Introduction to Ancient Egypt

• Civilization in Egypt began around 3,100 BCE and lasted approximately 3,500 years.
• Egyptologists have been uncovering the ruins and artifacts, deciphering inscriptions, and restoring monuments of ancient Egypt for centuries.
• 13^th Century BCE – Khaemwese was the first Egyptologist (son of Ramses II).
• Ancient Egypt is much more than just Pharaoh, pyramids, elaborate burials, and curses.
• Many historians suffer from “tunnel vision” – grandeur of monuments overshadows the people and society.
• The study of ancient Egypt is ongoing – with each new discovery comes new questions and theories about ancient Egyptian civilization and life.

The Geography of Egypt

• Isolated and protected by deserts on all sides.
• Inhospitable environment of the desert protected Egypt from invasion and from outside influences.
• Slow, isolated development – stability was the goal; change was done slowly and with caution.

The Nile River

• Developed around a great river system – the Nile River.
• Extremely fertile due to annual, predictable flooding.
• Was a lifeline – provided water, silt, natural highway.
• Nile Delta – area where the Nile empties into the Mediterranean Sea; largest area of fertile land.
• Lived on the eastern side; buried the dead on the western side.

Red Land, Black Land

• Red Land (deshret) – dead (unfertile) sands of the surrounding desert; the “forbidden” territory; houses many minerals (gold, fine gems).
• Black Land (kemet) – rich silt soil along the bank of the Nile.

The Mediterranean

• Close access to the Mediterranean helped to increase and expand trade and culture.

Historical Overview

• Egypt began as two separate kingdoms: Upper and Lower Egypt.
• Upper – tall white crown
• Lower – red crown
• There are seven major periods:
• Predynastic Period
• Old Kingdom
• Middle Kingdom
• New Kingdom
• Late Dynastic Period
• Greek Period
• Roman Period

Historical Highlights

• UNIFICATON – upper and lower Egypt are unified; began 3000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization.
• AGE OF PYRAMIDS – began during the era of the Old Kingdom; evolved from mastabas, to step pyramids, to the true pyramid.
• NATIONAL GOD: AMON’RE – the god Amon was merged with the god Re, becoming the national god of Egypt, Amon-Re.
• EXODUS – Hebrew slaves in Egypt (under the reign of Ramses II) were led out of Egypt by Moses.

Predynastic Period

• 3100 to 2650 BCE (1^st -2^nd dynasty)
• 3100 BCE – war broke out between Upper and Lower Egypt, with Upper Egypt being triumphant.
• King Menes united the kingdoms, beginning the first Egyptian dynasty.
• Wore the double crown.
• Memphis named the capital.
• Developments:
• Hieroglyphics
• Irrigation system

Old Kingdom

• 2650 to 2134 BCE (3^rd to 6^th dynasty)

• King (pharaoh) is considered to be a living god
  – the supreme ruler of all affairs.
• “Age of the Pyramids”
• A symbol of unlimited authority of Egyptian pharaohs.
• Step Pyramid at Saqqara (Djoser)
• Great Pyramids at Giza (Khufu/Cheops, Khafre/Chephrem, Menhure/Mycerinus)
• Imhotep – first vizier
• the founder of Egyptian system of medicine
• architect (space and design)
• only man who was not a pharaoh, yet recorded in history
• Developments:
• Hieroglyphics improve
• Farming and trade regulated
• Egypt divided into provinces/districts; governor appointed
• FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD (2143 to 2040 BCE)
• A time of general disorder and anarchy (about 150 years).
• Began after the death of Pepi II.
• No strong king able to control entire territory.
• Many were competing for power and trying to form own dynasty (7^th to 10^th Dynasty).
• Memphis falls into a state of neglect.

Middle Kingdom

• 2040 to 1640 BCE (11^th to 12^th dynasty)
• Egypt was reunited by Theban kings of the 11^th Dynasty and began to prosper again.
• Local governors still posed a threat.
• Developments:
• Amon-Re becomes the national god
• Trade links rebuilt
• Creation of fine crafts
• Interest in learning was renewed
• Architecture, literature, and arts flourished
• Hyksos introduced horse-drawn chariots, copper arrowheads, daggers, curved-blade sword, and compound bow
• SECOND INTERMEDIATE PERIOD (1640 to 1550 BCE)
• AKA: The Hyksos Invasion
• Period of time where Egypt was controlled by foreign rulers (Hyksos Kings).
• “Rulers of foreign land”
• The Hyksos were a warlike people from areas now known as Syria and Palestine.
• While Egypt was culturally superior, they lagged behind in technology
• The superior technology of the Hyksos enabled them to take over Egypt.
• Once Egyptians were able to master new technology and weapons, they were able to drive the Hyksos out of Egypt.

The New Kingdom

• 1550 to 1070 BCE (18^th to 20^th Dynasty)
• Pharaohs were fearless, tireless, strong, and invincible.
• Egypt would never fall to foreign hands again
• Stronger, larger standing armies
• Expanded Egyptian empire
• Religious revolution under Amenhotep (Akhenaton)
• The Amarna Revolution
• Developments:
• Leather body armour covered with medal scales
• Charioteers carried large shields
• Foreign trade is extended
• SOME IMPORTANT PEOPLE…
• Hatshepsut
• Powerful female pharaoh (one of four)
• Stepmother and regent to Tuthmosis III (rightful heir)
• Rebuilt Egypt’s trade network
• Tuthmosis III
• A military genius – “Napoleon of Egypt”
• Amarna Revolution – made the sun god Aton the only recognized
  god of Egypt (polytheistic to monotheistic)

• Tutankhamun (Tutankhaton): Son of Akehaton; took power at age 9 or 10 (the boy king)
• Restores the old religion of Egypt
• Discovery of his tomb renewed people’s interest in ancient Egypt
• Horemheb: Repudiates the religion of Akhenaton
• Ramses II: Rules as empire crumbles under pressure from the Hittites
• Believed to be the pharaoh who reigned during Exodus

The Late Dynastic Period

• 1070 to 332 BCE
• Bitter struggles for power increased among priests and nobles.
• Egypt broke up into a number of small states.
• Lost territory abroad.
• Weakness attracted invaders
• Egypt is invaded and dominated by a series of groups: Nubia, Assyria, Saite, Persia.

The Greek Period

• 332 to 48 BCE
• Egyptians resented Persia’s occupation.
• Revolts and opposition were frequent.
• 332 BCE: Alexander the Great (Macedonia) conquers Persia and takes control of Egypt.
• Alexandria was founded.
• After Alexander the Great’s death, Ptolemy I ruled Egypt.
• Greek culture was spread – temples built to Greek gods.

The Roman Period

• 48 BCE to 395 CE
• Cleopatra VII and her brothers wrangled for power and drew the attention of Rome.
• Cleopatra eventually formed alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
• Egypt became a territory of Rome upon the suicide of Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
• Roman law was introduced
• Iron weapons and tools, clear glass, terra-cotta lamps, lathe, split-nib pen, key, ox-drawn waterwheel, threshing machine
• By 642 CE, Egypt was conquered by Muslims from Arabia.