Ancient Egyptian Civilization

Overview

• Lasted over 3,000 years
• Powerful and iconic
• Empire stretched from modern-day Syria to Sudan
• Initially consisted of small independent city-states along the Nile River

Unification and Dynasties

• Divided into Upper Egypt (South, upstream) and Lower Egypt (North, downstream)
• United around 3100 BC into one Egyptian state
• Divided into three major periods: Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms
• Two periods of instability: First and Second Intermediate Periods

Pharaohs

• About 300 rulers referred to as pharaohs
• "Pharaoh" means great house
• Served as divine liaisons between humanity and gods
• Considered protectors and became gods after death

Afterlife Beliefs

• Elaborate tombs built, such as Great Pyramids at Giza and Valley of the Kings
• Tombs filled with items for afterlife: gold, jewelry, food, drink, pets
• Mummification: embalming, wrapping in linen, placed in tomb for afterlife

Innovations and Achievements

• Mathematics: Measurement mathematics including cubits
• Precision in architecture, e.g., Great Pyramid
• Developed time measurement: 24-hour day, 365-day solar calendar
• Surveying for construction: dams, canals, irrigation systems

Written Language

• Hieroglyphic writing: over 700 pictorial characters for decorative purposes
• Hieratic writing: cursive, functional, written on papyrus
• Papyrus: paper derived from the papyrus plant

Decline

• Conquered by Persian Empire (4th century BC) and Roman Empire (30 BC)
• Cultural contributions still resonate today

Legacy

• Set high standards for future civilizations
• Contributions in linguistics, mathematics, religion, and political/military might