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Ancient Egypt
History is also a travel back in time and place that has
left its imprint on humanity forever.
At no other period of known history has a civilization
left behind so many clues and riddles that could answer
mankind’s deepest searching of today.
Egypt: The Land
Egypt is basically a desert, part of the great Sahara
Desert.
However, near the Nile River, the land is very moist and
fertile.
Many historians have described Egypt as” the gift of the
Nile.”
The Nile:
Geography and climate account for much of Egypt’s
stability in the course of 3000 years of ancient history.
Rising 4000 miles to the south in Central Africa, the
Nile runs its course northwards to the Mediterranean.
Rapids called cataracts make the river impassable at six
points.
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In lower Egypt the Nile breaks into channels resembling
a triangle called the delta because its similarity to the
Greek letter “delta.”
Egypt offers a sharp contrast to the inhospitable
conditions present in Mesopotamia.
The Nile does not flood erratically like the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers.
Additionally, the soil is richer in the Nile valley,
allowing two crops a year.
Finally, whereas Mesopotamia possesses no natural
barriers, Egypt is separated from potential invasions by
deserts in the west and east, jungles in the south, and
the Mediterranean in the north.
Egypt owes its very existence to the Nile.
This river overflows every year. As the water recedes, it
leaves behind a deposit of fertile mud.
This mud is so fertile that it makes the soil of Egypt one
of the richest in the world.
The Nile River not only fertilizes the fields, but also
supplies water so necessary for agriculture.
This water is channeled and controlled by means of
dikes and canals.
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The Nile River also provided fish and birds, while the
grains of a plant called the lotus served as food for the
ancient Egyptians.
Another plant, papyrus, provided the material for
making of baskets, rope, mats and a kind of writing
paper.
Clay from the river, mixed with straw, was used for the
walls of Egyptian houses.
The History of Egypt:
The civilization of Ancient Egypt flourished for more
than 3,000 years.
It survived years of wars and political struggle.
Most of Ancient Egyptian history is organized
according to the Kingdom or Dynasty that was in
control of Ancient Egypt at the time.
Education:
Education was very important to the Ancient
Egyptians.
By becoming educated, Egyptians could move up to a
more respected position in the society.
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Getting a respectable job meant learning how to read
and write. Math was also very important.
Egyptian writing is known as hieroglyphs, which is
basically little pictures.
They made letters and words by drawing pictures.
Some of the hieroglyphs represent letters, and other
hieroglyphs represent sounds.
The Ancient Egyptian civilization was one of the first to
use written language.
They wrote on the insides of tombs, on pottery, and on
paper called papyrus, which was made out of reeds
woven together.
Family Life:
Family life was very important to Ancient Egyptians.
Most families had a husband, a wife, and children.
Children were considered a great blessing to Egyptian
families.
Wealthier Egyptians had servants in their homes to
help care for the children and to help with household
duties.
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Pharaohs, or kings, had several wives.
Usually, the women worked in their homes, although
there were some women who had jobs and even a few
who became doctors.
Young boys went to school to learn reading, writing,
religion, and math.
There were no schools for girls, but many lerned to read
and write at home.
Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs: (Great House)
Menes is considered the first Pharaoh.
The term “Pharaoh” was not used by the Egyptians.
This expression came into general usage because of the
Bible.
The Pharaoh was supposedly so much better than
ordinary Egyptians, that actually a god, the son of the
Sun-god, Ra.
When a pharaoh died, it is believed that he joined Rah
in his day boat (the Sun) as he sailed across the sky.
The pharaohs built themselves huge burial tombs of
stone, the pyramids.
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Once a pharaoh died, his subjects began a long and
intricate process of preserving his body, called
mummification.
By using the correct chemicals, Egyptians were able to
preserve the body of the pharaoh so that it would still
be intact in his next life.
Mummies that scientists have discovered today are still
intact, despite being over 4,000 years old.
Pharaohs were buried deep inside the pyramids,
surrounded by all of the things that they might need in
the next life.
These things included food, jewelry, furniture, even
beloved pets, and sometimes a favorite servant who died
in order to be able to serve his king when the Pharaoh
awoke in the afterlife.
Ma’at:
The Pharoah possessed complete authority.
The king ruled as a living god.
His chief responsibility was to rule according to
“Ma’at.”
Ma’at is an untranslatable Egyptian concept that
includes justice, right, truth, law, and order.
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Archaic Period:
Introduction of writing – “Hieroglyphs”
Menes unified Upper and Lower Egypt
Agriculture was well-established and copper was used
to make tools.
The Old Kingdom:
The Old Kingdom consisted of the first three dynasties
of Egyptian rulers.
Third Dynasty – capital moved to Memphis
Fourth Dynasty – pyramids were built
First Intermediate Period:
Collapse of the central government
The Middle Kingdom:
The Middle Kingdom was one of brilliance.
Massive land projects
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Second Intermediate Period:
The invasion of Egypt by the Hyksos (“Rulers of
Foreign Lands”)
They brought three innovations: use of horses, chariots,
and body armor.
The New Kingdom:
The Hyksos invasion left a lasting impression on Egypt
Period of expansion – Palestine and Syria
Slavery was introduced during this period.
Social Classes:
There were four classes in the Old and Middle
Kingdom:
The Royal Family
Nobles
Middle Class
Peasants
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Hykos - added two new classes
Professional Soldiers
Slaves
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