Download Bricola Johnson College Composition I CENG

Bricola Johnson
College Composition I CENG-105WS
November 1, 2011
Professor Peterson
Cultural Analysis Paper
Ancient Egyptian’s Environment Vs. Religion and Culture
Ancient Egypt was a cultivating civilization that thrived along the Nile River in
northeastern Africa for more than 3,000 years. It was the longest lived civilization of the ancient
world. Culturally, it refers to the ways ancient Egyptians spoke, worshiped, organized
government, entertained themselves, and related to others who were not Egyptian. It’s
civilization from its origins to its decline focused on the Nile River and the deserts around it. The
Niles focus also gave a more optimistic cast of Egyptian culture; it could be thankfully received
as a source of never failing bounty, rather than a tragic cause of floods. Ancient Egyptian
Civilization survived a basic belief in a good and moral life on earth as a major means of
attempting afterlife, a concept that is reflected in most modern religions. Egypt thrived off the
environment, and the expansion of its civilization grew resulting from it. Therefore, the
environment formulated drastic changes to its culture and it inspired and shaped ancient Egypt’s
religion. What role does the environment have on ancient Egyptian’s culture and religions?
“The Nile River, which formed the focus on ancient Egyptian civilization, originates in
the highlands of East Africa and flows northward.”1 Most Egyptians lived in the valleys and
deltas of the mighty Nile River. The Nile River was ancient Egypt’s main source of survival. It
was reliable and convenient, and the Egyptians thrived off of it. “During June to October the Nile
would bring water during its annual flood stage. The dependable pulse of the river’s yearly cycle
1
Ancient Egyptian Religion, “Ancient Egyptian Religion,” St. Petersburg Times, www2.sptimes.com/Egypt
(accessed 1999).
of flood regulated the Egyptian Life.”2 Without the Niles consistent floods ancient Egyptian
civilization wouldn’t have survived long.
“This civilization relied so much on the Nile, that without it they wouldn’t have thrived
as long.”3 The people lived along the river for its valuable land and persistent water flow. The
water of the Nile is valued by the ancient Egyptian civilization because they use this source for
numerous reasons. It brings fertile soil and minerals each year. The Egyptians were able to grow
crops such as red barely, white wheat, fruits, and vegetables. The arid land around it was fertile
only where the water reached. Therefore, the ancient Egyptians valued the Nile and developed
life and different living conditions because of it.
Egypt has the most productive agricultural land of the ancient world. The reliable rhythm of the
Nile affected the people of Egypt by, fostering a more hopeful outlook on life, and a confidence
in the natural order as well. The ancient Egyptians believed so much in the natural world and
they felt that it contributed very well in their society. Because they thrived very well of the
environment their civilization was able to industrialize certain religions and cultures. One
significant value to this magnificent advantage to their world was the Pharaohs. The Pharaohs
were the gods on earth, and the Egyptians believed that praying to the gods would improve their
empire and help their crops grow. They had the power to assure prosperity and control the rituals
that assured the flow of the Nile and the fertility derived from irrigation.
The Pharaohs which were the son or the manifestation of certain deities were the central
authority in the Old Kingdom. Ancient Egyptians were under these rules but looked to the
guidance of the natural world. When Egypt had enough rain and sunlight they believed that the
Gods were pleased and that there was no need to fear for the Niles catastrophes. Whenever there
2
3
Jui-Hwal Upshir and others, World History (Boston, Ma, 2005)
Ancient World History, “Ancient Egypt,” www.awhistory.com/Egypt (accessed 2003).
were floods or storms they believed the gods were unsatisfied. The Pharaohs would past
judgment creating laws, and temples used to expand their empire. Egyptians adopted the means
of pharaohs as governance to provide immovability and authority. “The diversity of the
environment supported a variety of human communities, which, in turn have developed a wide
range of economic, social, cultural and political strategies for survival.”4
Religion guided every aspect of Egyptian life. They valued their religion; it was very
sacred to them. Most of their religious values centered on the effect of the environment. Egyptian
religion was based on polytheism, which meant believing in many gods. The Egyptians had as
many as 2,000 gods and goddesses. The Temples were considered as dwelling places for the
gods. The purpose of the temples was to be a cosmic center by which men had communication
with the gods. Religion was a major part of ancient Egypt, they believed in life after death. The
Egyptians must have proved worthy in order to live with Osiris, who was a god in ancient Egypt.
