Chapter 2

Ancient Egypt

Between 6000 & 5000 BC humans began to settle along the banks of a river called the Nile. These settlers would begin a civilization called Egypt.

The Nile River – the longest in the world – sheltered Egypt with a delta to the North & cataracts to the south. Deserts like the Sahara also provide Egypt with barriers.

The Nile River often flooded, but the Egyptians used clever irrigation and farming skills to strengthen their growing civilization.

The Egyptians grew smart. They made papyrus paper and developed a system of writing called hieroglyphics that provides us with a record of their deeds.

At first, Egypt was divided into 2 kingdoms in the North & South. A king named Narmer would unite the land, and ruled it all from a city called Memphis.

Narmer’s kingdom continued after his death within his family. This created in Egypt its first dynasty, and established the Pharaohs.

Pharaohs were Egyptian kings. Egyptians believed Pharaohs were owed the greatest respect because they were related to the Gods.

Egyptians worshiped many deities. A sun God named Re led the polytheist religion, but there were many other Gods.

Egyptians believed that a God named Hapi ruled over the Nile River. Gods named Isis and Osirus ruled over the dead.

Egyptians believed in life after death. Important people – like the Pharaoh – would have their bodies embalmed in preparation for the afterlife.

No ordinary tomb would do for a Pharaoh. Instead, the Egyptians built giant stone pyramids as their resting place.

The largest pyramid still stands in Egypt. The Great pyramid of Giza was built for King Khufu, and is the size of a 48-story building.

After a period of confusion & battle, the Pharaohs lost control of Egypt. When order was restored a new era of prosperity began called the “Middle Kingdom.”

Egyptian armies conquered the lands of their neighbors. Those they defeated were forced to pay tributes that made Egypt wealthy.

With the fortunes they acquired, the Pharaohs built waterways, dams, & canals. Egyptian art blossomed, and the civilization enjoyed years of peace.

The peace would end when a warrior-civilization called the Hyksos conquered Egypt, and ruled for 150 years. Egypt needed a savior.

Around 1550 BC a prince named Ahmose led an uprising that drove the Hyksos out of Egypt. His reign began a “New Kingdom” in Egypt.

During the New Kingdom Egypt reached its height of glory. They conquered civilizations as far away as Mesopotamia.

Rulers like Thutmose III and even Queen Hatshepsut expanded Egypt’s empire and built many monuments to their power.

A ruler named Akhenaton and his Queen Nefertiti tried to re-organize Egypt’s religion to a monotheist one. Many people refused, which began to weaken the empire.

Akhenaton’s successor was a boy Pharaoh named Tutankhamen. He died young, but is remembered today for the treasures found in his tomb.

A British archaeologist named Howard Carter found the tomb in AD 1922. The discovery captured people’s imaginations.

During the 1200s BC, a Pharaoh named Ramses II began a 66-year reign that brought Egypt greater glory.

Ramses II ordered many temples to be built – including the famous Sphinx. When Ramses II died, Egypt’s power finally began to fade.

Neighboring countries slipped out of Egyptian control using advanced weapons in battle. In about 750 BC a group of people called the “Kush” conquered the kingdom.

The Kush, who lived South of Egypt, had adopted many Egyptian ways. They were Nubians who were great warriors that grew wealthy from trade.

The Kush did not get to enjoy the empire for very long. A civilization called the Assyrians used advanced iron weapons of their own to conquer Egypt’s former lands.