March 2 and 3, 2011

Geography

1. Egyptian life is centered around the Nile River
2. Water for drinking, irrigating, and bathing comes from the Nile
3. Every July it floods
4. Every October it leaves behind a rich soil
5. The delta is a broad, marshy triangular area of fertile silt
6. Managing the river required technological breakthroughs in irrigation 

Pyramids

1. The Great Sphinx of Giza was built in 2555-2532 BC, it is a recumbent lion with with a human's head. It is also the oldest monumental statue in the world

Daily Life

1. Pharaoh, Government officials, Soldiers, Scribes, Merchants, Artisian, Farmers, Slaves and servants
2. Raised wheat, barley, lentils, onions- benefited from irrigation of the Nile
3. Artisans carved statues and reliefs showing military battles and scenes in the after life
4. Money/barter system was used- merchants might accept bags of grain for payment- late, no coinage came about
5. Scribes kept records, told stories, wrote poetry described anatomy and medical treatments
6. Scribes wrote hieroglyphs and in hieratic
7. Soldiers used wooden weapons (bow and arrows, spears) with bronze tips and might ride chariots
8. Upper class, known as the white kilt class, consist of priests, physicians, and engineers
9. Religious and political leaders were the highest in the hierarchy

Pharaohs

1. The political and religious leader of the Egyptian people, holding the titles: "Lord of the Two Lands'
2. He owned all land, made all laws, collected taxes, and defended Egypt against foreigners
3. Hatshepsut was a woman who served as a pharaoh
4. Cleopatra VII also served as a pharaoh, but much later (51-30 BC)