Egyptian Civilization

Unification
• Early Egypt was divided
into two kingdoms
– Upper Egypt
– Lower Egypt
• Egypt was united in
3100 BCE by Menes
– Made Memphis the
capital
– Established the first
dynasty
 Some Famous Egyptian
Pharaohs
Tutankhamon
1336-1327 B. C. E.

Thutmose III
1504-1450 B. C. E.

Ramses II
1279-1212 B. C. E.
Egyptian Social Classes
 Egyptian Social Classes
• Class system
was hierarchal
– People with
most power at
the top
– Least power on
the bottom

Flashback:
Was the social structure in
Mesopotamian civilizations such as Sumer
organized in a similar manner ?
Yes
Egyptian Gods & Goddesses:

Osiris Isis Horus

The Afterlife
• Egyptians view of
the afterlife was
positive
• Believed that when
someone died the Ka
(spirit) escaped and
journeyed to the
land of the dead
 The Afterlife
• Egyptian Book of the Dead
– Contained magic spells and rituals to assist
the dead enter the afterlife
 Mummification
• Designed to protect the dead body
from decay and keep the Ka alive
 Pyramids
• Tombs built for Egyptian rulers