Pharaohs of Ancient EgyptElizabeth Payne
Last Page: Genesis and Job, The Beginning
This Page: Ancient Egypt
The book of Genesis closes with Joseph and the Israelites soujourning in Egypt, and a
study of ancient Egyptian civilization is next in the chronology of Western Civilization.
Next Page: The Ancient Near East
Many curricula overlook this important aspect of history, but the Ancient Near Eastern
civilizations were just as powerful and influential as Egypt, and play the major role in
the unfolding of Old Testament history.
The Ancient World for Older
Students
If you are beginning classical education or homeschooling with older grammar stage
students, or need resources to fill in the facts of history with dialectic and rhetoric
stage students, these will do that at a higher reading level.
Ancient World Teacher’s
Resources
The true history of the ancient world is misrepresented in many curricula, and many of us
were probably not taught it ourselves. Here are the essential materials to help the
homeschool parent correct that lack.
The civilizations of the Ancient Near East and Ancient Egypt grew up together and flourished over the course of thousands of years of history; sometimes they peacefully co-existed, sometimes the Near East conquered Egypt, and sometimes Egypt conquered the Near East. Abraham came from the Sumerian civilization of the Ancient Near East founded by Nimrod, and at one point visited Egypt, already well-settled in civilization and the dynasties and government of the Pharaohs. But children encounter the bulk of Near Eastern civilization after Egyptian civilization in the Bible: the empires of the Hittites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Persians; therefore we’ll study Egypt first and the Near East second.
The Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt is your narrative history spine for this section of the history study. At the proper places in the narrative, set it aside for a day or two, or a week or two, and read the following books to your children. (The proper place is indicated in each book’s description.) They elaborate on the events described in the narrative, and provide a much more fuller picture of Egyptian society and history.
Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
Elizabeth Payne
This Landmark book reprint tells the story of the major Egyptian pharaohs
in detail, each chapter being a short narrative of a Pharaoh’s life and the times in
which he lived. It begins with a fascinating chapter on the rediscovery of Ancient Egypt
in the 18th century. Following that are chapters on The Unification of the Two Kingdoms
& the Gift of the Nile, the first part of which is speculative, taking the
evolutionary view of long ages to civilization; Pharaoh Cheops and the Great Pyramid; the
First through Second Intermediate Periods; Queen Hatshepsut; Thutmose the Third; Akhnaton
and Tutankhamon; Rameses II; and the decline of Pharaonic Egypt.
Introduce this book following the conclusion of Genesis and before beginning
Exodus. Tell your children it is now time to learn more of the people among whom Joseph
and his family lived. Following the Tower of Babel dispersion, a family of descendents of
Ham, the Mizraim, settled Egypt (Genesis 10:6). We estimate Abram and Sarai sojourned in
Egypt following Pharaoh Cheops (Khufu) but prior to the First Intermediate Period (~2000 -
1900 BC). We estimate that Joseph became Vizier of Egypt during the 12th dynasty (Middle
Kingdom), ~1670 BC, and that Moses lived during the final 12th dynasty rulers and into the
13th dynasty. We believe that the plague of the first born ended the 13th dynasty, and the
10 plagues of Egypt and the destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea was the reason
Egypt was so weakened that the Middle Kingdom came to an end, and ushered in the Second
Intermediate Period with the Hyksos invaders as rulers of Egypt. (More information on the
chronology of Moses with Egypt can be found in the Searching for Moses article. A timeline with Egyptian chronology
harmonized to biblical chronology in the manner suggested by that article can be found in All Through the Ages History Through Literature
Guide recommended in the Teacher’s Resources.)
Pyramid
David Macaulay
David Macaulay describes in detail how the Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu)
might have been built, using the intricate and detailed illustrations he is famous for.
Those illustrations allow us to follow the Pyramid’s progress over the course of the
twenty years archaeologists estimate it took to build. Along the way we learn about the
tools common in Ancient Egypt and how they were probably used, stone-quarrying, slave
labor, and many fascinating details of everyday life. This absorbing book is appropriate
for children of all ages, as well as adults.
Introduce this book following Chapter Three, “The Good God - Pharaoh
Cheops.”
Mummies Made in Egypt
Aliki
Pyramids were built to house the mummies of the pharaohs. Aliki’s
award-winning illustrations decorate this book written for beginning readers to read on
their own. And yet, it still manages to contain a great deal of information about the
belief system and religious practices of the Egyptians, their gods of life and death, the
Egyptian Book of the Dead, how they prepared mummies for burial, and many other
interesting topics. A favorite of children, this book has been chosen as a Reading Rainbow
selection.
