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For a basic outline see '''[[Ancient Egypt Simple Outline]]'''
[[File:Egypt_Pyramids_All_Gizah_Pyramids_sm_wiki.jpg|right|frame|Great Pyramids (wikipedia)]]
[[File:Egypt_Pyramids_All_Gizah_Pyramids_sm_wiki.jpg|right|frame|Great Pyramids (wikipedia)]]
'''Ancient Egypt'''
[[category:Ancient Egypt]]
[[category:World History]]
<pre>TODO:
* Herodotus descriptions, including
** crocodile hunting (catch them by putting mud in their eyes!)
** tamed crocodiles in temples in Fayum</pre>
See also:
* [[Ancient Egypt simple outline]]
* [[:Category:Ancient Egypt]]


'''Article Objective'''
'''Article Objective'''
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* this article may have inconsistent formatting
* this article may have inconsistent formatting
* this article may have inconsistent or variable use of tense
* this article may have inconsistent or variable use of tense
 
<br><br>
Wikipedia entry: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Ancient Egypt]
Wikipedia "simple English" entry: [http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Ancient Egypt]
 


==Notes & Objectives==
==Notes & Objectives==
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===Nile River===
===Nile River===
'''summary'''
==== Nile summary ====
* Nile Valley = ancient Egypt
* Nile Valley = ancient Egypt
* Egypt was accurately described by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus as "The Gift of the Nile"
* Egypt was accurately described by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus as "The Gift of the Nile"
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* Egypt = final 800 miles of the Nile as it runs northward to Mediterranean Sea
* Egypt = final 800 miles of the Nile as it runs northward to Mediterranean Sea
* longest river in the world: 4150 miles long!
* longest river in the world: 4150 miles long!
* Click EXPAND for [Nile River] characteristics and details:
==== Nile geographic characteristics and details ====
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
* flows north  
* flows north  
** flows into Mediterranean Sea
** flows into Mediterranean Sea
** Nile Delta formed as flood waters spread out over coastal lowlands at river mouth
** Nile Delta formed as flood waters spread out over coastal lowlands at river mouth
** the Egyptian words for "East" and "West" are the equivalent of "Right" and "Left"
*** only "left" and "right" when facing upstream (i.e., facing south)
*** so when facing upstream (south), East was to the right and West was to the left
*** this affirms the importance to the Ancient Egyptians of the Nile and its unknown origins
* Ancient Egyptians thought the Nile began somewhere south of the Cataracts (falls)
** from underground sources
* sources = Blue & White Nile:  
* sources = Blue & White Nile:  
** White Nile from tropical, Central Africa
** White Nile from tropical, Central Africa
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*** June monsoon rains in Ethiopia = floods that bring silt downstream
*** June monsoon rains in Ethiopia = floods that bring silt downstream
*** see Google Earth coordinates for Blue Nile source region >> todo
*** see Google Earth coordinates for Blue Nile source region >> todo
* Nile Flooding
==== Nile Flooding ====
** length of river = long, slow flooding season in Egypt
** length of river = long, slow flooding season in Egypt
** the Nile floods slowly:  
** the Nile floods slowly:  
*** 3 months to rise & fall (
*** 3 months to rise & fall
*** Egypt flood season = August to October
*** Egypt flood season = August to October
**** slowly rises in August
**** slowly rises in August
**** stays high September
**** stays high September
**** slowly recedes in October
**** slowly recedes in October
** Nile floods = predictable
==== characteristics of the Nile flooding ====
* Nile floods = predictable
** Nile floods = calm
** Nile floods = calm
** floods bring silt
** floods bring silt
** flood plains = farmland, but have to be re-organized every year
** flood plains = farmland, but have to be re-organized every year
** Nile process formed Egyptian seasons of three, 4 month cycles:
* Nile process formed Egyptian seasons of three, 4 month cycles:
*** ''Akhet'' = flooding
** ''Akhet'' = flooding
**** during flooding season, farmers were displaced and could serve as laborers for large projects such as pyramids and temples
*** during flooding season, farmers were displaced and could serve as laborers for large projects such as pyramids and temples
**** also during flooding season, shipment of stone and other goods by boat more extensive due to wider river flow
*** also during flooding season, shipment of stone and other goods by boat more extensive due to wider river flow
**** for example, location of the pyramids = just beyond the flood plain
*** for example, location of the pyramids = just beyond the flood plain
**** during high flood period, Nile depth = 25-33 ft deep and current was more rapid = quicker movement
*** during high flood period, Nile depth = 25-33 ft deep and current was more rapid = quicker movement
*** ''Peret'' = growing season
** ''Peret'' = growing season
*** ''Shemu'' = harvest season (no rain)
** ''Shemu'' = harvest season (no rain)
* periods of drought
==== appearance of the star Sirius marks flooding season ====
** larger climate patterns led to times of weakened river flow and less flooding
* the star, Sirius, announces the arrival off the floods
** = periods of famine & political upheaval
** also known as the "dog star"
** most important example = end of Old Kingdom and into the Middle Kingdom  
** brightest start in the night sky
* Fayoum Oasis & Lake Moeris  
** when Sirius appears on the horizon after disappearing during the winter (blocked from earth's view by the sun)
** a basin in the desert to the west of the Nile in the upper part of Upper Egypt  
** it marks the flooding season
** Nile floods fed the lake over time
*** note the Greeks called the summer months the "dog days" when Sirius appears
*** fed by the Nile and eventually connected to the Nile by Middle Kingdom pharaohs who improved irrigation in response to low flooding
==== periods of drought ====
*** Middle Kingdom c. 2300 BC the lake was widened and the canal connecting it to the Nile deepened
* larger climate patterns led to times of weakened river flow and less flooding
*** the lake served as reservoir for dry periods
* = periods of famine & political upheaval
** Egypt's most important oasis  
* most important example = end of Old Kingdom and into the Middle Kingdom  
** principal Neolithic site (early agriculture)
==== Fayoum Oasis & Lake Moeris ====
*** has archeological evidence of earliest farming in Egypt
* a basin in the desert to the west of the Nile in the upper part of Upper Egypt  
* Nile floods fed the lake over time
** fed by the Nile and eventually connected to the Nile by Middle Kingdom pharaohs who improved irrigation in response to low flooding
** Middle Kingdom c. 2300 BC the lake was widened and the canal connecting it to the Nile deepened
** the lake served as reservoir for dry periods
* Egypt's most important oasis  
* principal Neolithic site (early agriculture)
** has archeological evidence of earliest farming in Egypt
** site of the city Crocodilopolis (Greek name) or "Faiyum" (Arabic name)  
** site of the city Crocodilopolis (Greek name) or "Faiyum" (Arabic name)  
** oases and water sources plenty by digging wells in lowlands alongside the Nile
** oases and water sources plenty by digging wells in lowlands alongside the Nile
*** see [http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/fayoumhistory.htm by The History of the Fayoum Oasis] by Jimmy Dunn, TourEgypt.net
*** see [http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/fayoumhistory.htm by The History of the Fayoum Oasis] by Jimmy Dunn, TourEgypt.net
* Aswan Dam  
==== Aswan Dam ====
** completed in 1970, built to control flooding
* completed in 1970, built to control flooding
** located at "first cataract" >> = the northernmost waterfall
* located at "first cataract" >> = the northernmost waterfall
* sources:
==== sources ====
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Nile Nile River wikipedia article]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Nile Nile River wikipedia article]
** [http://www.touregypt.net/egypt-info/magazine-mag05012001-magf4a.htm The Nile River by Marie Parsons, Touregypt.net]
* [http://www.touregypt.net/egypt-info/magazine-mag05012001-magf4a.htm The Nile River by Marie Parsons, Touregypt.net]
** [https://news.psu.edu/story/140715/2002/09/01/research/waters-nile The Waters of the Nile, PennState Online] - article about archaeological work at Hierakonpolis with information about the water table at the dig site
* [https://news.psu.edu/story/140715/2002/09/01/research/waters-nile The Waters of the Nile, PennState Online] - article about archaeological work at Hierakonpolis with information about the water table at the dig site
</div>


