EGYPT

Cole Bauer

March 2, 2011

Human Geography

I.                   Egypt

a.     Geography

                                                              i.      Egyptian life is centered around the Nile river

1.     The Egyptians thought and realized that the Nile river was their life

2.     Provided: water for drinking, for irrigating, and bathing

3.     Every July the Nile floods

a.     Every October the Nile left behind rich soil

                                                                                                                                      i.      DELTA- a broad, marshy triangular area of fertile soil

b.     The Egyptians were among the first people to create a calendar

                                                                                                                                      i.      They planned their year by: a solar day, a lunar month, and a solar year

b.     Pyramids

                                                              i.      The great sphinx of Giza – a recumbent lion with a human’s head

1.     It is the oldest monumental statue in the world

c.      Daily Life

                                                              i.      Level of Authority

1.     Pharaoh – Religious and Political Leader – he owned all the land, made laws, collected taxes, and defended Egypt against foreigners

2.     Government Officials – Nobles, Priests- upper class known as the white kilt class (priests, physicians, engineers

3.     Soldiers – used wooden weapons (bows and arrows, spears) with bronze tips and might ride chariots

4.     Scribes – kept records, told stories, wrote poetry, described anatomy and medical treatments. They wrote in hieroglyphics and in hieratic

5.     Merchants – money/barter system was used (coinage came about later)

6.     Artisans – carved statues and reliefs showing military battles and scenes in the afterlife

7.     Farmers – raised wheat, barley, lentils, onions – benefitted from irrigation of the Nile

8.     Slaves and Servants – helped the wealthy with household activities

d.     Pharaohs

                                                              i.      In some cases women served as Pharaoh

1.     Cleopatra served as a Pharaoh form 50-30 B.C.