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The Nile River Valley Civilization started at the northern most peak of the Nile River at the time of the
Neolithic Revolution. This early civilization formed down the lush fields of the Nile River. Protected by
the water and desert, the civilization was able to grow into Egypt and surrounding colonies.
CATEGORY
1. POLITICAL SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
Organization:
3000 years.
Southern wind patterns and northern currents
made sailing along Nile very easy.
- Facilitated communication, exchange, unity. And
stability in the Nile Valley.
Cities not as important as in Mesopotamia.
- Cities included:
a. Political Capitals.
b. Market Centers.
c. Major burial sites.
- All of which gave Egypt an urban presence as well.
Centralized government:
- Pharaoh, a god in human form, was the focus of the
Egyptian State.
a. Ensured Niles annual flooding.
b. Defined Law.
c. Was the peoples link to the afterlife.
d. Most powerful in 2200 B.C.E.
Political leader:
Menes
First Dynasty Egyption King
Possibly found Ancient Rome
Accredited for combining upper and lower Egypt
Military:
- In the early times of the empire the weapons were
small compared to later times.
- Clubs and stone- headed maces, daggers, and
spear heads of copper were used.
- After Egypt was attacked by the Hyksos, they
started using the composite bow, horses and
chariots.
- Their use of chariots gave them advantages over
their enemies.
- The Egyptian military were not innovative in itself
but adapted enemy weapons which made them a
powerhouse.
2. SOCIAL STRUCTURE
How it is developed?
Social Structure/Job Specification:
King
Had a special status
Female companion also had a special status
Ruler of the land
Ruling Class
Related or of high importance of the King
Craftsman
Craftsman make weapons and tools for the people
Work on the decorations for tombs
Farmers
Most people of the Nile tribes were farmers that can only be
3. SOCIAL CLASS
4. ECONOMY/TRADE
SYSTEM
Very wealthy:
- Artwork involved gold and precious stones.
- Funding for Great Pyramids and other engineering
marvels.
- Economy strongly fueled by agriculture.
Interaction and Exchange:
- Frequently interacted with Mesopotamia
Egypts strong agriculture benefitted from
interaction:
- Wheat and barley, Egypts primary crops, came
from Mesopotamia
- Received gourds, watermelon, and domesticated
donkeys and cattle from Sudan.
- Scholars believe Egyptian step pyramid and writing
derived from Mesopotamian models.
Established long-distance trade routes.
Egyptian influence can be seen in Mediterranean
basin.
- Minoan art influenced by Egypts.
- Greeks drew heavily on Egyptian art, religion,
philosophy, and language.
The inhabitants of the Nile River Valley Civilization depended
heavily on farming. Close proximity to the Nile allowed easy
access to water needed for crops. Seasonal flooding fertilized the
land for the next year's crops. Agriculture was essential for
survival, growth, and economic success.
5. TECHNOLOGIES
communication
- Polytheistic
- Some gods include Re, Anubis, Seth, Osiris, Isis and
Horus.
- They had a main focus on the afterlife.
-They believed they could take belongings with
them.
- Believed the body was useful in the afterlife
therefore mummification was created.
- Once dead it was said that your soul would be
weighed against Anubis Father.
- If your soul was heavy with bad deeds then you
were punished.
- If lighter then Anubis, you would move on.
- Egyptians sacrificed animals in religious rituals.
- Cats were important.
Polytheistic religion - Multiple gods
What they believed?
Religious practices:
8. ART AND
ARCHITECTURE
Gods:
Art
Involved precious metals and stones:
- Showed extreme wealth.
- Many Pharaohs sarcophagus made out of gold.
- Pyramids originally capped in gold and outlined in
polished white limestone.
Egyptian sculptures and pyramids:
- Showed job specialization: had to mine stone,
develop tools which would cut stone.
- Showed use of technology: lever and ramp
introduced to help carry heavy stone slabs for
pyramids.
Artwork was very colorful:
10. CITY-STATE
References:
https://apworldhistory-rochester-k12-mi-us.wikispaces.com/1C.+Basic+features+of+early+civilizations+Mesopotamia,+Indus+Valley,+%26+Egypt
http://www.rivervalleycivilizations.com/nile.html