===Isolation===
===Isolation===
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** [http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Nile_Delta Nile Delta]
** [http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Nile_Delta Nile Delta]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_Delta Nile Delta wikipedia]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_Delta Nile Delta wikipedia]
</div>


== Menes, Narmer & 1st Unification of Egypt ==
== Menes, Narmer & 1st Unification of Egypt ==
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==Old Kingdom==
==Old Kingdom==
[[File:Abhandlungen der Königlich Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften aus dem Jahre (1902) (16765759871).jpg|thumb|The Palermo Stone, the fragment of the Egyptian Royal Annals housed in Palermo, Italy.]]
* consist of the 3rd through 6th "dynasties"
* consist of the 3rd through 6th "dynasties"
* distinguished from Archaic period by large-scale, centrally-controlled building projects
* distinguished from Archaic period by large-scale, centrally-controlled building projects
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** capital at Memphis
** capital at Memphis
** complex bureaucracy organized with [[vizier]] at head of government under pharaoh
** complex bureaucracy organized with [[vizier]] at head of government under pharaoh
*** see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imhotep Imhotep (wikipedia) for strong, genius vizier under Djoser (3rd  dynasty)
* '''Palermo stone'''
** named for Palermo, Italy, where it resides
** from an Old Kingdom stone, or "stele" (a stone with writing engraved on it)
*** which lists Old Kingdom and pre-Old Kingdom dynasties and kings
*** various "fragments" exist and are stored at different museums
*** known collectively as the "Cairo Annals Stone"
** the Palermo Stone lists mythological origin kings of Egypt and early Old Kingdom kings and dynasties
*** it serves as a unique contemporaneous (from that time) historical evidence of the pre-dynastic and Old Kingdom Egypt
* other historical sources include:
** Manetho's chronology: c. 300 BC Greek or Egyptian priest who recorded a list, or "Annals", of Egyptian kings
** Royal Tablet of Karnack: lists Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty
** Royal Tablet of Sakara: lists 58 kings from "Meibis" to Ramses the Great
** Royal List of Abydos: from the Temple of Sethos
*** shows Ramses II and Sethos I paying homage to their ancestors
*** and lists 76 names of prior kings
*** the list does not give dates but creates a reference of names
** other sources are from individual engravings, steles, temples, etc. that list kings, dynasties, events, and years between them
*** << to move this to its own section
*** from "Gods, Graves and Scholars", p. 123-124
* see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imhotep Imhotep (wikipedia) for strong, genius vizier under Djoser (3rd  dynasty)


