Egyptian History 101

Egyptian History 101

Egyptian History 101
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 5 to 7
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	7.3

Vocabulary

	challenging words:		Ahmose, conqueror, degenerate, incorporate, nominal, regent, sovereignty, stability, pharaohs, survival, dynasty, lotus, prosperity, military, society, loomed
	content words:		Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt, Ancient Egypt, Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, Step Pyramid, Pepy II, Mentuhotep II, Middle East

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Egyptian History 101
By Vickie Chao

¹     A long time ago, before Egypt was a united country, there were two kingdoms -- Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. Upper Egypt was in the south. It controlled the areas along the upstream of the Nile. Lower Egypt was in the north. It occupied the Nile delta, a fertile stretch of land near the mouth of the river.

²     According to legends, Menes, a king of Upper Egypt, conquered Lower Egypt around 3100 B.C. He became the first king presiding over the whole of Egypt. Menes was quite sensitive to the differences between the "Two Lands" he now governed. So he tried to incorporate symbols from both sides. For example, carvings from his time often depict an entwined lotus and papyrus as well as a pharaoh named Narmer wearing two crowns. Lotus and the white, tall crown were the emblems of Upper Egypt, whereas papyrus and the red, low crown were the images of Lower Egypt. Given that Menes is a legendary figure, historians cannot agree on whether he actually existed. Some believe that Menes and Narmer were actually the same man. Others disagree. The dispute is still going on today.

³     No matter who consolidated Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, there is one thing for sure. Ancient Egypt had 31 dynasties. It began around 3100 B.C. and ended in 332 B.C.

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