Egyptian Civilization and Dynasties

Ancient Egyptian Civilization Overview

• Ancient Egypt, famous for its civilization situated along the Nile River.

• Dominates popular consciousness even today, characterized by its tiny strip of land (a couple of miles on either side of the Nile).

  • The Nile provided fertile land, transportation, and a natural defense, crucial for the civilization's longevity.

• Egypt's history is marked by significant periods defined by dynasties and their evolution, primarily categorized by the Egyptian scholar Manetho, who devised a timeline in the 300s BC.

Historical Periodization

• Ancient Egypt's history is divided into major kingdoms and periods, notably:

  • Old Kingdom:

  • Characterized by monumental architecture, such as pyramids.

  • Era of centralized government and powerful pharaohs.

  • First Intermediate Period:

  • A 200-year civil war leading up to the Middle Kingdom, signifying the division of Upper and Lower Egypt.

  • Marked by political fragmentation and decentralization.

  • Decline in central authority and rise of regional nomarchs (governors).

  • Middle Kingdom:

  • Era discussed, defined by political stability following reunification, but lacking the grand projects of the Old Kingdom.

  • Flourishing of literature and arts.

  • Expansion south into Nubia.

  • New Kingdom:

  • Following the liberation from the Hyksos and reflecting expansionist policies.

  • Period of imperial power and wealth.

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt

• The unity of Upper and Lower Egypt is a critical theme in Egyptian history.

  • Upper Egypt:

  • The southern part of Egypt, where many important cities like Thebes are located.

  • Lower Egypt:

  • The northern part, crucial for trade and agriculture, includes the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coast.

• Stability between the two regions is marked by political and cultural unity, while division results in conflicts, such as the civil wars of the intermediate periods.

First Intermediate Period

• Occurred before the Middle Kingdom.

• Characteristic of civil war and disunity within Egypt for approximately 200 years.

• Pharaohs claimed control from different regions, causing a power struggle that ultimately led to a new ruler emerging from Upper Egypt.

Introduction of the Hyksos

• Around 1700 BC, during the Middle Kingdom, the Hyksos, Semitic pastoralists from Northern Arabia, invaded and took control of Lower Egypt.

  • They conquered important regions such as Memphis and Giza.

  • Introduced new military technologies to Egypt:

  • The composite bow, which had greater range and power than traditional Egyptian bows.

  • The horse-drawn chariot, revolutionizing warfare and transportation.

• The Upper Egypt region managed to survive by paying bribes to the Hyksos to prevent invasions.

• The Hyksos occupation symbolizes a dark period in Egyptian history, a humiliation for a civilization previously dominant for centuries.

New Kingdom Era

• Around 1550 BC, Upper Egypt retaliated and expelled the Hyksos, leading to what is known as the New Kingdom.

• The New Kingdom represents a period of conquest and territorial expansion beyond the Nile River.

External Focus and Expansion

• The New Kingdom sees Egypt looking beyond the Nile Valley due to threats from outside invaders.

• New policies were established where, instead of waiting for attacks, Egypt began to engage in trade and conquests to consolidate power and resources.

  • Established a buffer zone in the Levant and Nubia to protect its borders.

  • Engaged in extensive trade networks, acquiring luxury goods and strategic resources.

• Pharaohs during this era no longer focused on pyramid construction but upon creating lasting monuments to their glory in the form of obelisks (Egyptian Tekkenu, meaning "to pierce").

  • Obelisks serve as propaganda pieces, glorifying the accomplishments of pharaohs and ensuring their legacy for the future.

Obelisk Construction

• Made from a single block of stone, often topped with hieroglyphics detailing pharaoh achievements.

• Notable obelisks often became trophies for conquering powers, finding their way to cities across Europe and America, such as Cleopatra's Needle in New York City.

Hatshepsut’s Reign

• Hatshepsut, the wife of Thutmose II, assumed power after his death through a regency.

• She maneuvered to take on the title of pharaoh by dressing in male attire, establishing herself as a powerful ruler during the New Kingdom.

• Her reign was characterized by:

  • Prosperous trade expeditions, notably to the Land of Punt.

  • Monumental building projects (though not pyramids), including her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari.

  • Success in expanding Egypt's wealth and influence peacefully.

• Upon her death, her successor, Thutmose III, sought to erase her from history due to familial resentment and as a result, her achievements were obscured.

• Hatshepsut represents a complex intersection of gender, power, and legacy in ancient Egyptian history.

Thutmose III

• The son of Hatshepsut, he ascended to the throne following her death and harbored resentment towards his mother's rule.

  • Known as the "Napoleon of Egypt" for his military campaigns.

• His endeavors to erase Hatshepsut's legacy ultimately failed as archaeological discoveries later uncovered her contributions, leading to her recognition in history beyond her time.

Akhenaten’s Reign

• Akhenaten (formerly Amenhotep IV) initiated a radical religious reform by advocating for monotheism centered around Aten, the sun god.

• Transitioned Egyptian religion from a polytheistic belief system to worshiping Aten as the sole deity.

• Established a new capital city, Akhetaten (modern Amarna), distancing himself from traditional power centers to escape the entrenched religious elite.

• His policies and rule were contentious and faced pushback, but ultimately aimed at significant societal and religious transformation in Egypt.

  • The Amarna Period art style, characterized by a more naturalistic depiction of the royal family, emerged during his reign.

Legacy of Tutankhamun

• Tutankhamun, who succeeded Akhenaten, briefly restored the old worship systems and changed his name back to restore traditional religious alignments.

  • His tomb was discovered intact in 1922 by Howard Carter, leading to immense interest and boosting Egyptology.

• Though he ruled for a short time, his burial artifacts provided invaluable insight into ancient Egyptian culture and burial practices.

Ramses II (Ramses the Great)

• Ramses II ruled during the apex of the New Kingdom, celebrated for conquests, building projects, and lengthy reign (66 years).

• Known for monumental buildings, including famed statues and temples, solidifying Egypt

• Key achievements and characteristics:

  • Fought the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites, which is often considered the largest chariot battle in history.

  • Signed the world's first recorded peace treaty with the Hittites.

  • His burial places and construction feats, such as those in Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum, accentuated his legacy.

Conclusion

• By the early 1100s BC, Egypt experienced fragmentation, leading to divisions of power between various regional kingdoms with individual pharaohs.

• Egypt faced increasing foreign domination by groups such as the Assyrians, Persians, and eventually the Greeks and Romans, diminishing its status and autonomy.

• The eventual independence of Egypt in $$192