===Pharaoh as supreme leader===
===Pharaoh as supreme leader===
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* followed by unrelated rulers (13th & 14th dynasties; power exchanged, fought over)
* followed by unrelated rulers (13th & 14th dynasties; power exchanged, fought over)
** Hyksos invasion -- migration, settlement (conquest?) of Nile Delta leads to final collapse of 13th dynasty and the Middle Kingdom
** Hyksos invasion -- migration, settlement (conquest?) of Nile Delta leads to final collapse of 13th dynasty and the Middle Kingdom
* Thera explosion is documented in the "Tempest Stele" (tempest means "storm"; "stele" is an upright stone monument))
** erected by the first New Kingdom Pharaoh, Amhose I, in 1550
** describes storms, dark skies, and damage to temples
** Amhose I claimed that he repaired the damage


== Hyksos invasion ==
== Hyksos invasion ==
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===Hatshepsut===
===Hatshepsut===
[[File:Seated Statue of Hatshepsut MET Hatshepsut2012.jpg|thumb|Statue of Hatshepsut on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art|alt=Statue of Hatshepsut on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art]]
* 1508–1458 BC; ruled from 1479-1458 BC
* 1508–1458 BC; ruled from 1479-1458 BC
* ruled as regent for Amenhotep's two-year old son, Thutmose III
* ruled as regent for Amenhotep's two-year old son, Thutmose III
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*** she claimed to have been the legitimate successor of her father, Thutmose I
*** she claimed to have been the legitimate successor of her father, Thutmose I
*** from her burial temple, inscribed was Thutmose I's command:
*** from her burial temple, inscribed was Thutmose I's command:
<pre> "This daughter of mine, Khnumetamun Hatshepsut—may she live!—I have appointed as my successor upon my throne... she shall direct the people in every sphere of the palace; it is she indeed who shall lead you. Obey her words, unite yourselves at her command."
<pre> "This daughter of mine, Khnumetamun Hatshepsut—may she live!—I have appointed as my successor upon my throne... she shall direct the people in every sphere of the palace; it is she indeed who shall lead you. Obey her words, unite yourselves at her command."</pre>
** Hatshepsut then exercised full power as pharaoh herself until her death
** Hatshepsut then exercised full power as pharaoh herself until her death
** Vizier = Senenmut, possibly from rule of Thutmose I, certainly inherited from Thutmose II
** Vizier = Senenmut, possibly from rule of Thutmose I, certainly inherited from Thutmose II
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*** Amun's proclamation of her rule was inscribed on a monument:
*** Amun's proclamation of her rule was inscribed on a monument:
<pre>Welcome my sweet daughter, my favorite, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Maatkare, Hatshepsut. Thou art the Pharaoh, taking possession of the Two Lands.</pre>
<pre>Welcome my sweet daughter, my favorite, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Maatkare, Hatshepsut. Thou art the Pharaoh, taking possession of the Two Lands.</pre>
[[File:Hatshetsup-temple-1by7.jpg|thumb|partially reconstructed limestone temple]]
* accomplishments:
* accomplishments:
** Hatshepsut focused on economic expansion of Egyptian trade networks
** Hatshepsut focused on economic expansion of Egyptian trade networks
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** sponsored massive building projects, including temples, obelisks, and statues
** sponsored massive building projects, including temples, obelisks, and statues
*** she ordered built the tallest surviving obelisk at Karnak (one of two placed at the temple entrance)
*** she ordered built the tallest surviving obelisk at Karnak (one of two placed at the temple entrance)
* inscription from her tomb at Deir el-Bahari
<pre>Hear ye, all persons! Ye people as many as ye are! I have done things according to the design of my heart. … I have restored that which was in ruins, I have raised up that which was unfinished since the Asiatics were in the midst of the Northland, and the barbarians were in the midst of them, overthrowing that which was made, while they ruled in ignorance of Re. He did not do according to the divine command until my majesty. When I was firm upon the throne of Re, I was ennobled until the two periods of years...I came as Hor-watit flaming against my enemies.</pre>
** source: [https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Hatshepsut Hatshepsut (wikiquote, citing James Henry Breasted, 1906)]
* erasure of Hatshepsut's legacy
* erasure of Hatshepsut's legacy
** her stepson, Thutmose III and his son defaced and destroyed his step-mother's legacy by destroying her monuments and temples, defacing inscriptions and otherwise removing reference to her in his own inscriptions
** her stepson, Thutmose III and his son defaced and destroyed his step-mother's legacy by destroying her monuments and temples, defacing inscriptions and otherwise removing reference to her in his own inscriptions
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** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut Hatshepsut] (wikipedia)
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut Hatshepsut] (wikipedia)
** http://discovermagazine.com/2011/jun/02-egypts-lost-fleet-its-been-found Egypt's Lost Fleet—It's Been Found Discover Magazine (article requires account for full access)
** http://discovermagazine.com/2011/jun/02-egypts-lost-fleet-its-been-found Egypt's Lost Fleet—It's Been Found Discover Magazine (article requires account for full access)
* teaching resources:
** 4:52 min video: [https://www.pbs.org/video/to-the-contrary-womens-history-month-hatshepsut/ "The Female Pharaoh" from PBS.org "Women's History Month"]
</div>
</div>


