Egypt – Land of the Nile

Like Mesopotamia…

• Three Main Time Periods– Old Kingdom (– Middle Kingdom– New Kingdom

Predynastic Egypt

• Much like early Sumer, Egypt was a collection of small towns and villages vying for power.

• By 3400 BCE two kingdoms developed – the Red Land in the northern Nile delta and the White Land in the south.

• After failed conquest by southern king, Scorpion, Menes eventually unified two kingdoms.

• Fortified the tradition of a King / Pharaoh system.

Old Kingdom (2686 BCE – 2181 BCE)

• Dynastic Cycles Start – 3rd to 6th Dynasties• The great pyramid builders in this time.• First one for King Djoser in Saqqra, built by the great

architect, priest and healer Imhotep.• First pyramid a step pyramid.• Third and Fourth Dynasties a golden age of building,

economics, invention, and conquest.• King Unas aka Wenas - had the burial chamber in his

pyramid inscribed with spells for the afterlife and the cult of Osiris. These are referred to as the Pyramid Texts - later used and adapted to become the basis of the Book of the Dead

Egyptian Book of the Dead

• Intended to provide spells and instructions for safe passage to the afterlife for Egyptians.

• Originally written by scribe named Ani in 5th dynasty.• Pharaohs buried with the papyrus scrolls, often times

specialized to them.• The Egyptian Book of the Dead was therefore a set of

instructions, prayers and helpful spells to assist in the journey through the Underworld to the Afterlife.

• The dangers of the underworld included a variety of obstacles including fearful beasts, various traps, demons and a long series of tests.

End of Old Kingdom

• After years of overspending on building projects like Pyramids, 6th dynasty Pharaohs were broke.

• After Pepy II died, country went into chaos partially caused by priests obsession with god Ra.

Middle Kingdom• Starting with 12th Dynasty and ending with it.• Dominated by conflict with Nubia.• Amenemhet I began dynasty by invading Nubia

and conquering the majority of the area.• Spent rest of the dynasty creating connections

with the Syrians and Palestinians. Pushed out the Bedouins.

• Built forts and mines all along Upper Egypt and into Nubia. Faced constant revolts by Nubians.

• Ended with Hyksos raiders conquering Egypt and teaching them about the chariot.

Who was Nubia?• Nubians were a group

south of Egypt, although at various times intertwined and became Egypt.

• Egyptian Pharaohs during 12th Dynasty often had Nubian connections.

• Nubians darker than Egyptians, look more traditionally African.

• Culture very similar to Egyptian – often sending tribute up the river.

New Kingdom (18th-20th Dynasty)

• After Hyksos were driven out by Nubians, Egypt reformed.

• New Kingdom Features some of the most famous Pharaohs– Hatshepsut– Akhenaten– Tutankhamun– Tuthmose– Ramses II

Famous Pharaohs…• Hatshepsut – most powerful female pharaoh –

ruled as regent for son Thutmose III (eventual military hero)– Expanded trade with the land of Punt– Used profits for great building projects – Temple of

Pakhet, Unifinished Obelisks, Karnaks Red Chapel, and immense Mortuary Temple

– Changed all images of herself to look like a man for posterity.

– Son Thutmose III intentionally tried to eliminate her from record.

Famous Pharaohs• Akhenaten• Abandoned traditional polytheism and focused on one

monotheistic god – Aten.• Caused huge problems in Egypt – moved capital to newly

created city and abandoned Thebes.• Wife Nefertiti was considered almost a co-regent with her

husband – famous for beauty.• Tutankhamun• Originally named Tutankhaten – which meant living image of

Aten.• Shamed by fathers attempts to change religion, he instituted

return to Amen Ra, therefore name change.• Also returned capital to Thebes – traditional Amon capital.• Only reigned for about 9 years – died possibly of syphilis.• DNA revealed he was Akhenaten’s son and that his sister was

more than likely his wife.• Tomb discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter – find of century.

End of New Kingdom

• Ended when the Nubians invade to bring back balance to religions

Valley of Kings

• Video Clip• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrRpz-

dnny4

Egyptian Religious Practices

• Polytheistic• Religion included divination, talking to dead,

oracles, and magic.• Focus of the religion was relationship between

Gods and Pharaoh• Pharaoh both a deity in waiting and a man.• Importance of afterlife important – Pharaoh

to connect people to afterlife.

Maat

• Concept of order very important in society.• Pharaoh intended to establish order in

society, religion, and afterlife.• This role of maat in human life created a

continuity between religion, political action, and elite morality.

Anubis testing the heart of a person against the feather of Ma’at. If it was

too heavy Ammit, the destroyer, ate it.

• Red Crown – Lower Egypt• White Crown – Upper Egypt

Key Egyptian Gods• Ra- Sun God, most important God in early

Kingdoms• Osiris – God of the underworld.• Isis – Gained cult like status. Goddess of healing

and curing the sick. Assisted dead kings.• Geb – Earth god • Nut – Sky goddess• Seth – Desert God – brother of Osiris and Isis• Anubis – God of embalming and death.• Horus – God of the Pharaohs.

Egyptian Army• Conservative but effective.• Adapted other armies technology, especially chariots

from the Hyksos.• Military forts up and down the Nile River.• Early period of Old and Middle Kingdom, not very

impressive.• New Kingdom – elite rich guard takes over as chariot

rider (state owned chariots)– Used bronze khopesh swords– Composite bows– Scale armor used– Axes introduced

• Egyptians fell as a power after the attack of “Sea Peoples” at end of New Kingdom

Key Architectural / Technological Achievements

• Pyramids• Catacomb burials (Valley of Kings)• Obelisks• Extensive City Structures• Papyrus• Sailboat• Calendar based upon floods (365 days)• First Toothbrushes