Characteristics of Egyptian Civilization • Centralized political authority embodied in the absolute ruler the pharaoh in Egypt and the person of the King in the region of Kush (Nubia) • Imperialist expansion in the second millennium B.C.E. as the Egyptian army pushed into Palestine, Syria, and north Africa and south into Nubia and as the Kushites later conquered Egypt and expanded their influence to the south • Highly stratified and patriarchal societies based on an agricultural economy • Development of industries, transportation, and trade networks that facilitated economic growth and the intermingling of cultural traditions • Writing systems: hieroglyphic, hieratic, demotic, and Coptic scripts in Egypt and the yet-to-be-translated Meroitic inscriptions in Nubia • Organized religious traditions that include worship of Amon and Re, sun gods, the cult of Osiris, pyramid building, and in Egypt, mummification of the dead Classification of Egyptian History Period Dates Significant Events Archaic: 3100-2600 BC Unification of Egypt Old Kingdom 2660-2180 BC Construction of the pyramids First Intermediate 2180-2080 BC Political Chaos Middle Kingdom 2080-1640 BC Recovery and Political Stability Second Intermediate 1640-1570 BC Invasion of the Hyskos New Kingdom 1570-1075 BC Creation of an Egyptian Empire, King Tut/Religious Chaos. Final Decline 1075-626 BC Invasion of numerous groups, crushed by Assyrians. The Natural Setting The Nile Black and Red Land Egypt: The Natural Setting Center of Egyptian Civilization • Location • Nile • Climate The early kingdoms of Menes • • • • • Two original kingdoms 3100 BC Capital The 1st dynasty (of 32) Shrouded in Mystery Archaic Period 3100-2660 BCE • • • • • Earliest hieroglyphics Foundation of the Egyptian State Creation of Memphis Contact with people outside the region Step pyramids are built The Old Kingdom: • • • • • • • 2580-2190 BC Pharaoh as leaders Absolutism of Pharaoh Religion Government The age of the pyramids Governmental structure: An Age of Pyramids: Zoser Decline of the Old Kingdom • The first Intermediate Period-(2190-2025 BC) • Huge costs of the vast pyramids • Low Floods • Rise in power of the priests at Re • Split of the Egyptian state (MemphisNorth, Thebes-South) Egyptian Religion: • • • • Religion centered around Pharaoh Polytheistic Creation story Pyramids Hierarchy of Gods: Egypt • Ra: Sun God (Amon Re) – Daughter of Ra: Maat: Goddess of Justice • Isis: Goddess of Love and Creation • Married to OSIRIS: death, Nile, creation – Son: Horus (Pharaoh, human incarnation) Falcon god Decline of the Old Kingdom: The 1st intermediate period • Natural Factors • Class system • Power of pharaohs weakened The construction of Pyramids: • Shrouded in mystery • Theories • History Channel Video The Middle Kingdom: • • • • • 2052-1778 BC Reunification by Mentuhotep Conquest of Nubia Achievements Reign of the Hyksos  Politics: the absolutism of the Old Kingdom comes to an end. • Pharaohs portrayed it as a Golden Age. • Goal benevolent rule for all. Pharaoh characterized himself as a shepherd to his people. • Nomes (districts) were clarified and taxes spelled out.  “He who created me as one who should do that which he had done, and to carry out that which he commanded should be done. He appointed me herdsman of this land, for he knew who would keep it in order for him” Pharaoh Nobles and Priests Merchants and Artisans Farmers and Laborers  Osiris becomes a more prominent figure.  Osiris cult had the effect (Book of the Dead) of “democratizing” Egypt.  Bronze  Chariots  Desire for new territories to create “buffer zones” The Second Intermediate Period: • Decline of Middle Kingdom • Hyksos • Division The New Kingdom: • 1570-1085 BC • Pharaohs take on a more militaristic approach • Thutmoses III’s chip on his shoulder! • Monotheism and Amenhotep Dominant rulers of the New Kingdom: • 18th dynasty-greatest string of rulers in Egyptian history: – Thutmose II (Useless) – Hathesput: – Thutmose III – Amenhotep IV – Ramses the Great Hathesput: 1st female ruler Akhenaton: divine revolutionary • • • • Amenhotep IV: Akhen???? Monotheistic? Priests at Amon, a burden of all of Egyptian history Akhenaton: • Role in history Montheism  Amun surges in importance.  After Akhenaton the god saw 2/3 of all temples in Egypt.  Husband was allowed to keep more than 1 wife if she didn’t bare him a child.  Patriarchal, queens were strong and women did serve as Pharaohs.  Women kept their property even in marriage. The era and Legacy of King Tut: • Tutankhamen: • Howard Carter’s excavation Transformation of beliefs: • Tut’s real legacy • Reason for reverence? The riches and legacy : • Field Museum, Chicago • Best example for mummification • Mummification? The age of Ramses: • Egypt’s best? • Arrogant • Beginning of the end The Final Declination: • 1085-525 BC • Causes • Egyptian Society and class structure Legacy and Achievements of Ancient Egypt: • • • • • • • • Writing Papyrus Engineering Architecture Mathematics Astronmy Solar Year Medicine Egyptian Mysteries: • • • • • • Sphinx Rosetta Stone Tombs Mummification Pyramids Valley of the dead Later Dynasties: • • • • Persian Greek/Hellenistic Age of Alexander Roman