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** [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertiti Nefertiti (wiki)]]
** [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertiti Nefertiti (wiki)]]
** [[https://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/aegyptisches-museum-und-papyrussammlung/collection-research/bust-of-nefertiti/the-queen/ The Bust of Nefertiti (Berlin Museum - which owns the bust of Nefertiti)]]
** [[https://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/aegyptisches-museum-und-papyrussammlung/collection-research/bust-of-nefertiti/the-queen/ The Bust of Nefertiti (Berlin Museum - which owns the bust of Nefertiti)]]
** [[https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/150814-nefertiti-tomb-tutankhamun-tut-archaeology-egypt-dna Desperately Seeking Queen Nefertiti (National Geographic)]]
</div>
</div>


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=== Ay and Horemheb ===
=== Ay and Horemheb ===
* transition from royal line of 18th dynasty
** to bureaucratic / military leaders who installed themselves as pharaohs
click EXPAND for details:
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''Ay'''
'''Ay'''
* Ay, who is possibly Nefertiti's father, probably exercised power during Tutankhamen's reign
* Ay, who is possibly Nefertiti's father, probably exercised power during Tutankhamen's reign
*** Ay succeeded him as full pharaoh
** Ay succeeded him as full pharaoh
'''Horemheb'''
'''Horemheb'''
* Horemheb succeeded Ay as pharaoh and was the last 18th dynasty pharaoh
* Horemheb succeeded Ay as pharaoh and was the last 18th dynasty pharaoh
* political divisions had grown under Akhenaten and his successors
** Horemheb reorganized the kingdom, consolidating power
** commenced the "erasure" of Akhenaten
*** demolished monuments and art of the "Armana period" (period of Akhenaten and his successors)
* Horemheb was son-in-law of Ay
* Horemheb was son-in-law of Ay
** Ay had tried to install is own son as pharaoh
* Ay had tried to install is own son as pharaoh
*** but Horemheb, who was chief general under Tutankhamun and Ay, took power for himself
*** but Horemheb, who was chief general under Tutankhamun and Ay, took power for himself
*** political divisions had grown under Akhenaten and his successors
* Horemheb chose Ramses I to succeed him
** Horemheb reorganized the kingdom, consolidating power
</div>
* Horemheb commenced the "erasure" of Akhenaten
** demolished monuments and art of the "Armana period" (period of Akhenaten and his successors)
** Horemheb chose Ramses I to succeed him


=== Ramses I & Seti ===
=== Ramses I & Seti ===
* 19th dynasty marks reorganization of Egypt
* 19th dynasty marks  
** and further military expansion
** reorganization of Egyptian rule & empire
** military expansion
click EXPAND for details on Ramses I and Seti:
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''Ramses I'''
'''Ramses I'''
* ruled 1292-1290 approx
* ruled 1292-1290 approx
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*** Kadesh had been lost during Akhenaten's rule
*** Kadesh had been lost during Akhenaten's rule
*** the Hittites soon re-conquered Kadesh
*** the Hittites soon re-conquered Kadesh
</div>


