World History Encyclopedia

Ancient Egypt

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Ancient Egypt map

Ancient Egypt was a civilization of ancient Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in the place that is now the country Egypt. Ancient Egyptian civilization followed prehistoric Egypt and coalesced around 3100 BC (according to conventional Egyptian chronology) with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under Menes (often identified with Narmer). The history of ancient Egypt occurred as a series of stable kingdoms, separated by periods of relative instability known as Intermediate Periods: the Old Kingdom of the Early Bronze Age, the Middle Kingdom of the Middle Bronze Age and the New Kingdom of the Late Bronze Age.

Egypt reached the pinnacle of its power in the New Kingdom, ruling much of Nubia and a sizable portion of the Near East, after which it entered a period of slow decline. During the course of its history, Egypt was invaded or conquered by a number of foreign powers, including the Hyksos, the Libyans, the Nubians, the Assyrians, the Achaemenid Persians, and the Macedonians under Alexander the Great. The Greek Ptolemaic Kingdom, formed in the aftermath of Alexander's death, ruled Egypt until 30 BC, when, under Cleopatra, it fell to the Roman Empire and became a Roman province.

The success of ancient Egyptian civilization came partly from its ability to adapt to the conditions of the Nile River valley for agriculture. The predictable flooding and controlled irrigation of the fertile valley produced surplus crops, which supported a more dense population, and social development and culture. With resources to spare, the administration sponsored mineral exploitation of the valley and surrounding desert regions, the early development of an independent writing system, trade with surrounding regions, and a military intended to assert Egyptian dominance.

Egyptian civilization left a lasting legacy. Its art and architecture were widely copied, and its antiquities carried off to far corners of the world. Its monumental ruins have inspired the imaginations of travelers and writers for centuries. Its religious beliefs and practices influenced those of later cultures, and its hieroglyphic writing system was the first true writing system in the world.

Government

The government of ancient Egypt was a monarchy, with the king, or pharaoh, at the top. The pharaoh was believed to be a god, and he had absolute power over the people. He was responsible for making laws, declaring war, and overseeing the government. The pharaoh was also the head of the Egyptian religion.

The pharaoh was assisted by a bureaucracy, which was made up of officials who oversaw the different aspects of government. The bureaucracy was divided into two main groups: the civil service, which was responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the country, and the military, which was responsible for defending Egypt from its enemies.

Society

Ancient Egyptian society was divided into three main classes: the pharaoh, the nobility, and the common people. The pharaoh and the nobility made up a small percentage of the population, while the common people made up the majority.

The pharaoh and the nobility lived in luxury, while the common people lived a much simpler life. The common people worked in agriculture, trade, or the military. They lived in small villages or towns, and they were not allowed to own land.

Religion

The religion of ancient Egypt was polytheistic, which means that it worshipped many gods. The most important gods were the sun god Ra, the god of the sky Horus, the god of the underworld Osiris, and the goddess of fertility Isis.

The Egyptians believed that the gods controlled the world, and they prayed to them for help and protection. They also built temples to the gods, where they could offer sacrifices and pray.

Culture

Ancient Egyptian culture was rich and diverse. The Egyptians excelled in art, architecture, literature, and mathematics. They also made important contributions to medicine and astronomy.

Egyptian art was characterized by its realism and its use of symbolism. Egyptian architecture was known for its monumental pyramids and temples. Egyptian literature included myths, epics, and love songs. Egyptian mathematics was the most advanced in the world at the time. Egyptian medicine was based on the belief that the body was made up of four humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Egyptian astronomy was used to predict the flooding of the Nile River and to plan the construction of temples and pyramids.

Legacy

The legacy of ancient Egypt is vast and far-reaching. The Egyptians left behind a rich cultural heritage that has influenced civilizations around the world. Their art, architecture, literature, and mathematics are still studied and admired today. Their contributions to medicine and astronomy have helped to shape modern science. And their belief in a complex afterlife has fascinated people for centuries.