The River Nile  

The Ancient Egyptians depended on the Nile itself. If there was much rain they were saved almost by a miracle. they would depend on the flooding of the Nile to cover and enrich their crops; once the water went back to its normal size it would leave a layer of fertile black mud. It would usually flood in August. The Ancient Egptians thought the flood was given by their gods.

Honoring a god was very important, so when a flood came they would thank Hapi, the Nile god. They thought that if they did not express their gratitude the gods might not send the flood again. Most peasants built their houses on mounds above the flood level and moved their animals to higher ground as the Nile rose.

The Nile brought many gifts such as papyrus which they needed to make paper. It is a green pland that is cut with fine knives to make the strips. Then the strips are laid out in two layers and a cover is put over it. Then a rock is used to beat the papyrus plant. Finally the cover is taken off and the papyrus is left to dry. The Nile brought many gifts and so the flooding was called "Gift of the Nile".

The People

Pharaohs often had several wives but only one was queen. If he died when his children were very young the queen would become the ruler. Every province had a governor who lived there with his family. The heads of large ministries took care of the central government, the army, the treasury and irrigation. The head of building works saved a sight for a new temple. The chief scribe and his department stored the royal correspondents. The overseer took care of granaries and the control of the household. The vaser the Pharaohs and the chief minister were the most important officers. He checked the work for the Pharaoh and then gave the daily update. In the triangle the Pharaoh was to be at the top, the high priests and priestesses nobles and chiefs, government officials. Then minor priests and scribes. Then stonemasons, potters, carpenters, smiths and jewelers. Finally there were the peasants, servants and labourers.