===Ramses the Great===
===Ramses the Great===
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* source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramesses_II Ramesses II] (wikipedia)
* source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramesses_II Ramesses II] (wikipedia)
</div>
</div>
* Ramses II is often portrayed in popular culture as the pharaoh of Old Testament's Book of Exodus (Moses)
** sources
** sources
*** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kadesh Battle of Kadesh] (wikipedia)
*** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kadesh Battle of Kadesh] (wikipedia)
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==Collapse of New Kingdom==
==Collapse of New Kingdom==
* following the death of Ramses II, was a series of pharaohs who oversaw a decline in Egyptian power
** Ramses II outlived many of his own sons (died in 1213)
** his thirteenth son, Merneptah, was selected as heir after the death of older brothers
*** Merneptah was about 70 years old when he became pharaoh
* over-expansion and constant warfare weakens Egyptian empire
* over-expansion and constant warfare weakens Egyptian empire
* climate change impacts region: more migration into Egypt & destabilizing invasions
* climate change impacts region: more migration into Egypt & destabilizing invasions
** famines under Ramses II (Jewish exodus period) coincidental to collapse of Hittite Empire
** a possible cause is the Hekla 3 volcanic eruption in Iceland
** Egypt suffered crop losses and inflation in grain prices
*** famines resulted
*** economic decline coincidental to decline of Hittite Empire
* Bronze Age collapse:
* Bronze Age collapse:
** collapse coincidental to Mycenean (Greece) decline
** Egypt suffered from reduced flow of the Nile and overall dryer and cooler climate
** Sea Peoples: "mysterious" raiders - likely from Italy or Greece who raided coastal areas of Eastern Mediterranean
** however, Egypt remained intact while most eastern Mediterranean states collapsed
*** Hittite empire fell, Mycenaean Greece collapsed, Assyria weakened, etc. see [[Bronze Age Collapse]] entry
** Sea Peoples:  
*** "mysterious" raiders
*** likely from Italy, Greece, and the Levant who raided coastal areas of Eastern Mediterranean
* Ramses III, from the 20th Dynasty (Ramses II was in 19th Dynasty) ruled 1186-1155
** considered the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom
** held off the Sea Peoples
** famine conditions during final years of his rule may have been caused by a volcanic eruption in Iceland (possibly 1159 BC)
** may have been murdered
*** the "Harem conspiracy", a failed coup led by one of the wives of Ramses III who wanted her son to take over from Ramses III
*** the conspiracy shows that there was political instability
*** 38 people were tried and executed
* following Ramses III, Egypt lost control of its rule in the Levant
** Libyan and Nubian invaders threatened Egypt and took territory
** the last New Kingdom pharaoh was Ramses XI, who died in 1078
** by that time the High Priests of Amun controlled Thebes and Upper Egypt
** Smendes took over as pharaoh and founder of the 21st Dynasty, ruled 1077/76–1052
*** Smendes ruled over a divided and weak Egypt that was invaded by other peoples, including the Libyans (from the west, controlled the Delta), Kushites (from the south, established themselves as pharaohs) and later on by the Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks under Alexander the Great and, marking the end of pharaonic Egypt, the Romans


== Post-Egyptian self-rule ==
== Post-Egyptian self-rule ==
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== Architecture ==
== Architecture ==


== Pyramids ==
* Egyptian architecture was defined by the available resources and geography:
** sandstone
** Nile valley and Nile flooding
** Nile floods allowed for transport of massive rock cuttings
 
===Obelisks===
 
=== Pyramids ===
 
==== early tombs & monumental structures ====
[[File:Mastaba-faraoun-3.jpg|thumb|Example of a mastaba, a built-up structure over underground tomb]]
* early Egyptians built elaborate underground burial tombs for kings & elites
* these underground tombs began to build up above ground with mud bricks
* mastaba
** = Arabic term for "bench of mud"
** ancient Egyptians called it, "house of stability"
* rectangular, flat-top, mudbrick structure, up to 30 ft high
** bricks were made of clay from the Nile banks, formed and sun-dried
** possibly related to similar Mesopotamian structures
* mastabas were built to protect burial grounds from animals and robbers
** mummification began with these structures, as they did not allow for natural mummification in the ground
* features included:
** chapel-like area above ground for ceremonies and offerings of food & other funerary offerings for the dead
*** the chapel area had a false door to protect against robbers
** oriented North-South, which was important for the buried's access to the afterlife
** two underground chambers, one for the dead and another for materials & goods for the afterlife
* mastabas were continued to be built into the Middle Kingdom
** increasingly complex over time
** some structures began to take shape of pyramids, which were adopted for kings


=== Inspiration ===
==== Benben stone ====
[[File:Benben-stone Pyramidion of the Pyramid of Amenemhet III at Dahshur wiki 350.jpg|frame|right|Benben stone from Wikipedia]]
[[File:Benben-stone Pyramidion of the Pyramid of Amenemhet III at Dahshur wiki 350.jpg|frame|right|Benben stone for Amenemhet III at Dahshur]]
* in the Egyptian creation myth (see below) a pyramid-shaped land rises from otherwise empty waters, a "primeval mound" called "Benben"
* in the Egyptian creation myth (see below) a pyramid-shaped land rises from otherwise empty waters, a "primeval mound" called "Benben"
** thus the Benben represents creation and the origin of the sun
** thus the Benben represents creation and the origin of the sun
** early Egyptians built large earth mounds to represent the the rising land of creation, which was subsequently represented in a pyramid shape of a single block of stone, thus the Benben
** early Egyptians built large earth mounds to represent the the rising land of creation, which was subsequently represented in a pyramid shape of a single block of stone, thus the Benben


=== Old Kingdom early pyramid building ===
==== Old Kingdom early pyramid building ====
* Step Pyramids
* Step Pyramids
** were the 1st pyramids
** were the 1st pyramids
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</div>
</div>


