The Nile's Influence on Ancient Egypt

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Recommended: The role of Nile in Egypt

Gianna Strazzulla October 11, 2017
Honors Western Civilization Period 1 Grade 9
Egypt DBQ- How did the Nile shape Ancient Egypt?

The annual flood and abundant natural resources made the Nile River a life sustaining force of nature that directly contributed to the creation and survival of the Ancient Egyptian civilization. The Nile River (the “Nile”) played an integral part in shaping the lives and communities of Ancient Egypt. It provided food, transportation, and building materials which contributed to the economy and most importantly the continuity of the Ancient Egyptians.
Two lakes feed the Nile, Lake Tana located in the highlands of Ethiopia and Lake Victoria located in Kenya. The Nile flows north …show more content…

Ancient artists wrote hymns, songs and poems about the Nile, such as Hymn to the Nile. These writings were an expression of their gratitude for the Nile and praised it for what it provided. Artists often decorated tombs with images of the afterlife. These images either depicted their gods sailing on the Nile or the Nile as a passageway to the afterlife. The Nile was also used in many hieroglyphics and spoken about in many writings. The Ancient Egyptians believed there was a direct correlation between the Nile and their gods. If the gods were pleased, the Nile would have a great flooding season providing a bountiful harvest and successful trade. If the gods were upset, the Nile would flood too much or not enough causing less food and effecting trading. The Nile was also a symbol to the Ancient Egyptians. The “Black Land” that hugged the Nile represented life. While the “Red Land” just beyond the deserts represented death. “For Egyptians, the Nile literally meant the difference between life and death” (“Background

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