Hatshepsut

Temple of Hatshepstut

Hatshepsut statue


Queen Hatshepstut was born to Pharaoh Thutmose I and queen Ahmose, both from a royal family in 1502 BC- 1458 BC. She was very unusual. She was a female pharaoh. Even if she was a female she refused to wear anything that a pharaoh wouldn't when she did her duties as pharaoh. She wore a fake beard and a skirt with lots of jewelry. She claimed that the sun god- Ra pointed directly at her being the pharaoh. She also put herself in many of the stories related to the egyptian gods so she would seem god -like. Her rise of power started when her husband, Thutmose II, died. She ruled for about 20-22 years and during that time she built many monuments. Trading with other countries during that time also expanded. 

After Queen Hatshepstut's mysterious death, her stepson destroyed her tomb and many of her monuments because she took his place in ruling egypt.

Nile River

The Nile River in Egypt

The Nile River in the ancient times was very important. It gave the people water, transportation, growing plants, washing etc... Because of the river, it was much easier to live in Egypt. It gave them water to drink and water to water the crops they grew. The animals also drank and survived by the Nile. This helped the Ancient Egyptians with food and drinks. 

Since the river went right through Egypt,  the inhabitants settles themselves near the river so they didn't have to walk too far to get water. But they didn't live too near because of the flooding that happened every year. Their houses would get soaked and very damaged of the over flowing river then. When the flooding was gone it left some rich mud that helped plants grow healthier. 

The Nile river also made a good transportation too. For instance, they delivered stuff on boats from one city to another. Papyrus, ancient egyptian plants, provided them with paper. They also made boats of the reeds. In the desert it almost never  rains, so the Nile river was the only water source they could have year round. They thought the river was like a god that saved them from starving and dying out. 

The Nile River god was Hapi, who they worshipped a lot. 

Facts about Pharaohs

Pharaoh: Amenhotep III (1377-1351 B.C)

Interesting facts

Amenhotep III mask

1. He ruled during a time of peace, called the Amarna period.

2. He had around 317 wives! It has been said that his most loved queen was Tiy. On their wedding he took her on a very fancy boat with many flowers and decorations, and he rode it with her on the NIle river so everyone could see her with them. This is known as the most romantic and fanciest wedding of all ancient Egypt. He married her at the age of 11 or 12. 

3. He became pharaoh at the age of 12 and ruled egypt for 39 years.

4. Known as the pharaoh who beautified ancient egypt because he made many monuments during his time. One of the most famous temples, The Temple of Luxor (also known as Temple of Amun during their time) was built by him.

5. His son, Akenhaten, became pharaoh after him and Akenhaten was never in family portraits. Akenhaten also tried to take away all egyptian beliefs.

6. Amenhotep III's name means 'Amun is pleased, Ruler of Thebes'.

7. He was the ninth ruler Egypt.

8. He was born to Pharaoh Thutmose and Queen Mutemwiya.

9. All his wives were taken care of very well, but it's said that Tiy was the most intelligent of them all.

10. He died of an unknown disease at the age of 50.

King Khufu

Pharaoh: Khufu (2551 - 2528 B.C)

Interesting facts

1. He was cruel and heartless.

2. Known as the pharaoh who put himself first of everyone else.

3.Killed many people and he was hated by all egyptians, when he died they burnt all his stuff.

4. He had 6 sons and 15 daughters. 

5. He built the pyramid Giza, it stayed the strongest all these years too.

6. His body was so well hidden no one has ever found it. 

7. He didn't believe in the Egyptian Gods, he only believed in one.

8. Egyptians thought he was crazy.Those who told him he was wrong or something he didn't want to hear, got killed, tortured or became a slave if lucky.

9. He sold his daughter so he would get money.

10. He ruled for 23 years. 

King Tutenkhamen

Pharaoh: Tutenkhamen (1360 - 1343 B.C) 

Interesting facts

1. 8-9 years old when he became a pharaoh.

2. Major accomplishment was hiding his tomb. No robber could find it. 

3. No one know how he died, Guesses are a sickness because there was lots of egyptian medicine in his tombs. It's also been said he had a curse, everyone who visited his tomb died. 

4. He was 180 cm tall

5. He died at the age of 18. 

That's all for today! 

Cartouche

This is an egyptian cartouche! Inside are the letters, going up and then down to read it, then inside the border to protect the name. Make your own at this website: http://www.virtual-egypt.com/newhtml/glyph/glyph.html

Pyramid Timeline

PYRAMID TIMELINE

Pyramids are great monuments from Ancient Egypt. Here is a timeline of what order the biggest ones came in and some interesting facts.