=== Great Pyramids ===
==== Great Pyramids ====
[[File:Great Pyramid of Giza edge.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Great Pyramid of Giza edge: Average core blocks of the Great Pyramid weigh about 1.5 tons each, and the granite blocks used to roof the burial chambers are estimated to weigh up to 80 tons each. (wiki)]]
[[File:Great Pyramid of Giza edge.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Great Pyramid of Giza edge: Average core blocks of the Great Pyramid weigh about 1.5 tons each, and the granite blocks used to roof the burial chambers are estimated to weigh up to 80 tons each. (wiki)]]
'''summary'''
'''summary'''
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** emulated ancient Egyptian pharaonic practices  
** emulated ancient Egyptian pharaonic practices  
</div>
</div>
=== Pyramid building & engineering ===
=== Pyramid building & engineering ===
* materials  
* materials  
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* Source: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclined_plane Inclined Plane (wiki)]]
* Source: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclined_plane Inclined Plane (wiki)]]
</div>
</div>
* sources
* click EXPAND for sources and readings on pyramids
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
** [[https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ancient-egypt-shipping-mining-farming-economy-pyramids-180956619/ The World’s Oldest Papyrus and What It Can Tell Us About the Great Pyramids (Smithsonian Magazine)]]
** [[https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/giza-pyramids Pyramids at Giza (National Geographic)]]
** [http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/pyramidreligion.htm Why the Ancient Egyptians Built Pyramids - A matter of Religion]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_dynasty_of_Egypt 4th Dynasty] (wikipedia)
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_dynasty_of_Egypt 4th Dynasty] (wikipedia)
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Egyptian_pyramids List of pyramids] (wikipedia)
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Egyptian_pyramids List of pyramids] (wikipedia)
** [http://www.cheops-pyramide.ch/pyramid-building.html Building the Great Pyramid]
** [http://www.cheops-pyramide.ch/pyramid-building.html Building the Great Pyramid]
** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nubian_pyramids Nubian Pyramids (wikipedia)]
** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nubian_pyramids Nubian Pyramids (wikipedia)]
** [http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/pyramidreligion.htm Why the Ancient Egyptians Built Pyramids - A matter of Religion]
</div>
 


==Obelisks==
=== Sphynx ===
* see Luxor dromos, aley of sphynxes


===temples===
===temples===
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* Ra displaces Atum in the New Kingdom
* Ra displaces Atum in the New Kingdom
* Sources:
* Sources:
** [http://www.landofpyramids.org/ben-ben-stone.htm The Benben Stone: Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses for kids (landofpyramids.org)]]
** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_(mythology) Nu (mythology) (wikipedia)]
** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_(mythology) Nu (mythology) (wikipedia)]
** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benben Benben (wikipedia)]
** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benben Benben (wikipedia)]
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** [[https://www.ancient.eu/article/997/ancient-egyptian-agriculture/ Ancient Egyptian Agriculture (Ancient History Encyclopedia)]]
** [[https://www.ancient.eu/article/997/ancient-egyptian-agriculture/ Ancient Egyptian Agriculture (Ancient History Encyclopedia)]]


===Literature===
*
* Papyrus of Nes-min >> todo
* [http://www.wisdomlib.org/egypt/book/the-book-of-am-tuat/index.html The Book of Am-Tuat: "That Which Is In the Afterworld"]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amduat Amduat "That which is in the afterworld"] wikipedia entry
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Ancient_Egyptian_funerary_texts Egyptian funerary texts Wikipedia category list]
* [http://egypt-grammar.rutgers.edu/Palermo%20Stone.pdf The Palermo Stone] (pdf file)
** Old Kingdom kings list, shows Menes being conferred kingship by the god Horus; this text was used by Manetho
** see also [http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/palermostone.html Palermo Stone]
* [http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/abydoskl.html Abydos King List] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abydos_King_List Abydos King List] (wikipedia)


==Culture and Cultural & Technological Achievements==
==Culture and Cultural & Technological Achievements==
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>> see articles used in WH Fall2011 >> drinking wine etc.
>> see articles used in WH Fall2011 >> drinking wine etc.


