Lecture Egypt Questions to Consider 1 In what ways did the environment shape Egypt The Nile River is the basis of Egypt Religion trade politics also effected the people and environment Egyptians believe that the Gods were good to them because of their good and stable living conditions 2 What were the significant contributions of Egyptian civilization to the foundations of Western civilization How did these contributions spread positive view of afterlife 3 What were the key contributions of the Hebrews to the foundations of Western civilization Christian religion is based on the beginning structure of the Hebrews I The Egyptians People of the Nile A The Nile 1 Advantages of Geography Flows smoothly especially in Lower Egypt Nile is an artery for transportation and trade Possible to live close to the river Easy to plant and harvest nearby The Nile provides food writing materials building material etc 2 Disadvantages of Geography River flows north so it is more difficult to go to Upper Egypt Large and long kingdom Nile was not bridged B The Nile and Egyptian Religion Religion was shaped by the Nile 1 Egyptian Polytheism Believed in many Gods that had many different responsibilities 2 The Concept of ma at The right and correct way to behave and do the right thing Correct balance there would be consequences if the universe wasn t in the correct balance Goddess who pulls the plume Ma at The heart is weighed against the feather and ankh in order to see if the individual would be resurrected or if they put the world out of balance 3 The Book of the Dead Instruction manual on how Egyptians should think of life death and resurrection Tells what life after death will be like II Egyptian Pharaohs and Social Structure A The God King Pharaoh Don t believe the Pharaoh s body is immortal but his caw is immortal Don t believe he is strongest or best 1 Pharaoh s Power Authority of Egyptian law Divine Secular non religious Owns all land Wealthiest person in all kingdoms of Egypt Power is represented physically pyramids tombs etc 2 System of Rule What the Pharaoh says goes completely If one is to break rules they re making an offense against the gods Huge royal family multiple wives and concubines mate for one of high status Pharaoh s family were military leaders priests and scribes B Social Divisions and Work in Ancient Egypt 1 Scribes Members of royal family Record keepers accountants etc Secular function in society Literate Crude beurocrat 2 Farmers Majority of commoners Along banks of Nile Call their homes their own and may share with whomever If you built it you have the right to to reside there however Pharaoh owns everything Farm along the Nile seasonally When river was flooded farmers would be called upon to build monumental figures 3 Civic and Family Responsibility Responsibility to abide to ma at Father is head of household then the mother only until the sons grow older then they are next in line even before their mother Daughters are least important must obey to all other family members mother father and brothers they were told who to marry or maybe even not to marry and take care of family for their life 4 Slaves Present in Egyptian society but before the new kingdom slaves are not vital Small amount of slaves Taken in from conflict usually from the very far south or very far north Slaves were property of those overseeing them in most cases Pharaoh s III Key Periods of Ancient Egyptian History One of the longest lived civilization periods in the world A Pre Dynastic Period 1 Key Features Settled on the Nile being the center and basis of Egypt with an even flow of life and death death when water is at lowest level and harvest is dead life is when land is fertile and river is high again First pyramids began to be built step pyramids 2 Change over time At end of period Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt came together to form one Egypt B The Old Kingdom 1 Key Features Egypt became one at beginning of this kingdom with a Pharaoh Population explosion Regular agriculture C First Intermediate Period 1 Key features Egypt was not a whole Pharaoh s struggled to reunify Egypt Civil war period 2 Change over time Pharaoh s reasserted their power D The Middle Kingdom 1 Key Features New system of code rule came about oldest son becomes pharaoh when current pharaoh dies but instead of waiting until father dies son was sent to rule upper Egypt and he then would move to take his fathers place once father died Nubia was conquered and added to Egypt E Second Intermediate Period 1 Key Features Outside invaders came to Egypt Hyksos F The New Kingdom Egyptians began to form an army they armed themselves put up walls fortified themselves etc Developed into a true empire Gave birth to Aten tried to push monotheism whose son was Tutankhamen IV The Hebrews A The Hebrew State Jewish religion introduction of monotheism polytheism monolatry worshiping one god but acknowledging the others monotheism 1 Moses and the Exodus 2 Jerusalem and the temple 3 The Babylonian Captivity B The Jewish Religion 1 Yahweh and the Covenant How individuals should behave to be righteous 2 The 10 Commandments