Ancient AfricaAncient Africa

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Axum

Ancient Kush

The Nile River:The Nile River:

The Nile The Nile river, which river, which flows from flows from the southern the southern highlands highlands and empties and empties into the into the northern northern MediterraneaMediterranean Sea.n Sea.

The Nile River:The Nile River:

The Kingdoms The Kingdoms of North of North

Eastern Africa Eastern Africa developed developed

around the Nile around the Nile River.River.

The Gifts of the Nile…The Gifts of the Nile…

The river served as a The river served as a highway which:highway which:

– United villages and United villages and provided easy travel provided easy travel

– Currents carried barges Currents carried barges downstream to the deltadownstream to the delta

– Sails were used to catch Sails were used to catch winds to return winds to return upstream upstream

Additional benefitsAdditional benefits

– River attracted wildlife River attracted wildlife and provided fish for and provided fish for hunting & sporthunting & sport

– Papyrus grew along riverPapyrus grew along river Used to make paperUsed to make paper

Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt

The Ancient Egyptians thought The Ancient Egyptians thought of Egypt as being divided into of Egypt as being divided into two types of land:two types of land:

The 'black land' was The 'black land' was the fertile land on the the fertile land on the banks of the Nile. banks of the Nile. The ancient The ancient Egyptians used this Egyptians used this land for growing their land for growing their crops. This was the crops. This was the only land in ancient only land in ancient Egypt that could be Egypt that could be farmed. farmed.

The Nile River and The Nile River and Ancient Egypt:Ancient Egypt:

Each year the Nile’s water level would rise and water Each year the Nile’s water level would rise and water would then fill canals made by Egyptian labourers. would then fill canals made by Egyptian labourers. After the water receded, a rich layer of silt would After the water receded, a rich layer of silt would remain to nourish the crops for the following year. remain to nourish the crops for the following year.

***Notice the green banks next to the sandy

background.

The Ancient Egyptians thought The Ancient Egyptians thought of Egypt as being divided into of Egypt as being divided into two types of land:two types of land:

The 'red land' was the The 'red land' was the barren desert that barren desert that protected Egypt on protected Egypt on two sides. two sides.

These deserts These deserts separated ancient separated ancient Egypt from Egypt from neighbouring neighbouring countries and countries and protected themprotected them from from invading armies. invading armies. This also provided the Ancient Egyptians with a This also provided the Ancient Egyptians with a

source for source for precious metals and semi-precious stones. precious metals and semi-precious stones.

Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt

In the Nile River Valley, kingdoms In the Nile River Valley, kingdoms arose due to this agricultural arose due to this agricultural growth and urbanization. This growth and urbanization. This led to the creation of large-scale led to the creation of large-scale political units. (5000-4000 B.C.E.) political units. (5000-4000 B.C.E.)

Permanent settlements grew into Permanent settlements grew into regional states. regional states.

Some of these states united into Some of these states united into two states and became known as two states and became known as Upper and Lower Egypt . (3500 Upper and Lower Egypt . (3500 B.C.E.)B.C.E.)

Early Life of Egyptians Early Life of Egyptians

Early Life of EgyptiansEarly Life of Egyptians

Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt

The people of Ancient The people of Ancient Egypt called their land Egypt called their land Kemet and themselves Kemet and themselves KennuiKennui, which means , which means “Black” in their ancient “Black” in their ancient languagelanguage

The people of Ancient The people of Ancient Egypt called their land Egypt called their land Kemet and themselves Kemet and themselves KennuiKennui, which means , which means “Black” in their ancient “Black” in their ancient languagelanguage

Early LifeEarly Life

Most ancient Most ancient Egyptians worked as Egyptians worked as field hands, farmers, field hands, farmers, craftsmen and craftsmen and scribes. A small group scribes. A small group of people were of people were nobles. Together, nobles. Together, these different these different groups of people groups of people made up the made up the population of ancient population of ancient Egypt. Egypt.

The people of ancient The people of ancient Egypt built mudbrick Egypt built mudbrick homes in villages and homes in villages and in the country. They in the country. They grew some of their grew some of their own food and traded own food and traded in the villages for the in the villages for the food and goods they food and goods they could not produce. could not produce.

