Week 4: Egyptian Ancient History

Topic 3:

EGYPTIAN ANCIENT HISTORY

The wealth of the Nile

Egypt could never have become a prosperous and powerful country without the
River Nile. The Greek historian Herodotus called Egypt “the gift of the Nile.” He was
right because each year the Nile flooded the land around. This yearly flood brought water
to a land which has very little rainfall. The river also washed fertile mud onto the soil in
which the crops could grow. The Egyptians were able to grow corn for bread, and
lettuces, onions, peas, cucumbers, and other vegetables. Once the crops were growing,
the Egyptians were able to water the soil by digging irrigation channels from the Nile.
The Egyptians saw their River Nile as a god, called Happy, who was generous to them. It
was not always reliable though, and there were years of drought and sometimes floods.
The king and the government
The rulers of Egypt were called “pharaohs”. The pharaoh was a king but was also
thought to be a god after death. He was the High Priest of the Egyptians, the chief judge
and also the commander in chief of the army. The king usually married his own sister and
their son would become the next pharaoh. A large number of officials, appointed by the
king ran the government. Some would have been relatives of the king. These officials
looked after government departments such as the treasury, the civil service, the foreign
office, and the records.
Ordinary Egyptians
A lot of ordinary Egyptians worked on the land as farmers. The farmers not only
planted crops but kept cows, sheep, goats, and pigs. They also hunted animals such as
deer and trapped birds and fished, sometimes just for sport.
There were also a large number of special jobs to be done. Some Egyptians were
fishermen or boat – owners moving goods up and down the Nile. Builders were needed
for the town’s palaces and lie tombs. As many as 100,000 people might have been needed

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English for History 2021-2022
Week 4: Egyptian Ancient History

to build the largest pyramids Craftspeople were trained to be tomb painters or statue
sculptors or to make objects like jewelry.
Egyptians myths- Ra
The world began with a baby god, asleep in a lotus – flower. His name was Ra,
and he was the Sun. He woke up and opened his eyes, and at once light - rays streamed
out to lift the sky. In that instant, Ra sprang from being a baby to a full-grown god. He
soared across the sky and sent light glittering into every corner of the world. The seas and
rivers reflected light and dazzled him. His eyes watered, and the water - drops made
plants, people, and annuals.
Most of Ra's new creatures lived together in peace and happiness. Only human
beings were discontented. They argued and fought until Ra was so angry that he took out
one of his eyes and threw it at them. The eye flashed across the world like a fireball, and
human beings cowered. From that moment on, Ra ruled unchallenged. Every day he
sailed serenely in his Sun-ship, East to West across the sky. Every evening he plunged
below the horizon, and make a night long voyage through the caves and tunnels of the
underworld. At dawn each day he returned to the upper world, where his worshippers
were waiting with hymns of joy.

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English for History 2021-2022