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Ancient Egypt: Rise and Fall of Empires

Explore Egypt's history from The Old Kingdom to Babylon and Persian Empires, including monotheism, Phoenicians, Assyrians, and more. Learn about key events, rulers, and societal developments shaping the ancient world.

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Ancient Egypt: Rise and Fall of Empires

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  1. World History Chapter 2 – Egypt

  2. Geographical Facts - Egypt • No Nile, no crops • Surrounded by natural boundaries (Right is Syrian Desert, Left is Libyan Desert, North is Med. Sea, South is thick jungles & wild rivers) • Had long periods of peace • Had abundant raw mat’s (gold, copper, stone) • Climate – dry and healthy

  3. The Old Kingdom - Egypt • In 3100 B.C. a Ruler named Menes united all of Egypt • Thus began “The Old Kingdom” of Egyptian Civilization • Rulers took the title Pharaoh (means “House of the Ruler”) • They were above ordinary citizens • They were thought to be able to control floods • Many discoveries in science – including pyramids • Menes founded dynasty which is a family of rulers that is hereditary • 2 main groups: Upper and lower class (upper included pharaoh, nobles, priests, officials) and (lower included everyone else)

  4. The Sphinx

  5. …Continued • Pharaoh’s power declined; noble families rival pharaoh • This destroyed the Old Kingdom and 100 years of anarchy followed • 2000 B.C. – the kingdom was reunited

  6. The Middle Kingdom - Egypt • Cultural life and economics revived • Trading began with Kingdom of Kush • Central authority weakened and invaders (Hyksos) controlled for 100 years • In 1670, the Hyksos were driven out and the New Kingdom era began

  7. The New Kingdom • Religion was emphasized (worshipped animals) • Mummifying and tombs • Statues of ½ man ½ animals • Belief in afterlife • Used hieroglyphics (pictures used to express words) on tombs • Heaven had same earthly pleasures – happiness ensued

  8. ..Continued • Pharaoh had Divine Kingship – he owned all land • No written law codes • Collected rent and taxes • Improved science and developed a system of math • 365 day year based on sun • Studied anatomy, surgery • War of Liberation vsHyksos made Egypt more militarized • Grew an army and bureaucracy • Increased power of priests • Creation of empires ended isolation • Moved towards monotheism (one god)

  9. Monotheism • Pharaoh Akhenaton was a monotheist • Name meant “Son of Aton” who was a god • He built a new capital city and named it Akhenaton • People were killed if they didn’t worship just Aton • Didn’t work – priests rebelled

  10. Empires grow… • The Hittites seized Syria • Egypt began being attacked after Akhenaton died • Egypt abandoned the empire idea and it was never a dominate state again • Hittite Empire grew (made 1st Iron weapons) • Hurrian Empire in Northern Mesopotamia grew • Kassite Empire took over southern Mesopotamia • They would all collapse to invaders around 1200 B.C. (the power vacuum begins) and much smaller kingdoms would arise such as…

  11. The Phoenicians • Israel founded in 1000 B.C. • Also, the Phoenician Kingdom was founded who were ancestors of the Canaanites • Phoenicians built city-states (Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, and Beirut) • Used coastal states as sea farming expeditions • Had ships to trade with other civilizations never before reached • Set up trade bases (Carthage) • Set up a 29 symbol alphabet to help with record keeping • This language is the basis for many modern languages including English

  12. Assyrian Empire • By 900 B.C. the power vacuum ended and the Assyrian Empire took over • Militaristic; used terror to keep people in check • In 626 B.C. an alliance was formed between Medes from Iran and Chaldeans from Babylon and wiped out the Assyrians • A new empire grew…

  13. Babylon and Persian Empires • Babylon reached its peak under Nebuchadnezzar • Famous hanging gardens and large ziggurats covered with leaves and vines • Weakened by a Civil War • Taken over by the Persians • Cyrus the Great (a Persian) took over Babylon, Egypt, and all the way to India • Political Unity for 200 years • Divided into provinces and districts ruled by governors • Built a “Pony Express” – a system of roads all leading to the capital • Great communication; mild rulers; allowed self rule; tolerated all religions

  14. Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar

  15. Persian Religion • Believed they were controlled by 2 forces (one good – AhuraMazada = the symbol of fire) and (one bad – Ahrimar = darkness always in constant struggle) • Humans forced to choose; winner would always be Ahura • On the day of judgment, the followers of Ahura would go to heaven and Ahrimar followers were tortured • Insisted on good ethical behavior • Persia unified the world into a huge state

  16. Led by pharaohs and priests Worshipped animals Polytheistic; belief in afterlife Afterlife only for good people Monotheistic – called “Yahweh” Purpose of life is to obey God Monotheistic Obey the law, atone for sins Good versus Evil Rulers must please gods Gloomy Afterlife Polytheistic

  17. ENDOFCHAPTERTWO!

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