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Ancient Egypt for Kids

Overview
Timeline of Ancient Egypt
Old Kingdom
Middle Kingdom
New Kingdom
Late Period
Greek and Roman Rule

Monuments and Geography
Geography and the Nile River
Cities of Ancient Egypt
Valley of the Kings
Egyptian Pyramids
Great Pyramid at Giza
The Great Sphinx
King Tut's Tomb
Famous Temples
Culture
Egyptian Food, Jobs, Daily Life
Ancient Egyptian Art
Clothing
Entertainment and Games
Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
Temples and Priests
Egyptian Mummies
Book of the Dead
Ancient Egyptian Government
Women's Roles
Hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics Examples
People
Pharaohs
Akhenaten
Amenhotep III
Cleopatra VII
Hatshepsut
Ramses II
Thutmose III
Tutankhamun

Other
Inventions and Technology
Boats and Transportation
Egyptian Army and Soldiers
Glossary and Terms


Back to History

Ancient Egypt was one of the greatest and most powerful civilizations in the history of the world. It lasted for over 3000 years from 3150 BC to 30 BC.

The Nile River

The civilization of ancient Egypt was located along the Nile River in northeast Africa. The Nile was the source of much of ancient Egypt's wealth. Great Egyptian cities grew up along the Nile as the Egyptian people became experts in irrigation and were able to use the water from the Nile to grow rich and profitable crops. The Nile provided food, soil, water, and transportation for the Egyptians. Great floods would come each year and would provide fertile soil for growing food.

Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
Pyramids of Giza by Ricardo Liberato

Kingdoms and Periods

Historians usually group the history of ancient Egypt into three major kingdoms called the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. It was during these times that ancient Egypt was at its strongest. The times between the Kingdoms are called intermediate periods.

Culture

Ancient Egypt was rich in culture including government, religion, arts, and writing. The government and religion were tied together as the leader of the government, the Pharaoh, was also leader of the religion. Writing was also important in keeping the government running. Only scribes could read and write and they were considered powerful people.

Pyramids and Treasure

The pharaohs of Egypt were often buried in giant pyramids or in secret tombs. They believed that they needed treasure to be buried with them to help them in the afterlife. As a result, archeologists have a lot of well preserved artifacts and tombs to examine in order to find out how the ancient Egyptians lived.

End of the Empire

The Ancient Egyptian Empire began to weaken in about 700 BC. It was conquered by a number of other civilizations. The first to conquer Egypt was the Assyrian Empire, followed a hundred or so years later by the Persian Empire. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Egypt and set up his own ruling family called the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Finally, the Romans came in 30 BC and Egypt became a province of Rome.

Interesting Facts about Ancient Egypt
Recommended books and references:

  • Sightseers: A guide to Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs by Sally Tagholm. 1999.
  • Eyewitness Books: Ancient Egypt written by George Hart. 2008.
  • Mummies, Pyramids, and Pharaohs by Gail Gibbons. 2004.
  • The Penguin Historical Atlas of Egypt by Bill Manley. 1996.
  • What Life Was Like on the Banks of the Nile by the Editors of Time-Life Books. 1997.
  • Ancient Civilizations: The Illustrated Guide to Belief, Mythology, and Art. Edited by Professor Greg Wolf. 2005.


  • Take a ten question quiz about this page.

    Go here to test your knowledge with our ancient Egypt crossword puzzle or word search.

    More information on the civilization of ancient Egypt:

    Overview
    Timeline of Ancient Egypt
    Old Kingdom
    Middle Kingdom
    New Kingdom
    Late Period
    Greek and Roman Rule

    Monuments and Geography
    Geography and the Nile River
    Cities of Ancient Egypt
    Valley of the Kings
    Egyptian Pyramids
    Great Pyramid at Giza
    The Great Sphinx
    King Tut's Tomb
    Famous Temples
    Culture
    Egyptian Food, Jobs, Daily Life
    Ancient Egyptian Art
    Clothing
    Entertainment and Games
    Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
    Temples and Priests
    Egyptian Mummies
    Book of the Dead
    Ancient Egyptian Government
    Women's Roles
    Hieroglyphics
    Hieroglyphics Examples
    People
    Pharaohs
    Akhenaten
    Amenhotep III
    Cleopatra VII
    Hatshepsut
    Ramses II
    Thutmose III
    Tutankhamun

    Other
    Inventions and Technology
    Boats and Transportation
    Egyptian Army and Soldiers
    Glossary and Terms


    Works Cited

    Back to History



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