Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt

ancient Egypt Although one can define temporally the ancient Egypt as the period in the history of Egypt from the invention of the hieroglyphic writing at the end of the ancient concept that refers specifically to the civilization that lived on the banks of the Nile during this period of almost four thousand years of history. The Egyptian collection of tribes who created the first Pharaonic empire until its collapse at the beginning of the Christian era, ancient Egypt has witnessed major events that have profoundly influenced the culture of a large part of peoples the Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.


It is the late Neolithic tribes that are starting to come together in the fertile Nile Valley, leading to the formation of two kingdoms politically distinct but closely linked by a common culture Upper Egypt south, and Lower Egypt to the north (the Nile flows from south to north, from which these names). The tradition attributes to the southern kingdom of the unification of the country (which becomes the first state in the world) and the establishment of the first Pharaonic (by the pharaoh Narmer, many experts believe). Dividing the history of Egypt in large periods and thirty-one dynasties is inherited from the priest-historian THIRD CENTURY BC. AD, although the Egyptians were not earlier this distinction the monarchy for them was continuing.


Pre-dynastic period so-called kings of the North. The stone Palermo mentions ten kings bearing the double crown, a symbol of the Upper and Lower Egypt met, but without their names.

* Thinite period the first Pharaonic dynasties (This capital, near 'Abydos)
* Former Empire regarded by the ancient Egyptians themselves as the Golden Age of their civilization with, among other things, construction of the largest pyramids.
* I RE interim period period of political instability and fragmentation of the country into two rival kingdoms.
* Middle Kingdom boom, stable and high artistic activity.
* SECOND period period of serious unrest, the country's occupation by the Hyksos, liberation of the country by Ahmose.
* New Empire the most prosperous period in the history of Egypt, has a cultural and artistic revival whose peak is reached with the EIGHTEENTH AND nineteenth dynasties, but the era of Thutmose of Amenhotep ( Greek Aménophis) and Ramessides (including Ramesses II).

* THIRD period period of civil war, kings priests, Libyan and Ethiopian domination (Kingdom of Kush), Assyrian invasion.
* Low era dynasty knows, Persian occupation, recent dynasties and indigenous domination Hellenistic (Alexander, the Ptolemies). The end of ancient Egyptian history varies depending on the viewpoint adopted. It concludes
* from an ethnological, the death of Aboriginal last pharaoh, Nectanebo II -343;
* a political point of view, the death of the last independent sovereign
* a cultural point of view, when converting the last temple Egyptian Coptic church, the temple of Isis at Philae in 535 (closure 551). History summary


The Pharaonic Egypt during its 3000 years of history is not a matter of geographical boundaries. In this respect she experienced many situations with first Nubia then extending to the Mediterranean before being reduced in general during the Late Period. Yet one can not deny that some characters are inseparable from geographical identity of Egypt and the Nile has shaped the way of life and civilization of Egypt.


One can observe rather than broad principles are maintained throughout the history of Egypt. There has always been a strong central power in the person of Pharaoh. When it became low on attending to crises like the first interim period to the death of Pepi II rife multiple families. The system where all powers were held by the Pharaoh changed. It is complex in a large hotel. Under Senusret III, the function of vizier was split to ensure better management. But throughout this pharaonic time the institution was maintained even when foreign rulers. This in effect gave legitimacy to the government.


It is no coincidence that the Hyksos, Persians, Alexander the Great and his generals did appoint Greek pharaoh. The fact follow the ancient custom gave them legitimacy compared to Egyptians. The same idea applies to all dynasties from Egypt, according to Pharaoh refers to a dominant symbol. Indeed dynasties are not followed by descent. The state of pharaoh known to reduce this gap family. Thus Ramses I, before being crowned was a general and viceroy. But perhaps this unit in the design of power would not have lasted as much if the function of Pharaoh did not refer to a spiritual ideal. The pharaoh is a link between the earthly and the divine. Its function is not limited in time, it is the first priest of Egypt. Of course, historically, it is not so simple. So you could see the break during amarnienne or the gradual assumption of power over the centuries the clergy of Amun. But for the Pharaohs with real power, their functions were the guardians of the divine. Again this is a kind of legitimacy



The daily life of ancient Egyptians is relatively well known compared to that of other ancient civilizations. Egyptian society was very hierarchical and there were great disparities between the lives of peasants, representing the vast majority of Egyptians living in a state of near serfdom, and the nobility and haute bourgeoisie. That's life of the privileged who is best known because it has left the most evidence, including the pharaohs and other important dignitaries.


Geography The geography of ancient Egypt, a climatic point of view is quite close to that of the contemporary Egypt. Egypt is a country in the semi-desert which only the fertile strip on either side of the Nile Delta and a few scattered oases, are fit for human settlement. The rest is covered by the Desert in the west, the Arabian desert to the east and the Sinai to the north-east. Borders traditional of ancient Egypt are quite similar to the borders of modern Egypt. Thus, in the Old Empire, the country is bounded on the north by the Mediterranean, south of the first cataract of the Nile, west of the Desert and east by the desert of Nubia, the Red Sea and the Gaza region. People The origin of the first Egyptian debate, many theories have been advanced in this regard (Eastern sub-Saharan Africa, etc.)