The most universal Egyptian myth concerned the god Osiris. He was slain by his evil
brother but reborn through the efforts of his wife Isis. “The people of ancient Egypt praised the
well being of the king, both during and after his life on earth.”5 This description leads to the
practice of mummification. “Mummification is the attempt to ensure the continued comfort and
goodwill of the deceased king in the afterworld.”6 Therefore, Egypt is well known for their
temples, tombs, mausoleums, pyramids, and funeral monuments. Their land has a wide range of
historical value that centered on their faiths and religion. The antique monuments that they have
built centuries ago still stand till this day.
4
K.A. Kitchen, “The chronology of Ancient Egypt: World Archaeology,” Vol. 23, No. 2, Chronologies (Oct.,
1991): 201-208, www.jstore.orgezproxy.auctr.edu.
5
H.W. Fairman, Ancient Affairs: African Studies Association of the United Kingdom (vol. 64, 1965), 69-75
6
Darrell, Dykstra, “Pyramids, Prophets, and Progress: Ancient Egypt in the Writings of Ali Wubarak,
Encyclopedia, “ Literature Resource Center, (1994): 54
A distinguishing mark of Egypt’s civilization is the pyramids. The pyramids are perfected
and are of great significance to ancient Egypt. One of the greatest pyramids built at Giza, is the
Khufu. “Which dates from about 2600 B.C.E; it was 460 feet high and 755 feet on each side. It
was made from 2.3 million stone blocks averaging 2.5 tons each.”7 This pyramid is an example
of ancient Egypt’s fascinating culture and Egyptian architecture. Although the pyramids were the
everlasting homes of royalty and life after death to the pharaohs; their meaning is derived from
such a unique and manifesting civilization.
Egyptian culture had developed a holographic alphabet, which were simplified pictures of
objects abstracted to represent concepts or sounds. This is how the Egyptians would
communicate often times with one another. They would also use the holographic alphabet as
inscriptions, adorned in the tombs and temples. “The Egyptians were the first people to create the
length of the solar year, which they divided into 12 months each with three weeks of ten days.”8
The week was the only separation of time not based on any normal cycles. The accomplishment
of this calendar suggests Egyptian concern about predicting the flooding of the Nile and their
abilities in excessive observation. They wanted to be prepared for the environmental disasters
that would take place every year.
Ancient Egypt was a cultivating and thriving civilization. They consistently used the
environment for numerous reasons that helped them establish land, culture, and religion. The
source of the Nile River gave the Egyptians never failing bounty, although they did have
constant floods. The expansions of their civilization resulted from the land surrounding the Nile
River, which gave them fertile land for growing crops. When there was enough rain the pharaohs
of the natural world believed that the Gods were pleased and that there was no need to fear for
7
8
Jui-Hwal Upshir and others, World History (Boston, Ma, 2005)
Troy Allen, The Ancient Egyptian Family Kinship and Social Structure (New York, 2009)
the Niles catastrophes. However, the Egyptians were well known for their pyramids, temples,
tombs, and fascinating monuments. Ancient Egypt was a magnificent and very exceptional
civilization; their significance will always be treasured and remembered.
Bibliography
Ancient Egyptian Religion, “Ancient Egyptian Religion,” St. Petersburg Times,
www2.sptimes.com/Egypt (accessed 1999).
Ancient World History, “Ancient Egypt,” www.awhistory.com/Egypt (accessed 2003).
Darrell, Dykstra, “Pyramids, Prophets, and Progress: Ancient Egypt in the Writings of
Ali Wubarak, Encyclopedia, “ Literature Resource Center, (1994): 54
H.W. Fairman, Ancient Affairs: African Studies Association of the United Kingdom (vol.
64, 1965), 69-75
K.A. Kitchen, “The chronology of Ancient Egypt: World Archaeology,” Vol. 23, No. 2,
Chronologies (Oct., 1991): 201-208, www.jstore.orgezproxy.auctr.edu.
Jui-Hwal Upshir and others, World History (Boston, Ma, 2005)
Troy Allen, The Ancient Egyptian Family Kinship and Social Structure (New York,
2009)