EGYPT * The Gift of Nile * Nile * world’s largest river; flows more than 4000 miles * Because the river flows from south to north, the Egyptians called the southern part of the country “Upper Egypt” and the northern part the “Lower Egypt” * Each year, the river will overflow, spreading water into the bordering basins and irrigation channels carried water farther out into the valley to increase the area suitable for planting – brought moisture to the dry land and left behind a layer of rich black soil that was excellent for crop. * Farmers planted their crops as soon as the floodwaters receded * 4000 B.C.E. * Egypt consisted of valley of farmers living along the Nile * 3300 B.C.E. * first walled towns were erected at Naqada and Hierakonpolis * 3100 B.C.E. * ruler of Upper Egypt unified the country * Menes, first ruler, conquered Lower Egypt and brought all of Egypt under his rule. He built the city of Memphis as his capital. * Kings of Egypt * “Ruler of the Two Lands” * wore two crowns – symbolizing the unification of the country * There were at least 30 dynasties in Egypt’s history * Scholars divided the early history of Egypt according to the three periods when strong dynasties united the country * Old Kingdom (2686 – 2150 B.C.E.) * Middle Kingdom (2040 – 1786 B.C.E.) * New Kingdom (1570 – 1090 B.C.E.)

Old Kingdom * 2649 B.C.E. * Old Kingdom was inaugurated under the rulers of the third dynasty * Egypt first began to project its power abroad, with expeditions during the reign of Shefru (2575 – 2551 B.C.E.) to Nubia to collect raw materials and campaigns into Libya by the sixth dynasty pharaohs (2323 – 2150 B.C.E.) * 2246 – 2152 B.C.E. * During the long reign of Pepi II, central authority began to dissolve