Pharaohs

Pharaoh: Lord of the Pharaoh: Lord of the Two LandsTwo Lands

The most powerful person in The most powerful person in ancient Egypt was the ancient Egypt was the pharaoh (The Great House). pharaoh (The Great House). The pharaoh was the The pharaoh was the political and religious leader political and religious leader of the Egyptian people, of the Egyptian people, holding the titles: 'Lord of holding the titles: 'Lord of the Two Lands' and 'High the Two Lands' and 'High Priest of Every Temple'.Priest of Every Temple'.

The PharaohThe Pharaoh

As 'Lord of the Two Lands' the As 'Lord of the Two Lands' the pharaoh was the ruler of pharaoh was the ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt. He Upper and Lower Egypt. He owned all of the land, made owned all of the land, made laws, collected taxes, and laws, collected taxes, and defended Egypt against defended Egypt against foreigners. foreigners.

As 'High Priest of Every As 'High Priest of Every Temple', the pharaoh Temple', the pharaoh represented the gods on represented the gods on Earth. He performed rituals Earth. He performed rituals and built temples to honour and built temples to honour the gods.the gods.

HieroglyphsHieroglyphs

HieroglyphsHieroglyphs

HieroglyphsHieroglyphs

The most famous of all The most famous of all ancient Egyptian scripts is ancient Egyptian scripts is hieroglyphic. hieroglyphic.

PictogramsPictograms were pictures were pictures or objects, such as or objects, such as animals or toolsanimals or tools

IdeogramsIdeograms were pictures were pictures that symbolized ideas and that symbolized ideas and actions.actions.

Using these scripts, Using these scripts, scribes were able to scribes were able to preserve the beliefs, preserve the beliefs, history and ideas of history and ideas of ancient Egypt in temple ancient Egypt in temple and tomb walls and on and tomb walls and on papyrus scrolls papyrus scrolls

The Rosetta StoneThe Rosetta Stone

The The Rosetta StoneRosetta Stone is a stone with is a stone with writing on it in two writing on it in two languages (Egyptian languages (Egyptian and Greek), using and Greek), using three scripts three scripts (hieroglyphic, (hieroglyphic, demotic and Greek).demotic and Greek).

The Rosetta StoneThe Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone is written in three scripts The Rosetta Stone is written in three scripts because when it was written, there were because when it was written, there were three scripts being used in Egypt.three scripts being used in Egypt.

The first language was hieroglyphic which was the The first language was hieroglyphic which was the script used for important or religious documents.script used for important or religious documents.

The second was demotic which was the common The second was demotic which was the common script of Egypt.script of Egypt.

The third was Greek which was the language of The third was Greek which was the language of

the rulers of Egypt at that time.the rulers of Egypt at that time. The Rosetta Stone was written in all three scripts The Rosetta Stone was written in all three scripts

so that the priests, government officials and rulers so that the priests, government officials and rulers of Egypt could read what it saidof Egypt could read what it said

Egyptian hieroglyphs and the Egyptian hieroglyphs and the alphabet:alphabet:

Spell your name in Egyptian hieroglyphics.Spell your name in Egyptian hieroglyphics.

PyramidsPyramids

The Great Pyramids

The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens. The pharaohs were buried in pyramids of and their queens. The pharaohs were buried in pyramids of many different shapes and sizes from before the beginning of many different shapes and sizes from before the beginning of the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom. the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom.

There are about eighty pyramids known today from ancient There are about eighty pyramids known today from ancient

Egypt. The three largest and best-preserved of these were built Egypt. The three largest and best-preserved of these were built at Giza at the beginning of the Old Kingdom. The most well-at Giza at the beginning of the Old Kingdom. The most well-known of these pyramids was built for the pharaoh Khufu. It is known of these pyramids was built for the pharaoh Khufu. It is known as the 'Great Pyramid‘known as the 'Great Pyramid‘

The Great Sphinx is a portrait of the The Great Sphinx is a portrait of the pharaoh Khafre, which stands in front pharaoh Khafre, which stands in front of his funeral pyramid at Giza.of his funeral pyramid at Giza.

Wealthy Egyptians built elaborate tombs Wealthy Egyptians built elaborate tombs called “Houses of Eternity” called “Houses of Eternity”

TemplesTemples

TemplesTemples

TemplesTemples

The ancient Egyptians The ancient Egyptians believed that temples were believed that temples were the homes of the gods and the homes of the gods and goddesses. Every temple goddesses. Every temple was dedicated to a god or was dedicated to a god or goddess and he or she was goddess and he or she was worshipped there by the worshipped there by the temple priests and the temple priests and the pharaoh. pharaoh.

