Ancient Egypt Geography and Religion

Ancient Egypt

Geography

Rivers were very important to Egypt, especially for AGRICULTURE (farming)

Geography

• Egypt is located near the Nile so the climate was sunny and warm- this makes it a perfect place for FARMING!

• Egypt was an AGRICULTURAL society which can have problems with spread of diseases from animals to people

Religion

Egyptians were POLYTHEISTIC (many gods)

They also believed their Pharaoh was a GOD.

Mesopotamians were also polytheistic

Achievements

• Calendar

• Pyramids

• Papyrus

• Shipbuilding

• Hieroglyphics

• Mummification

Politics

Egyptian government is a THEOCRACY- Pharaoh was head of religion and considered a god

Politics

Pharaoh made ALL of the decisions, but sometimes had help from his advisors

Economics

• AGRICULTURAL and TRADE

• There was specialized labor and trade caused by a surplus (extra) while farming (Mesopotamia also had this)

Social Structure

• Egypt had a ruling Upper Class made up of PHARAOH and RELIGIOUS LEADERS (priests)

• Middle Class includes small business owners and artisans (people who make things)

• Lowest Class included farmers. MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN EGYPT WERE FARMERS

Social Structure

Egypt had a written language (hieroglyphics), so people who could read and write (literate) were a part of the UPPER CLASS.