhment-lioness goddess
 Earliest depiction was of
a women with a lionness’ head
By 1,000, she appeared as the cat.

Hathor
Bovine goddess Hathor was one of the
most important deities in Ancient Egypt.
 Goddess of dance and music
 Lady of the west-received the sun
And kept it safe to dawn
 Lady of Turquoise or of Byblos
 Offered protection to the dead in
the afterlife.

Horus
Falcon god, Horus
 Embodiment of divine kingship
 Son of Osiris, avenge death of
Father to become king
Deity of the sky,Horus was associated
With the sun and the moon:
God of the sunrise
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Isis
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Cult of Isis-spread beyond Egypt
Wife of Osiris
Mother of Horus
Divine mother of reigning Pharaoh
Healing powers
Protected young
Cured the sun god, Ra for knowledge of his
secret name. Told Horus
Myth of Osiris
Jealous of Osiris, who reigned over Egypt, his
brother, Seth assassinated him in order to gain
power. Isis searched for the body, found it in
Byblos and brought it back to Egypt. Crazed
with anger, Seth cut the body into pieces, which
he scattered over the country. Isis took up her
quest again, reassembled the body and, with the
help of Anubis, mummified her husband. After
turning herself into a bird, she brought Osiris
back to life, magically conceiving Horus in the
process.
Osiris
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One of the most important of the gods.
Associated with death, resurrection and
fertility.
Maat
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Personification of truth, justice and
harmony
Responsible for regulating the stars, the
seasons, and the actions of both humans
and god.
Weighing of the heart-justice.
Nephthys
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Sister of Isis
Wife of the evil god, Seth
Mother of Anubis, father was Osiris
Protectress of the dead
Often pictured at the head of the coffin,
Isis at the feet
Ptah
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God of craftsmen
Ptah brought the world into existance by
uttering the names of things.
Held a scepter that symbolized stability,
life and welfare.
Seth
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Murderer of Osiris, enemy of Horus
Associated with the hostile deserts of
Egypt
Guarded Ra in his dangerous 12 hour
journey through the night.
Sobek
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The crocodile god
Associated with the strength and power of
the pharaoh
Also to ward off the crocodiles
Thoth
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Depicted with the head of a baboon or an
ibis
God writing and wisdom
Lunar deity
Wrote down the results of the weighing of
the heart ceremony
Ra
Ra was depicted as hawk-headed figure
Wearing a headdress featuring a solar disk

THE AFTERLIFE
The AFTERLIFE
Akhenaton and the Sun God
Aton
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Son of Tiy and Amenhotep III
Forced religion on subjects: worship of the
sun god, Aton or Aten
Pushed out other gods
Moved capitol to el-Amarna
Married to Nefertiti and had six daughters
Was succeeded by Smenkere and
Tutankhamun
Tuthankhamun
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Minor king of the 18th dynasty
Came to throne at 8
Died by the time he was 18
Probably the sun of Akhenaton and a
lesser wife.
Tomb found by Howard Carter
City States of Ancient Sumer
•First known civilization in the
Fertile Crescent
•Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
provided irrigation, but also flooded
the lands
•The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story
of a flood that destroyed the world.
•Priests and leaders organized public
works to build dikes and irrigation canals.
•Built cities out of clay
•Trade routes were developed to Sumer
•First to use wheeled vehicles.
Sumerian Civilization


Rival city-states battled for control of
land and water.
Ruler was responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Maintaining city walls
Irrigation system
Led armies
Enforced the laws
Chief servant of the gods and lead ceremonies
Employed scribes to keep records and collect
taxes.
Sumerian Social Hierachy
Women’s Role in Society
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Mother goddess
Wives of rulers had special powers:
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ruled in place of king when he was at war
Supervised royal workshops
Women had legal rights
Wealthy women engaged in trade and
owned property
Sumerian Religion

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Polytheistic
Gods had human behavior
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Highest duty to keep the divine beings happy
and city-state safe
Shrine to gods
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Responsible for violence and suffering
Favored truth and justice
Sacrifices
Holy days and ceremonies
Belief in afterlife of grim place with no relief

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Ziggurat
Ziggurats
Temples were originally built on platforms. During the third
millennium B.C., these were made higher and bigger. Eventually it
was decided to build even higher temples on platforms which were
stepped. These stepped towers we call ziggurats. By 2000 B.C.
mud-brick ziggurats were being constructed in many Sumerian
cities. Later, ziggurats were constructed in Babylonian and Assyrian
cities. No one knows for certain why ziggurats were built or how
they were used. They are part of temple complexes, so they were
probably connected with religion.
http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/ziggurats/home_set.html
Advances in Learning

Invented the earliest form of writing-cuneiform
Pictographs
Record: records, myths, prayers, laws, treaties, business
contracts.

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Schooling of scribes
Mathematics

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Developed algebra and geometry
Number system of six

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Hour
360 degrees
Astronomy
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Calendar
Movement of stars
Invaders, Traders, Empire
Builders

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Sargon,ruler of Akkad, defeats Sumer
Hammurabi, king of Babylon, defeats
Mespotamia

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Code of Hammurabi
300 laws on stone pillar: stele
Codified laws for governing a state
Criminal law: “eye for an eye”
Civil law: business contracts, property inheritance,
taxes, marriage and divorce
He improved irrigation, organized a well-trained
army, repaired temples
Promoted Babylonian god, Marduk, over other
gods.
Hittites Contributions

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1400 B.C.
Able to extract iron out of ore.
Tools and weapons were harder
Ushered in the Iron age
Assyrian Warriors

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1100 B.C.E-started to expand across
Mesopotamia
500 years most feared warriors
Well ordered society
Regulated life in royal household

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Women secluded
Veiled
First library
Persian Empire


Babylon fell to Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C.
Policy of tolerance for peoples they conquered

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
Asia Minor to India
Present day: Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Afghanistan and
Pakistan
Darius (522-486 B.C.)

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Unified Persia
Divided into provinces: governor called Satrap
Common set of laws
Built roads
Weights and measures
Use of coins: went from barter system to monetary
system
Zoroaster

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Religious beliefs helped to united Persia
Zoroaster lived about 600 B.C.
Only one god: Ahura Mazda

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Wise god
Battle with Ahriman-prince of lies and evil
Each individual had to choose between gods
Teachings in Zend-Avesta
Judgment day
Ideas later stressed by Christianity and
Islam
Phoenician Sea Traders

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Sailors and traders
Came from cities around Mediterranean
that is now Lebanon and Syria
Manufacturing: glass, dye from shells,
papyrus to make books
Traded goods all over the Mediterranean
even as far as England: established
colonies
Alphabet of 22 letters
The Roots of Judaism

Nomadic People

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Abraham of Ur in Mesopotamia led people to Canaan
Moses-lead slaves out of Egypt
Kingdom of Israel

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David: united tribes into one nation
Solomon: wise and understanding king
Revolt after death
Division into two kingdoms: Israel and Judah


722 B.C. Israel fell to Assyrians
586 B.C. Babylonian armies captured Judah.
Destroyed temple
Exiled to Babylon-Now called Jews

Jews freed by Cyrus of Persia-allowed to return to Israel
Religion

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One God: monotheistic
Covenant with Abraham
Moses renewed covenant
Patriarchal society
Ten Commandments: keeping the Sabbath

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Prophets
Ethics
Diaspora