Their religion was complex Their religion was complex and was based on many and was based on many gods and mythologies.gods and mythologies.

Mythology = A collection Mythology = A collection of stories and traditions of stories and traditions about people and about people and institutions.institutions.

Mummification

Mummification:Mummification:

The earliest ancient Egyptians buried their dead The earliest ancient Egyptians buried their dead in small pits in the desert. The heat and dryness in small pits in the desert. The heat and dryness of the sand dehydrated the bodies quickly, of the sand dehydrated the bodies quickly, creating lifelike and natural 'mummies'.creating lifelike and natural 'mummies'.

Mummification

Over many centuries, Over many centuries, the ancient Egyptians the ancient Egyptians developed a method of developed a method of preserving bodies so preserving bodies so they would remain they would remain lifelike. The process lifelike. The process included embalming the included embalming the bodies and wrapping bodies and wrapping them in strips of linen. them in strips of linen.

Gods and Goddesses

The ancient Egyptians believed in many The ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods and goddesses. Each one with different gods and goddesses. Each one with their own role to play in maintaining peace their own role to play in maintaining peace and harmony across the land and harmony across the land

Some gods and goddesses took part in Some gods and goddesses took part in creation, some brought the flood every year, creation, some brought the flood every year, some offered protection, and some took care some offered protection, and some took care of people after they died. Others were either of people after they died. Others were either local gods who represented towns, or minor local gods who represented towns, or minor gods who represented plants or animals. gods who represented plants or animals.

Old Kingdom (Age of the Pyramids)Old Kingdom (Age of the Pyramids)

- 2780-2108 B.C.2780-2108 B.C.- Pharaohs had all political & religious powerPharaohs had all political & religious power- The Pharaoh was a landlord and rented out land to the The Pharaoh was a landlord and rented out land to the

nobles.nobles.- Pyramids were built to protect the dead.Pyramids were built to protect the dead.- Hieroglyphics told the Pharaoh’s storyHieroglyphics told the Pharaoh’s story- Sphinx: Monument that has a body of a lion and head of a Sphinx: Monument that has a body of a lion and head of a

man (pharaoh). It represents the pharaoh as Ra, the sun man (pharaoh). It represents the pharaoh as Ra, the sun god.god.

DeclinedDeclined::

- Collected taxes, but pyramids were still too costlyCollected taxes, but pyramids were still too costly- Pharaoh began to lose authority to nobles, who gained Pharaoh began to lose authority to nobles, who gained

more authority over nomes (provinces)more authority over nomes (provinces)- Crops failed and people suffered.Crops failed and people suffered.

Middle Kingdom (Age of the Middle Kingdom (Age of the Nobles)Nobles)

2100-1788 B.C.2100-1788 B.C. A noble named Amenemhet I became pharaohA noble named Amenemhet I became pharaoh He gave power back to the pharaohHe gave power back to the pharaoh Moved capital to ThebesMoved capital to Thebes Arts and literature flourishedArts and literature flourished Successful war against NubiaSuccessful war against Nubia Trade was successfulTrade was successful

Declined:Declined: Weak dynasties (dynasty = a line of hereditary Weak dynasties (dynasty = a line of hereditary

rulers)rulers) Hyksos warriors destroyed temples, and burned Hyksos warriors destroyed temples, and burned

cities.cities.

New Kingdom (Age of the New Kingdom (Age of the Empire)Empire)

1580-1090 B.C.1580-1090 B.C. Egyptian pharaohs drove out Hyksos Egyptian pharaohs drove out Hyksos

warriorswarriors The Egyptians created a standing army of The Egyptians created a standing army of

charioteers, bowman and foot soldierscharioteers, bowman and foot soldiers HatshepsutHatshepsut: : Was a powerful female Was a powerful female

pharaoh, who expanded trade; time of pharaoh, who expanded trade; time of peace; built a pyramid in Valley of the peace; built a pyramid in Valley of the Kings. She is known as the world’s first Kings. She is known as the world’s first known female ruler. It is believed that her known female ruler. It is believed that her step-son (Thutmose III) murdered her, and step-son (Thutmose III) murdered her, and he led military campaigns that ended the he led military campaigns that ended the peace.peace.