===Literature===
* Papyrus of Nes-min >> todo
* [http://www.wisdomlib.org/egypt/book/the-book-of-am-tuat/index.html The Book of Am-Tuat: "That Which Is In the Afterworld"]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amduat Amduat "That which is in the afterworld"] wikipedia entry
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Ancient_Egyptian_funerary_texts Egyptian funerary texts Wikipedia category list]
* [http://egypt-grammar.rutgers.edu/Palermo%20Stone.pdf The Palermo Stone] (pdf file)
** Old Kingdom kings list, shows Menes being conferred kingship by the god Horus; this text was used by Manetho
** see also [http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/palermostone.html Palermo Stone]
* [http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/abydoskl.html Abydos King List] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abydos_King_List Abydos King List] (wikipedia)
=== Mathematics ===
* extensive, organized agricultural land use required that the ancient Egyptians develop practical geometry and other mathematical calculations
* additionally, cultural and religious focus on tracking the the sun and stars required complex mathematical calculations
* these mathematical skills were applied to Egyptian architecture, which was planned using precise mathematical measurements and calculations.
* math types included
** addition/ subtraction/ multiplication
** fractions
** geometry, esp. for calculating surface area and volume of 3-diminensial structures (architecture and engineering)
** algebra, including quadratic equation
**
==== Numeric system ====
* surviving evidence shows Egyptians used base-10 numeric system
* large dimensions, such as land or buildings, were measured in "cubits"
* had a script to display fractions
** including to use variables, such as 2/n, in unit fractions
** see [[wikipedia:Rhind_Mathematical_Papyrus|Rhind Mathematical Papyrus - Wikipedia]]
[[File:Hieroglyph-numerals base-ten wikipedia screenshot.jpg|none|thumb|294x294px]]
* the number 276 would be represented as:
[[File:Egypt Hieroglyph numbers 276.gif|none|thumb]]
==== addition and subtraction ====
* like many early peoples, Egyptians recorded addition and subtracting using indicators of adding to or taking away numbers
*to add a number would be
**2 <-- 1 = 3
***= adding 1 to 2
** Egyptian symbol for addition = "go in"
[[File:Hiero_D54.png]] (= feet walking towards the first number being added to)<br>
so <big>1 [[File:Hiero_D54.png]] 2 = 3</big>
*to subtract a number would be
**3 --> 1 = 02
***= taking away 1 from 3
** Egyptian symbol for subtraction = "go out"<br>
so <big>3 [[File:Hiero_D55.png]] 1 = 2</big>
[[File:Hiero_D55.png]] (= feet walking away from first number being added to)
* Sources
** [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_mathematics|Ancient Egyptian mathematics (wikipedia)]]
** [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_units_of_measurement|Ancient Egyptian units of measurement (wikipedia)]]


===Gender equality===
===Gender equality===
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==Historiography of Egypt==
== Historiography of Egypt ==


