the ancient western civilization.ppt

The ancient western civilization —— Ancient Egyptian civilization Hellenic civilization Ancient Roman civilization Ancient Egyptian civilization introduction First described Egypt as the gift of the Nile, she has been capturing the imagination of all who visit her. The awe-inspiring monuments, left by all the Pharaohs, Greeks and Roman as well as by the early Christians and Muslims, attract thousands of visitors every year – but the pyramids, temples, tombs, monasteries and mosques are just part of this countrys fascination Main Events The course of the ancient Egyptian civilization, starting with the pre-dynastic period till the Ptolemaic period, has a series of events that highlight it. The dynastic period, being the main chunk of ancient Egyptian history, provides some of the most interesting insights into the ancient Egyptian civilization. Ancient Egyptian history is divided into 31 dynasties, which are then further subdivided into three main kingdoms with intermediate periods in between. Ancient Egyptian monuments Geography The NILE RIVER , the longest river in the world (6,650 kilometers), flows north from the heart of Africa to the Mediterranean Sea. Its flood plain was a magnet for life -- human, plant and animal. Humans were drawn there because they could grow crops and settle into permanent villages For centuries, THE NILE RIVER FLOODED THE VALLEY, enriching the land with a thick layer of alluvial soil. Flooding occurred from July to September as the result of the tropical rains in the Ethiopian tableland. The river attained its highest level in October, then began to recede to its lowest point sometime between April and June. Architecture The ancient Egyptians built their pyramids, tombs, temples and palaces out of STONE, the most durable of all building materials. These building projects took a high degree of architectural and engineering SKILL, and the organization of a LARGE WORKFORCE consisting of highly trained craftsmen and labore