Hatshepsut:Hatshepsut:

DeclineDecline

Small invasionsSmall invasions A peace treaty between the Hittites and A peace treaty between the Hittites and

Ramses II caused Egypt to lose some Ramses II caused Egypt to lose some dominancedominance

Fell under PersiaFell under Persia Alexander the Great occupied Egypt and Alexander the Great occupied Egypt and

Cleopatra became the last pharaohCleopatra became the last pharaoh Defeated in a naval battle against Rome Defeated in a naval battle against Rome

and became part of the Roman Empireand became part of the Roman Empire

Axum (Askum)

Axum (Aksum)Axum (Aksum)

Axum (Aksum)Axum (Aksum)

AxumAxum

The Aksumites were a people formed The Aksumites were a people formed from the mix of Kushitic speaking from the mix of Kushitic speaking people in Ethiopia and Semitic people in Ethiopia and Semitic speaking people in southern Arabia speaking people in southern Arabia who settled the territory across the who settled the territory across the Red Sea around 500 BC. Red Sea around 500 BC.

They lived in the Ethiopian highlands They lived in the Ethiopian highlands near the Red Sea.near the Red Sea.

Akum was wealthy and Akum was wealthy and powerful.powerful.

It was one of the first It was one of the first states in the region to states in the region to establish its own establish its own currency.currency.

Axum: TradeAxum: Trade

The Aksumites controlled one of the most The Aksumites controlled one of the most important trade routes in the world and important trade routes in the world and occupied one of the most fertile regions in occupied one of the most fertile regions in the world.the world.

Aksum benefitted Aksum benefitted from its trade with from its trade with not only Nubia and not only Nubia and Roman Egypt, but Roman Egypt, but also with the Middle also with the Middle East, Arabia, East East, Arabia, East Africa and the Africa and the subcontinent via subcontinent via the Indian Ocean.the Indian Ocean.

Axum: TradeAxum: Trade

Adulis was a trade centerAdulis was a trade center Axum exported ivory, tortoise shells, Axum exported ivory, tortoise shells,

gold and emeralds, and imported silk gold and emeralds, and imported silk and spices. and spices.

They might have exported slaves as They might have exported slaves as well.well.

AxumAxum

Ezana, a ruler of Axum, Ezana, a ruler of Axum, declared Axum to be a Christian declared Axum to be a Christian state , thus making it the first state , thus making it the first Christian state in the history of Christian state in the history of the world, and began actively the world, and began actively converting the population to converting the population to Christianity Christianity

When people converted it When people converted it became a unique form of became a unique form of Christianity that blended their Christianity that blended their traditional beliefs with Christian traditional beliefs with Christian beliefs. beliefs.

Syncretism:Syncretism: A process in which A process in which 2 religions or belief systems are 2 religions or belief systems are mixed to create a new blend of mixed to create a new blend of ideas.ideas.

AxumAxum

Axum declined Axum declined due to the rise of due to the rise of the new and the new and expanding expanding religion Islam.religion Islam.

It also declined It also declined as the as the environment was environment was over exploited.over exploited.

Kush (Nubia)

Kush (Nubia)

Kush (Nubia)Kush (Nubia)

KushKush

2000 B.C. to 350 A.D.2000 B.C. to 350 A.D. Centered in the region NubiaCentered in the region Nubia In the Northern Sudan RegionIn the Northern Sudan Region The people are called KushitesThe people are called Kushites Alara is said to be the founder. He unified the Alara is said to be the founder. He unified the

Napta based kingdom.Napta based kingdom. Iron was the most important resource.Iron was the most important resource. The Egyptians enslaved some of them and took The Egyptians enslaved some of them and took

them back to Egypt and stole their metals, cattle them back to Egypt and stole their metals, cattle and ivory.and ivory.

They were fishermen and farmersThey were fishermen and farmers

KushKush

Kush power reached a climaxKush power reached a climaxwhen King Piye conquered all when King Piye conquered all of Egypt. They lost their power of Egypt. They lost their power in Egypt to the Assyrians, who in Egypt to the Assyrians, who had iron weapons.had iron weapons.

Their culture was similar Their culture was similar to that of Egypt. Same to that of Egypt. Same beliefs and gods.beliefs and gods.

