1. Egypt

2. Foundations Evidence: graves, mummies, inscriptions, paintings About: individuals, events, social structures, religion, value system

3. Origins Cultural interaction, synthetic culture, influenced by Mesopotamia, Nubians, Phoenicians, Hebrews Settlements along river Nile since 4th millenium BC Reasons: climatic changes since 10000 BC, Sahara desiccates (dries out), migrations towards Nile region from Ethiopia, Sudan, also Mesopotamia Agriculture: relying on floodplains Formation of small city kingdoms

4. The Formation of Egypt From 3100 BC: beginning unification of Egypt 1st ruler: Menes/Narmer, expands control from Upper to Lower Egypt, divine ruler Following periods: Archaic Period (3100-2660 BC), Old Kingdom (2660-2160 BC), age of Pyramids Politics: tensions with Nubia, destruction of Ta-Seti kingdom, further south: Kingdom of Kush

5. Ancient Egypt

6. Further Developments 2160-2040 BC: years of turmoil, disintegration of Egypt due to growth of local powers 2040-1640 BC: reorganisation of Egypt, Middle Kingdom, under pressure by nomads (Hyksos), after 1640 BC foreign tribute supremacy 1550-1070: New Kingdom, expansion under Pharaoh Tutmosis III. (1479-1425 BC), after 1100 BC constant decline

7. Society Cities: Memphis, Thebes, Heliopolis (Nubian cities: Kerma, Napata, Meroe) Social classes: Pharaoh absolute divine ruler, no room for nobility, instead relative social mobility, evidenc: graves Gender: patriarchal society, some female rulers (Hatshepsut, 1473-1458 BC) Economy: growing specialisation, esp. in metallurgy, trade mainly along Nile, trade centers: Aswan Writing: pictographic, hieroglyphes Religion: polytheistic, deities: e.g. Amon, Re, Osiris, exception: monotheistic Aten cult under Amenhotep IV. (1353-1335 BC)