Download Bricola Johnson College Composition CENG105WS November 15

Bricola Johnson
College Composition CENG105WS
November 15, 2011
Professor Peterson
Cultural Analysis Paper
The Environmental Effects on Ancient Egypt Were Positive
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 civilization of the ancient
world. Ancient Egypt was faced with several natural changes that inspired and developed the
Civilization. The environment was their way to expand their empire, speak to the gods, and it
was also their way of survival. The ties between the environment and Egypt cultivated much of
its society because they depended on the never failing reward of the Nile River. This civilization
continued to flourish and gain sacred and traditional values because of the desire of the Nile and
the deserts surrounding it. The ancient Egyptians thrived off of the environmental conditions,
which shaped and influenced their culture and religion. The hopeful outlook of Egyptian culture
could be thankfully established as a source of a treasured necessity, rather than a tragic cause of
floods. How did the environment effect ancient Egyptians and was it a positive effect on their
society?
The Nile served as a dwelling place for the Egyptians. Without the Nile’s consistent
floods, ancient Egyptian civilization wouldn’t have survived long. “The Nile River, which
formed the focus on ancient Egyptian civilization, originates in the highlands of East Africa and
flows northward.”1 Significantly, most Egyptians lived in the valleys and deltas of the mighty
Nile River. “During June to October the Nile would bring water during its annual flood stage.
The dependable pulse of the river’s yearly cycle of flood regulated the Egyptian Life. It
1
Ancient Egyptian Religion, “Ancient Egyptian Religion,” St. Petersburg Times, www2.sptimes.com/Egypt
(accessed 1999).
cultivated a more optimistic outlook on life, a confidence in the natural order of things.”
2
Therefore, The Nile River was ancient Egypt’s main source of survival. Seeing as, the
environment was so powerful to the ancient Egyptians the development of culture began to take
shape. It was reliable and convenient, and the Egyptians thrived off of it.
The water of the Nile is valued by the ancient Egyptian civilization for numerous reasons.
The Nile was valuable to the people of ancient Egypt because of its persistent water flow. The
arid land around it was fertile only where the water reached. The growth of crops contributed
from the vast amount of moisture and nutrition it brought to the soil and plants. The fertile soil
and minerals would help crops such as red barely, white wheat, fruits, and vegetables grow each
year. This was very helpful to ancient Egypt’s Empire and because of it the civilization gave
praise to the Nile’s beneficial water supply. Therefore, the ancient Egyptians valued the Nile
because it served them with plentiful food.
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. “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.”3 Because they thrived
very well off the environment their civilization was able to industrialize certain religions and
cultures as well.
One significant value to this advantage to their world was the pharaohs. The Egyptians
followed the words of the Pharaoh, a man or woman of absolute power, said to be sent from the
2
Jui-Hwal Upshir and others, World History (Boston, Ma, 2005).
K.A. Kitchen, “The chronology of Ancient Egypt: World Archaeology,” Vol. 23, No. 2, Chronologies (Oct.,
1991): 201-208, www.jstore.orgezproxy.auctr.edu.
3
Gods as a representation of them, in hope to see improvement with the Empire and the growth of
crops, prosperity and humanity. They had the power to assure prosperity and control the rituals
that assured the flow of the Nile and the fertility derived from irrigation. Amenhotep IV (reigned
1369-1353), unlike most of the militaristic pharaohs who proceeded him, was notable for his
innovations in religion and culture. The pharaohs were the manifestation of certain deities and
were the central authority in the Old Kingdom which lasted from (2575 BC to 2257 BC).
A rebel in Amenhotep IV’s approach toward art and theology, he recognized gods only
himself and the solar disk, Aton. “Compared with the polytheism of the natural world, his
religion closely approached monotheism.”4 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 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 Pharaoh, being the ruler and messenger, created laws, such as taxes, the creation of
temples, and consequences of unlawful actions, that were applied and carried throughout time to
ensure that the mistakes made before would not reoccur and cause destruction to Egypt. 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. Therefore, 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. Religion was a major part of ancient Egypt, and they also believed in life after death.
4
Jui-Hwal Upshir and others, World History (Boston, Ma, 2005).
The Egyptians must have proved worthy in order to live with Osiris, who was a god in ancient
Egypt.
Although religion was important in ancient Egypt, the most universal Egyptian myth
concerning religion was the god Osiris. He was slain by his evil brother but reborn through the
efforts of his wife Isis. Because Osiris was so significant and cherished by the ancient Egyptians
they appreciated his importance to the spirit world. “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.
A distinguishing antique monument 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. This pyramid is an example of ancient Egypt’s fascinating culture and
Egyptian architecture. “The Khufu 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 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 hieroglyphics alphabet, which were simplified pictures
of objects abstracted to represent concepts or sounds. This is how the Egyptians would
5
H.W. Fairman, Ancient Affairs: African Studies Association of the United Kingdom (vol. 64, 1965), 69-75.
Darrell Dykstra, “Pyramids, Prophets, and Progress: Ancient Egypt in the Writings of Ali Wubarak,
Encyclopedia, “ Literature Resource Center, (1994): 54.
7
Jui-Hwal Upshir and others, World History (Boston, Ma, 2005).
6
communicate often times with one another. They would also use the hieroglyphics alphabet as
inscriptions, adorned in the tombs and temples. The hieroglyphics alphabet lasted from (3200 BC
to AD 400). “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
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.
8
Troy Allen, The Ancient Egyptian Family Kinship and Social Structure (New York, 2009).
Bibliography
Ancient Egyptian Religion, “Ancient Egyptian Religion,” St. Petersburg Times,
www2.sptimes.com/Egypt (accessed 1999).
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).