KushKush

Pyramid tombs in Mereö house the rulers and Pyramid tombs in Mereö house the rulers and royals of the ancient kingdom of Kush royals of the ancient kingdom of Kush

Nubia had more pyramids than EgyptNubia had more pyramids than Egypt

Meroe Meroe

KushKush

Alphabet Script = Merotic LanguageAlphabet Script = Merotic Language

Men and women held power jointly. A lot ofMen and women held power jointly. A lot ofart work depicts women giving birth to gods.art work depicts women giving birth to gods.

They traded along the Nile River and eventually with the Greeks.They traded along the Nile River and eventually with the Greeks.

Resources: Gold, ivory, copper, ebony and also traded potteryResources: Gold, ivory, copper, ebony and also traded pottery

In 2003, Charles Bonnet discovered 7 large stone In 2003, Charles Bonnet discovered 7 large stone statues of Nubian Kings along the 3 rd cataract of the statues of Nubian Kings along the 3 rd cataract of the Nile River.Nile River.

The Sudanese government are building the Merowe The Sudanese government are building the Merowe Dam, which will flood the terrain where the Nubian Dam, which will flood the terrain where the Nubian Civilization flourished, which will make it impossible Civilization flourished, which will make it impossible to find any new information on this kingdom. to find any new information on this kingdom.

The Black PharaohsThe Black Pharaohs

Conquerors of Ancient EgyptConquerors of Ancient Egypt

1. Piye1. Piye– Kush’s power reached its climax when King Piye Kush’s power reached its climax when King Piye

conquered all of Egypt in 730BCconquered all of Egypt in 730BC– It was a year long battle and when he won, he It was a year long battle and when he won, he

returned to Nubia with his treasurersreturned to Nubia with his treasurers..

The Black Pharaohs The Black Pharaohs

2. Shabaka2. Shabaka

● ● He came into power when his brother Piye died He came into power when his brother Piye died in 715 B.C.in 715 B.C.

●● He took up residence in Memphis, the capital of He took up residence in Memphis, the capital of Egypt at the timeEgypt at the time

●● Built dykes to seal off Egyptian villages from Built dykes to seal off Egyptian villages from Nile floods.Nile floods.

● ● Added buildings and statues in Thebes and the Added buildings and statues in Thebes and the Temple of LuxorTemple of Luxor

● ● There is a statue of him wearing the Kushite There is a statue of him wearing the Kushite crown, the double uraeus, that has 2 cobras crown, the double uraeus, that has 2 cobras signifying the legitimacy as the Lord of the 2 signifying the legitimacy as the Lord of the 2 lands.lands.

The Black PharaohsThe Black Pharaohs

3. Taharqa3. Taharqa

● ● Ruled in 690 B.C. and was the son of Piye.Ruled in 690 B.C. and was the son of Piye.● ● When he was a prince, he survived an Assyrian attackWhen he was a prince, he survived an Assyrian attack● ● Built monuments, statues and cartouches bearing Built monuments, statues and cartouches bearing his image and name throughout Egypt.his image and name throughout Egypt.● ● During his reign, there were great harvestsDuring his reign, there were great harvests● ● He launched a massive building campaign in He launched a massive building campaign in Thebes and in NapataThebes and in Napata

● ● He battled with the Assyrian king EsarhaddonHe battled with the Assyrian king Esarhaddon● ● After a 15 day-long battle with the Assyrains, the Nubians were pushed After a 15 day-long battle with the Assyrains, the Nubians were pushed

back to Memphis and eventually, Taharqa (after being wounded 5 back to Memphis and eventually, Taharqa (after being wounded 5 times) times) escaped and left escaped and left ● ● The Assyrians slaughtered the villagers and made piles of their heads!The Assyrians slaughtered the villagers and made piles of their heads!● ● In 669 B.C., he recaptured Memphis, but a new Assyrian king attacked In 669 B.C., he recaptured Memphis, but a new Assyrian king attacked

and Taharqa fled and never saw Egypt again and Taharqa fled and never saw Egypt again

The Black PharaohsThe Black Pharaohs

Meroe became a powerful trade Meroe became a powerful trade & military center.& military center.

They trained elephants in They trained elephants in warfare and used them warfare and used them for transportation & for transportation & Trade.Trade.

Wrestling was a very Wrestling was a very popular sport.popular sport.

DeclineDecline

Kush declined in 300 CE due to the Kush declined in 300 CE due to the growth of the population and industry, growth of the population and industry, which had a devastating impact on the which had a devastating impact on the environment. They were defeated by environment. They were defeated by an Axum army.an Axum army.