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Download Egypt – Gift of the Nile
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Egypt – Gift of the Nile The geography profoundly shaped every aspect of culture in ancient Egypt • 97% of Egypt uninhabitable desert • The Nile cuts through it flowing northward • Every June the waters rise, overflow, and recede, leaving fertile silt • Whole population narrowly packed into a stretch of land on the riverbanks. The Cycle of Death and Rebirth was central to Egyptians’ world view • Source #1: the Nile. Its predictabe flooding was seen as part of a great cosmic rhythm • Source #2: the sun. Its daily cycle of rising and setting was associated with being born and dying • They viewed their exsistence in an otherwise barren desert because they were blessed by the gods • Source #3: the king. Pharaohs were seen to be as powerful as natural forces, and could be reborn also. • Mummification ensured the pharoah would have his body for his next life, along with all his material possessions Geography of Egypt also influenced politics • Natural barriers isolated and protected Egypt from outsiders • Not affected by others, a strong communal identity was there from the very start This satellite photo of Egypt shows clearly how Egypt is protect on all sides by deserts or large bodies of water. Upper and Lower Egypt • Egypt has always been divided into many separate districts called nomes • Through alliances they evolved to form two main factions of Egypt, one in the north (Lower) and one in the south (Upper) • Little is known about this Pre-dynastic phase This map shows the various nomes of Lower Egypt Narmer and the unification of Egypt • Around 3100 BCE became ruler of Upper Egypt, defeated Lower Egypt, and united the regions for the first time All the pharaohs that will follow Narmer always still called themselves the kings of the two lands, Upper and Lower Egypt, and this was signified by the fact that the pharaohs actually wore two crowns, one placed on top of the other. One was the white cobra crown of Upper Egypt, and the other was the red vulture crown of Lower Egypt. The Old Kingdom • Capital of united Egypt would be at Memphis, where Upper and Lower meet • Across the river would be the most famous cemetery in world history The Old Kingdom Period was the great age of pyramid building that started with Djoser's 6-step pyramid at Saqqara. Golden Age of pyramid building • First pyramid designed by Imhotep, as the grand tomb for his boss the pharaoh • The Old Kingdom saw the building of the famous pyramids of Giza • Pyramids were not built with slave labor For almost 5,000 years the Pyramids at Giza were the tallest man-made structures in the world Fall of the Old Kingdom • Eventually nobles gained more wealth/power and challenged the pharaoh • The country fragmented back to nomes and an era of chaos lasting from about 2181- 2041 B.C.E Inscription in the tomb of local Governor, Ankhtifi, who lived during the time of the collapse of the Old Kingdom The Middle Kingdom • Eventually a strong-man from Upper Egypt, Mentuhotep II, compelled other nobles to accept his rule • His rule begins what historians call the Middle Kingdom, lasting from about 2040-1782 B.C.E. • It was an uneasy time of antagonism between pharaohs and nobles This pectoral is a superb example of the technical skill and artistry of Middle Kingdom jewelers. The two falcons, representing the sun god Re, clasp a circular hieroglyph meaning "encircled," thus declaring the solar deity's supreme power over the universe. Fall of the Middle Kingdom • The country will again fragment back to nomes and an era of chaos lasting from about 1782-1570 B.C.E. • During this time Lower Egypt is conquered by the mysterious Hykosos people