Introduce this book following Pyramid by David
Macaulay. You may also introduce the book, Tut’s Mummy: Lost
... and Found following Mummies Made in Egypt to finish this unit studying the
burial of the pharaohs begun in Pyramid.
Exodus
Read Exodus outloud to your children from the Holy Bible, using Family References as desired, or from a Bible storybook.
I also recommend parents study the article Searching for Moses by David Down, field archaeologist, originally published in the peer-reviewed TJ journal of science. This article discusses when Moses lived, when the Exodus took place, and what the evidence is for Israelite slavery in Egypt. He places the Ten Plagues and the Exodus following the 13th dynasty (the slaying of the first born actually ends the 13th dynasty at ~1450 BC) and before the Hyksos invasion, a conclusion with which I agree.
For a discussion of the ten plagues of Egypt as judgments on the Egyptian gods (Numbers 33:4), please see the David Guzik Study Guide for Exodus. At the end of each chapter’s notes, choose the “Next Chapter” link at the top of the page to continue the commentary on the ten plagues of Egypt.
Introduce Exodus following Chapter Four, “I Show Thee a Land Topsy-Turvy” in Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, especially following the section on the Middle Kingdom. Explain that Moses lived during the latter part of the Middle Kingdom, and now we will learn how that kingdom came to an end. Continue in Exodus until the end of Chapter 14, which ends with the drowning of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, and the deliverance of the Israelites.
Exodus
Brian Wildsmith
If your 1st grader enjoys a picture book to look at while you read the
powerful story of Exodus from the Bible, there is no better one than Brian
Wildsmith’s. The paintings are rich, detailed, and stunning, and true to what we know
of Egyptian architechtural style and decoration. The text is the most Biblically accurate
in a picture book outside of the Bible itself. Long out of print, this book, which is sure
to become a family treasure, is newly reprinted.
Introduce this book at the beginning of your study of Exodus. It will bring the
events of the story into crystal clear focus for your 1st grader, who can then refer back
to the picture book as you progress through the book of Exodus.
Gods and Goddesses of Ancient
Egypt
Leonard Everett Fisher
Thirteen deities are briefly described and illustrated, with Fisher’s
paintings which “evoke the graphic boldness of ancient Egyptian art”
(Publisher’s Weekly). The simple profiles of Ra, Osiris, Isis, Nut, and others are
combined with the historical setting and geographical frame of reference with a map. A
family tree and pronunciation guide help budding Egyptologists keep the figures straight.
Introduce this book while reading the account of the Ten Plagues of Egypt in
Exodus, as the ten plagues were a judgment on the Egyptian gods and goddesses. Another
benefit of this study enables children to see the root of Egyptian paganism as an
outgrowth of Babylonian paganism instituted by Nimrod, of which children will be learning
in the unit on the Ancient Near East. The Egyptians have similar myths to the Babylonians,
because the ancestors of the Egyptians migrated to Egypt from the Tower of Babel, bringing
paganism with them.
Hatshepsut, His Majesty, Herself
Catherine Andronik & Joseph Fielder
Hatshepsut gained Egypt’s throne when all her male
siblings--including the half brother whom she married--died. Originally named regent to
her nephew, Tuthmosis III, Hetshepsut gradually assumed more and more power, and
eventually had herself crowned pharaoh. Since no word existed for a female ruler,
Hatshepsut used the male title. She also wore men’s clothing and a [fake] beard, and
referred to herself as “he” as well as “she.” Following her death,
Tuthmosis III tried to erase evidence of Hatshepsut’s reign to make it seem as though
he had succeeded his father directly. This fascinating picture book biography explains
how, despite this vandalism, archaeologists have been able to piece together the story of
this unconventional pharaoh’s remarkable and mysterious life.
Introduce this book following Chapter Five, “His Majesty, Herself” in Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.
Growing Up in Ancient Egypt
Rosalie David
Growing Up in Ancient Egypt describes daily life in ancient Egypt
from a child’s point of view. In 32 nicely illustrated pages, it discusses life in
the city, life in the country, different types of work, pets and toys, meals, families,
and many other aspects. Dr. Rosalie David is a respected Egyptian archaeologist in her own
right.
Introduce this book following Chapter Six, “The Smiter of the Asiatics”
in Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, or at any time during the
study when your children ask questions about everyday life in Egypt.
Casting the Gods Adrift: A Tale of
Ancient Egypt
Geraldine McCaughrean
This is a tale of historical fiction set against the backdrop of
Akhenaten’s court. Akhenaten was the pharaoh who abolished the worship of
Egypt’s many gods, and only worshipped the sun-disk, Aten. An amazing amount of
authentic detail is communicated through the suspenseful story, and the many illustrations
further help to visualize ancient Egypt. While the independent reading level for this
story is 3rd grade and up, 1st graders will enjoy listening to it read aloud as part of
their history studies.