Djoser pyramid

 62 meter high Steppe pyramid of Djose, built by Pharaoh Djose in Saqqara 2630 BC began as a mastaba, but by the Pharaoh’s death it had rised to six stepped layers. It also had many hidden tunnels to discourage robbers, but unfortunately some robbers found al the pharaohs belongings in the pyramid and all stuff are now 

gone.

Maidum Pyramid

The second pyramid is the 92 meter high Maidum pyramid. Pharaoh Snefru made it in the city Maidum 2600 BC. It was the first pyramid with an aboveground burial chamber. The pyramid was temporarily left for 15 years, but later finished.

The Bent pyramid, 105 meter high in Dahshur was made by Snefru 2600 BC. The pyramid had two burial chambers and it was the first pyramid to try having smooth sides, but it didn’t work very good so Snefru made some other tries with other 

pyramids as well.

The Red Pyramid

The next pyramid is known as the Red Pyramid. It was also a pyramid made by Snefru, 2600 BC in the city Dahshur and 104 meters high. This pyramid was Snefru’s third try at making a smooth-sided pyramid. When Snefru later on died, his son Khufu hurriedly finished the pyramid.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

Pharaoh Khufu, son of Snefru, decided then to make a pyramid himself as well. This pyramid was the biggest of them all. The Giza pyramid. It was built in Giza around 2550 BC. It’s 147 meters tall. The Giza pyramid is made up of 2.3 million stone blocks, which weighs about 2.5 – 15 tons each.

The Pyramid of Khafre

Next in line is the pyramid of Khafre. The pharaoh Khafre made this pyramid which is 144 meters tall and was built 2520 BC in Giza. Khafre’s father’s pyramid was bigger so Khafre wanted to have it even, so he made a neater surrounding. Later on, explorers found a pit in the floor of the pyramid. It is guessed that it held the first canopic chest in a pyramid.

Pyramid of Menkaure

Last but not least, comes the Pyramid of Menkaure. It was made by Pharaoh Menkaure year 2490 BC in Giza. The pyramid is 65 meters tall. Menkaure died suddenly while the pyramid wasn’t finished and the work was left abandoned. But one of his hiers decided to complete the pyramid after a while. Unlike other 

pyramids, this one was sheathed with granite.

Hieroglyphics

HIEROGLYPHICS

In Ancient Egypt they used hieroglyphics to write down important events and happenings on walls in tombs. The word hieroglyphics means sacred writing and in Greek it means holy carvings, which fits very well because hieroglyphics are either written on papyrus or they carved it on stones. Hieroglyphics were very important then and now since they could write down all their important events and what happened to them. We can also learn a little how they lived and what happened. Hieroglyphics could be read up to down or left to right. 

Everyday lifes in ancient egypt

Ancient Egyptian soldier

EVERY DAY LIFE

An Egyptian soldier’s normal day

First thing in a new day a soldier would wake up early in the morning and dress a little linen and go guard the Pharaoh’s palace, spear in hand. Nothing much happens there at the palace for a guard so he just stands there mostly. After a few hours of guarding he goes to lunch for a meal of plain bread, and if he’s lucky the bread will be a little soft and not like a rock, a little garlic and lentils can also be included or Syrian bread. After that it’s time to work on a temple that need to be built along wit any other soldiers. This is sweaty work and they have almost no water or any free time to rest their hands or catch their breath. After a few 4-5 hours of that he goes to train how to fight with many other soldiers. If there’s any free time after that a soldiers sleeps every second of that time.

Nobleman and wife

A Nobleman’s day in ancient Egypt

In the morning a Nobleman wakes up in his big fancy house and has a big lovely breakfast in his long white linen morning robe. He eats tasty bread, fruit, pancakes and waffles. After a family breakfast is finished it’s time to get dressed for work. His many servants come and dress him in a fine linen quilt and leather sandals that are much fancier than a farmer’s sandals and kohl. He arrives at work – looking after the wine process.  He goes around and gives advice or checks that everything is going right. He eats lunch and after a day at work he comes home. He and his friends either go hunting and later his wife and him have a big party when the children are asleep. His wife is dressed in a fancy wig and dress with lots of make up  and jewellery. He also has lot’s of jewellery and make up on. The guests comes and they all eat roasted ox, goat, ducks, gazelle, bread, fruit and a lot more. After a long fun part full of dance and music and food he finally goes to bed and prepares for the next day.


Pharaohs, craftsmen and their wives lived a similar life as the Noblemen with lot's of food, clothes and servants in a big fancy house while  soldiers, farmers and servants had little food eating mostly bread and lentils with not much clothes but even the farmers always had enough money to have a servant.