Ancient Egypt

Early Egypt Sedentary agriculture began as early as ~8000 BCE. Due to scarcity of water, irrigation was very important. Water was withheld as punishment By 3000 BCE mathematics and the calendar had been developed to keep track of seasons.

Early Egypt By 3000 BCE, a pictogram form of writing, hieroglyphics had been developed. Organized religion emerged. Chief gods included: –Ra-God of Sun –Osiris-God of Earth, Fertilizing Water, Death –Set(h)-God of Desert, Warfare, Foreigners.

Old Kingdom The Old Kingdom was a period from 2700 to 2200 BCE King Menes was credited with uniting upper and lower Egypt into one nation. He became the first pharaoh, though pharaoh was not a term the Egyptians used.

Old Kingdom The pharaohs were considered divine rulers and made the world function. –They had the responsibility of making sure the sun rose. –They threw a note into the Nile demanding that it flood every year. – They ceremonially plowed the first earth of the season ensuring a good harvest.

Old Kingdom During the Old Kingdom there was a strong belief in the afterlife. However, the afterlife was reserved for pharaohs, their families, and their servants. Pyramids, especially the great pyramids of Khufu, Kafre, and Menkaure were built as tombs for the Pharaohs.

Old Kingdom Toward the end of the Old Kingdom, the power of the Pharaoh decreased. There was a rise of the priest class and a larger bureaucracy. Pharaohs gave away land and hereditary titles. This decentralized power.

Middle Kingdom The Middle Kingdom was a period from 2050 to 1750 BCE Strong pharaohs restored classic culture. Laws were codified, not from the word of the pharaohs. There were more public works such as dams and reclamation projects.

Foreign Invasion Egypt was controlled by foreigners known as the Hyksos from 1750 to 1550 BCE. The Hyksos used chariots, horses, and armor to defeat the Egyptians. The Hebrews came with the Hyksos to Egypt.

New Kingdom The New Kingdom was a period from 1550 to 1100 BCE. Strong pharaohs such as Ramses (?) expelled the Hyksos. It was during this time that the Hebrews were enslaved. The divinity of the pharaohs was reduced to a symbolic divinity.

And Beyond… After the New Kingdom, Egypt was conquered many times. First by the Assyrians, then the Persians, then the Greeks. After Egypt was conquered by Alexander the Great, the Ptolemies ruled Egypt. Cleopatra was the last Ptolemy who lost power when the Romans conquered Egypt in 30 BCE.

Dif. Than Meso. Egypt was more predictable than Mesopotamia. Egypt was isolated geographically. Egyptian culture based on the regularity of the Nile. Religion was more predictable and focused on the after life.

To Remember Egyptian culture based on maintenance. Pharaoh supreme in Old Kingdom Rise of priest reduced power of the pharaoh. After Middle Kingdoms, many invaders; only military pharaohs successful.