Introduce this book following Chapter Seven, “The Criminal of
Akhetaton” in Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.
Tut’s Mummy Lost ... and
Found
Judy Donnelly
A Step 4 Step Into Reading series book for beginning and early readers.
Tut’s Mummy describes the story of King Tut and his sumptious hidden burial in the
Valley of the Kings during the New Kingdom, and how his tomb was lost even though other
tombs were systematically broken into and robbed over the centuries. It is also the
exciting story of Howard Carter, the archaeologist whose long search finally led to the
discovery of Tut’s tomb early this century, unopened since the day millennia ago when
the priests sealed the entrance after the young king’s burial. Carter showed the
world the splendor in which ancient Egyptian pharaohs were buried, being the only
untouched pharaonic tomb found so far.
Introduce this book following Casting the Gods
Adrift. Tut was Akhenaten’s son and successor. An alternative would be to read
this book following Mummies Made in Egypt, to tie the whole
study of pyramids, mummies, and the burial of pharaohs together. Either alternative will
work equally well.
Science in Ancient Egypt
Geraldine Woods
This nicely illustrated book briefly introduces us to the most influential
of Egyptian uses and advances in science and mathematics. Each chapter looks at a single
scientific discipline -- science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, and
technology -- and the ancient Egyptians’ practical uses therein. Science in
Ancient Egypt is part of the Science of the Past series of books.
Introduce this book following the conclusion of Pharaohs
of Ancient Egypt, by looking at the contributions Egyptian civilization has made to
mankind’s knowledge of science and technology.
Cultural Atlas for
Young People: Ancient Egypt
Geraldine Harris
The Cultural Atlas series is an excellent introduction to the ancient,
classical and medieval worlds. Ancient Egypt begins with an illustrated timeline of
events; their dates will need to be harmonized with Biblical dates. (A timeline with
Egyptian chronology harmonized to biblical chronology can be found in All Through the Ages History Through Literature
Guide recommended in the Teacher’s Resources.) Part One covers the History of the
Pharaohs, illustrated with beautiful National Geographic-quality photographs and large,
full-page, full color maps. This section gives an overview of the geography of Egypt, the
Two Kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt, an overview of the beliefs concerning Pharaoh, the
gods of Egypt, heiroglyphs, burial customs, everyday life, then an overview of each of the
dynastic periods: pre-dynastic, early dynastic, the old, middle, and new kingdoms and the
intermediate periods, Egypt and the Near East, Egyptian warfare, and the decline of
pharaonic Egypt under various conquerors. Part Two takes readers on a journey down the
Nile, beginning with Nubia and ending at the Delta, visiting the Temple of Abu Simbel,
Thebes, Karnak, Giza, and other important landmarks along the way.
Use this book during the entire Ancient Egypt study as a supplement for the
helpful full-page maps, beautiful photographs of artifacts, historical sites, and wall
art, and when the topics covered are mentioned in Pharaohs of
Ancient Egypt or any of the other books used (for example, read the brief two page
spread on Egyptian warfare when the Egyptian army begins to close in on the Israelites at
the shores of the Red Sea).
A Coloring Book of Ancient Egypt
Bellerophon Books
Bellerophon Books produces beautiful coloring books for museum gift shops
based on the art of the time, rather than a modern artist’s rendering of that
period’s life and times. This book contains over 48 coloring pages inspired by the
many wall paintings found in pyramids, tombs, and temples in Ancient Egypt. There are a
few pictures of various gods and goddesses, then portraits of pharaohs, plant and animal
life along the Nile, and many scenes of everyday life in Ancient Egypt. My children
colored in this book while I read the history lessons outloud to them.
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Locating Out of Print Books
Sometimes books go out of print, or the publisher runs out of stock. Any book not
available from Barnes&Noble.com for any reason can be searched using AddAll.com, a book shopping site which
will scan Barnes&Noble.com as well as Amazon.com, Powell’s Books, Book Close Outs
and many other new and used book sites. Be sure to also check BookFinder.com for out of print book
searches.
If all else fails, and you cannot find a book you need, check it out from the library, or request it from your library through interlibrary loan. Once you have the book home, take it to a copy store and copy it. You can even have color copies done of key maps or photographs. Copy stores can now do nice bindings on your copy projects. The U.S. Copyright Law contains a fair use provision which allows an educator to make a single copy of out of print (not in print) works if needed for use in teaching (not for profit or publication). Then return the book to the library, and you have your own book to keep, usually for less than it would be from a collector’s book shop.
Still have questions? Ask me!
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Classical Christian Homeschooling Online Catalog: 1st Grade History: The Ancient World
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