Posted: January 14, 2015
Ancient Egypt
Geography
of Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians thought of Egypt as being
divided into two types of land, the 'black land' and the 'red land'. The 'black
land' was the fertile land on the banks of the Nile. The ancient Egyptians used
this land for growing their crops. This was the only land in ancient Egypt that
could be farmed because a layer of rich, black silt was deposited there every
year after the Nile flooded.
The 'red land' was the barren desert that protected
Egypt on two sides. These deserts separated ancient Egypt from neighboring
countries and invading armies. They also provided the ancient Egyptians with a
source for precious metals and semi-precious stones.
Look at this map and notice where the cities in
ancient Egypt were located. Ancient Egyptian civilization developed in the
delta and valley regions of the Nile River, isolated and protected by vast
deserts on either side.
This fertile strip along the Nile was never more
than 12 miles wide. Rich agricultural and mineral resources along with
protection provided by the desert allowed a long-lasting civilization to
develop in Egypt.
Ancient
Egypt: Pre Dynastic Period (3100 BCE - 2650 BCE)
The first and earliest portion of ancient Egyptian
civilization was called the Pre dynastic period, when the separate kingdoms
Upper and Lower Egypt were united for the first time. The late Neolithic period
in Egypt began in the sixth millennium (6000 BCE),
and ended with the unification of Egypt in 3100 BCE,
which marked the start of the historical Pre dynastic period in Egypt.
Memphis becomes the capital of the united Egypt, the
first nation state in the world. Hieroglyphics are developed and irrigation
systems are first developed. The inhabitants of Egypt first lived in
settlements during the Pre dynastic period. Cemeteries were located in the low
desert near the settlements. Finds from settlements and cemeteries suggest that
the north and south of the country were culturally distinct. The burials of
this time were simple pit graves, in which the dead person was laid in a crouched position. The bodies were
naturally dried by the hot sand. In later burials, the bodies were sometimes
wrapped in mats. Sometimes the person's head and limbs were bound with cloth.
The objects placed in burials, such as items of jewellery, slate palettes and
pots are the main sources of information about this time.
Ancient
Egypt – Old Kingdom (2650 BCE
– 2134 BCE)
While the unification of Egypt was the single most
important event in Egyptian history, it was a long and drawn-out affair.
Although Narmer is credited with unifying the country, all the kings of the
first two dynasties had to fight constant wars against considerable opponents all
along the Nile. Egypt had, meanwhile, prospered and grown beyond everyone's
wildest dreams. Agricultural production
had been revolutionized by the building of massive irrigation projects;
trade had ballooned to super-human proportions; the population had grown large.
Suddenly Egypt found itself wealthy; the
country literally exploded with creativity for the next several generations.
This period, the Old Kingdom, was
the richest and most creative period in Egyptian history. All the pyramids
were built at this time; the growth in population and wealth allowed the kings
to dedicate vast amounts of labor and materials to these monuments to
themselves.
Pharaohs are seen as living gods at this time and
Egypt is divided into provinces, with each headed by a governor. During this
time Memphis falls into neglect and hieroglyphics improve. During this time the
Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the Great Pyramid at Giza were both built. It was also
during this time that government began to regulate farming and trade.
Ancient
Egypt – Middle Kingdom (2040 BCE
– 1640 BCE)
The Middle Kingdom is the period in the history of
Ancient Egypt stretching from the establishment of the 11th Dynasty to the end
of the 14th Dynasty, although some historians include the 13th and 14th dynasties
in a later period. The period comprises two phases, the 11th Dynasty, which
ruled from Thebes and the 12th Dynasty onwards which was centered around
el-Lisht.
During this time pharaohs are threatened by the
independence of local governers. Luxor (which would later become Thebes) gains
prominence. Luxor has frequently been
characterized as the "world's greatest open air museum", as the ruins
of the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor stand within the modern city.
At this time Egypt recruits a standing army as Asians seize control of the
delta region.
Foreign culture influences increase when trade is
promoted with Palestine and Syria and renewed interests in learning take place,
which allows literature to flourish and workshops begin to produce fine
crafts. At this time horse drawn
chariots, copper arrowheads and daggers, curved-blade swords, and compound bow
first appeared.
Ancient
Egypt – New Kingdom (1550 BCE
– 1070 BCE)
The New Kingdom includes the 18th, 19th and 20th
Dynasties. This family began a period of
unprecedented success in international affairs for Egypt. There was a
succession of extraordinary and able kings and queens who laid the foundations
of a strong Egypt and a prosperous economy.
During this era you had the magnificent Amenhotep III, so began an artistic revolution. Nefertiti began a religious revolution -
the concept of one god. Finally there was Tutankhamen (King Tut) who is
famous in our modern age.
During the 19th Dynasty Seti I's reign was a time of
considerable prosperity. He restored countless monuments. His temple at Abydos
exhibits some of the finest carved wall reliefs.
His son Rameses II is the major figure of the dynasty and rules as the empire
of Egypt begins to crumble under pressure from Hittites. During this time the
Hittites had become a dominant Asiatic power. An uneasy balance of power
developed between the two kingdoms, which was punctuated by wars and treaties.
Hatshepsut
becomes a powerful female pharaoh (1479 BCE – 1457 BCE).
She also promotes the arts in Egypt. Tutankhamen also restores the old religion
of Egypt.
Ancient
Egypt – Late Dynastic Period (1070 BCE – 332 BCE)
During this period a struggle for royal power sets
in among priests and nobles in Egypt. At this time the region would see the
Persian dominance in Egypt in 525 BCE.
The Late Dynastic Period starts with the Assyrian conquest of
Thebes in 664, and Egypt became an Assyrian province. A new capital was
established in the north. This would be the last great period referred to as
Pharonic Period. Although a province
subject to a foreign state, it was still marked by cultural and technological
advances. The canal built between the Nile and the Red Sea is an indicator of
this.
A second period starts
with the Persian
invasion in 525. A period of 150 years of Persian influence and weak rulers.
Ancient
Egypt – Greek Period (332 BCE
– 48 BCE)
Alexander the Great of Macedonia takes control of
Egypt in 332 BCE. The Ptolemaic Period starts with the fall of
the Persian Empire to Alexander the Great in 332. Before his death 9 years
later, Alexander had divided his empire between his Macedonian generals. Alexandria becomes the most brilliant
metropolis of the Greek speaking world. Ptolemy became the ruler of Egypt, and
this would mean that Egypt regained its independence. Cleopatra VII becomes the last Ptolemy to rule Egypt in 51 BCE.
Ancient
Egypt – Roman Period (48 BCE
– 395 CE)
The Roman Period starts with the military defeat to
Rome at the Battle of Actium. Cleopatra VII
forms an alliance with Julius Caesar in 48BCE. Egypt now became a Roman province, but
Egyptian culture would survive. The temples at Dendera and Esna belong to this
period. In the 1st century CE,
Christianity was introduced to Egypt, and would come to replace Ancient
Egyptian religion, although the latter would have permanent influence on
Christianity.
Cleopatra VII
forms an alliance with Mark Anthony in 41 BCE,
but Mark Anthony is defeated by Octavian at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE.
Cleopatra VII is believed
to have committed suicide in 30 BCE. From this point on Egypt is ruled as
territory of the Roman Empire.
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