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Ancient Egypt
The civilization of Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest in world history. It is usually
held to have come to existence in around 3000 BC in the Nile River Valley.
As well as being one of the earliest, the
Ancient Egyptians had one of the longest
lasting civilizations in world history. The
great days of Ancient Egypt fell between
c. 3000 BC and c. 1000 BC.
Ancient Egyptian civilization’s long
lifespan throughout history was typified
by three distinct stable periods - the Old
Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom and the
New Kingdom - separated by
Intermediate Periods when the country
was weak, divided and invaded.
Location
Egypt is situated in the Nile Valley, in the north east of Africa. By 3000 BC, the unified
kingdom of Egypt occupied the entire Nile Valley north of a series of rapids called the 1st
Cataract.
The life of Ancient Egypt centered around the Nile and the fertile land along its banks.
The farmers in the long, narrow Nile Valley developed irrigation methods to control the
flow of the river to a predictable stream through its rainy and dry seasons. The valley was
fertile and rich, creating vast surpluses of crops that made possible incredible building
projects such as the Pyramids and the temples of Luxor. The surpluses were also used to
fund a refined lifestyle for the elite; to develop
overseas trade and diplomacy; and to pay for wars
of conquest.
The achievements of the civilization involved
innovations in writing - hieroglyphics - and
administration; in quarrying and surveying, maths
and architecture; irrigation and agricultural
production methods; as well as some of the
earliest ships.
Art
Much of the art which has come down to us is funery art - art designed for the tomb. The
Ancient Egyptians believed that life could continue as normal in the afterlife, and so the
dead were accompanied in their graves by everyday and luxury goods – including art
objects - to help them enjoy their new life.
Ancient Egyptian art emphasized a rigid style which changed remarkably little over the
millennia.
The iconic Egyptian two-dimensional style is found in tombs, temples and statues.
Egyptian statues were carved from stone and rock, or wood as a cheap alternative, with
paint obtained from mineral ores quarried from surrounding areas. The wall paintings in
tombs often depict lively scenes of everyday life, bringing this ancient civilization vividly
to life.
Architecture
The Ancient Egyptians built some of the
most-awe inspiring structures the world has
ever seen, such as the Pyramids of Giza. The
construction of pyramids was in fact restricted
to the earlier days of Egyptian civilization.
The average Egyptian lived in a simple mud,
wood or brick abode, with the elite having
elaborate palaces, rich in art.
Technology
Mathematics
The Ancient Egyptians developed high levels of mathematics to enable them to build
their pyramids and temples with remarkably simple tools. Their practical mathematics
must have been of a very high order indeed.
Medicine
Ancient Egyptian funerary practices, which involved embalming the dead, did not lead to
detailed knowledge of human anatomy. Nevertheless, Egyptian medicine acquired an
excellent reputation in the Ancient World. Ancient Egyptian doctors could stitch up
wounds, repair broken bones and amputate infected limbs. Cuts were bandaged by raw
meat, linen, and swabs soaked with honey. Opium was also used as a painkiller. Onions
and garlic were used as health foods in the diet.
Close to the Nile meant that water-borne diseases, such as malaria, were common. Other
common ailments included physical stresses caused from a life of labor. Life expectancy
was between 30 (women) and 35 (men), however about one third of infants never reached
adulthood.
Ship Building
The long river along which Ancient Egyptian civilization was built was an ideal
environment for the development of boat technology. Planks of wood were originally
held together by straps with reeds or grass pushed in to seal the gaps. Soon tree nails were
used to hold planks together. However, despite having the ships on which to sail, they
were not renowned as great sailors and did not engage in shipping across the
Mediterranean or Red Seas.
Government
The Ancient Egyptian civilization produced the first government to rule an entire nation.
The Pharaoh was the ruler of Ancient Egypt, both politically and religiously. The
Pharaoh held the title 'High Priest of Every Temple', meaning that he represented the
honor of the gods on all the Earth. In Egyptian eyes, the pharaoh was a god himself, who
stood between heaven and earth.
Pharaoh was in charge of the army, and would go to war when his lands were threatened requesting valuable gifts from the conquered people if victory was obtained.
To help the pharaoh in governing the land, an elaborate organization of officials, scribes
and overseers – the world’s first civil service – developed, bringing the reach of
government down to the lowliest villager.
Pharaoh himself was surrounded in his palace by high officials, ministers and courtiers.
Temples were used as places of worship and also as granaries and treasuries where grain
and goods were stored.
Economy and Society
Ancient Egypt’s economy was based on farming. The great majority of the people were
farmers. Because of the fertile nature of the Nile Valley, they were able to produce large
surpluses of food, which sustained the pharaoh and his court, his officials, the priests and
all the other members of the elite. Peasants also provided the mass labor which built the
pyramids and temples along the Nile Valley.
Trading inside Egypt would have been greatly successful by the presence of the River
Nile. Numerous towns, cities, and markets dotted the river bank. The Egyptian ancient
city of Memphis was one of the largest cities in the world, if not at the time, the largest.