===Egyptology===
===Egyptology===
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** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conventional_Egyptian_chronology wikipedia "Conventional Egyptian chronology"]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conventional_Egyptian_chronology wikipedia "Conventional Egyptian chronology"]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_chronology wikipedia "Egyptian chronology"] - this page discusses the problems in establishing Egytian chronologies
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_chronology wikipedia "Egyptian chronology"] - this page discusses the problems in establishing Egytian chronologies
* Egyptian archaeological record:
=== Egyptian archaeological record ===
*** not always reliable: often works of state propoganda
* not always reliable: often works of state propaganda
*** extensive gaps occur between surviving records
* extensive gaps occur between surviving records
*** Egyptian year count based on events and pharoahs whch is difficult to translate to modern dating
* Egyptian year count based on events and pharaohs which is difficult to translate to modern dating
* Manetho of Sebennytus
==== Egyptian timeline via celestial dating ====
** Egyptian high priest (of the sun god Ra) who lived under the Greek king of Egypt, Ptolomey I
* using the path of the Dog Star, Sirius, Egyptologists have been able to correlate the position of the star with the ancient Egyptian calendar
** major work is "Aegyptiaca," the first organized historical overview of ancient Egypt, completed in 271 BC
* since the Egyptian calendar was the basis of the Roman calendar
*** Kings List: of rulers and gods who ruled before the kings
** (which is the basis of the modern European "Gregorian" calendar)
**** kings list was an EGyptican tradition: see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saqqara_King_List Saqqara Tablet]
* knowing that July 19 is the Egyptian date for the rise of Sirius, the Dog Star
**** the list of ruling "dynasties" comes to us from Manetho
** by matching surviving Egyptian records, astronomers and mathematicians were able to date the
*** includes narratives of events across Egyptican history
*** start of the 12th dynasty at 2000 BC
*** written in Greek, most of original is lost
*** start of the 18th dynasty at 1580 BC
*** historians rely on translations by others, notably Josephus, Africanus, and Eusebius, all from the Roman era
**** more or less by 3 years
** sources:
** these calculations have allowed for accurate extrapolation of Egyptian records into modern dating
*** (wikipedia entry [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manetho on Manetho here]
** they also showed the Manetho's timeline was greatly exaggerated
*** [http://www.uni-koeln.de/phil-fak/ifa/zpe/downloads/1999/127pdf/127093.pdf The First Egyptian Narrative History: Manetho and Greek Historiography] - Academic article
=== Manetho of Sebennytus ===
* Egyptian high priest (of the sun god Ra) who lived under the Greek king of Egypt, Ptolomey I
** lived either in late 3rd century (early 300s) to early 2nd century B.C. (300s-200s BC)
* the name "Menotho" may mean "Truth" or "Gift" of "Thoth" (Egyptian god of the moon, knowledge, writing)
* major work is "Aegyptiaca," the first organized historical overview of ancient Egypt, completed in 271 BC
** Aegyptiaca = "History of Egypt"
* Kings List: of rulers and gods who ruled before the kings
** kings list was an Egyptian tradition: see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saqqara_King_List Saqqara Tablet]
** the list of ruling "dynasties" comes to us from Manetho
** includes narratives of events across Egyptian history
* written in Greek, most of original is lost
** historians rely on translations by others, notably Josephus, Africanus, and Eusebius, all from the Roman era
* see essay by [https://www.uni-koeln.de/phil-fak/ifa/zpe/downloads/1999/127pdf/127093.pdf John Dillery, The First Egyptian Narrative History: Manetho and Greek Historiography]
<pre>In the early 3rd century BC, during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the Egyptian priest Manetho of Sebennytus wrote a history of his native land in the Greek language. The work is clearly indebted both to Egyptian and Greek texts. Its importance cannot be over stressed: two cultures, and the narrative systems they employed, were brought together in the composition of his Aegyptiaca, or Egyptian Matters. Issues such as the impact of Greek historical writing on Egyptian conceptions of the past, the intended audience of such a work, and the role of the native elite in the Macedonian and Greek governance of Egypt are all opened up through Manetho's work.</pre>
* sources:
** (wikipedia entry [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manetho on Manetho here]
** [http://www.uni-koeln.de/phil-fak/ifa/zpe/downloads/1999/127pdf/127093.pdf The First Egyptian Narrative History: Manetho and Greek Historiography] - Academic article
** [http://www.und.edu/instruct/cjacobs/Manetho.html Manetho's "Aegyptiaca"] - images of surviving manuscript
** [http://www.und.edu/instruct/cjacobs/Manetho.html Manetho's "Aegyptiaca"] - images of surviving manuscript
** Greek & Romnanhistorians
=== Herodotus "Histories" ===
*** Herodotus
* Herodotus of Halicarnassus wrote "Histories", which included a study of Egypt
*** translations of Manetho
* Book 2 contains three chapters with subsections:
** Fourth logos: Geography of Egypt
** Fifth logos: customs and animals of Egypt
*** Tyre
*** Egyptian customs
*** The hippopotamus
*** Mummification
** Sixth logos: history of Egypt
*** text: The relief of Sesostris
* for Herodotus's text see:
** [https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/2131/pg2131-images.html AN ACCOUNT OF EGYPT BY HERODOTUS BEING THE SECOND BOOK OF HIS HISTORIES CALLED EUTERPE (Gutenburg)]
** [https://www.livius.org/articles/person/herodotus/herodotus-histories/ Herodotus' Histories (livius.org)] provides commentary about each book of Herodotus
=== Other Histories and ancient visitors ===
* Hecataeus of Miletus, 6th century B.C.
** called, "the father of Geography," a Greek diplomat and philosopher from 6th century BC who had visited Egypt with the Persian court after its conquest of Egypt
** wrote "Journey round the Earth" or "World Survey"
*** survive only in fragments (pieces) or citations from later authors
** Herodotus relied on Hecataeus
* Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi, 14th century AD Islamic traveler and writer
** visited Egypt and wrote in wonder of the ancient monuments
** wrote "An Account of Egypt"
** importantly promoted the study and preservation of the archaeological remains in Egypt
=== European "Egyptologists" ===
* following early 19th century French invasion of Egypt, the land was opened up to European visitors
* especially under later British rule, historians investigated the ancient archeology and texts and translated earlier texts from the Greeks, especially


*** Islamic histories of ancient Egypt
== Ancient Egypt Vocabulary ==
== Ancient Egypt Vocabulary ==
* black land / red land
* black land / red land
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==External Resources==
==External Resources==
===Websites===
===Websites===
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt (wikipedia)]
* [http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Ancient Egypt (simple wikipedia]
* [http://www.touregypt.net Tour Egypt] has a variety of useful articles on Ancient Egypt that include bibliographies
* [http://www.touregypt.net Tour Egypt] has a variety of useful articles on Ancient Egypt that include bibliographies
* [http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/geography/index.html British Museum Ancient Egypt pages] with student readings and easy to read content material
* [http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/geography/index.html British Museum Ancient Egypt pages] with student readings and easy to read content material
* [[http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/Welcome.html Digital Egypt for Universities]
* [http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/Welcome.html Digital Egypt for Universities]
* [http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Time_line_history_of_Egypt detailed timeline from Answers.com]
* [http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Time_line_history_of_Egypt detailed timeline from Answers.com]
* [http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/index.html Egypt's Goldent Empire by PBS]
* [http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/index.html Egypt's Goldent Empire by PBS]
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* bulleted link to other related internal or web articles
* bulleted link to other related internal or web articles


== Ancient Egypt in modern popular culture ==
* Steve Martin, SNL "King Tut" skit & dance
** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYbavuReVF4 YouTube]


==Lesson Plans & Teaching Ideas==
==Lesson Plans & Teaching Ideas==
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===Readings for students===
===Readings for students===
* [http://www.amazon.com/Book-Ancient-World-Dorothy-Mills/dp/159731353X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311789900&sr=1-1] "The Book of the Ancient World" by Dorothy Mills (1927, 2007 reprint) which has young reader level, descriptive and narrative stories about Ancient Egyptians (see especially the "A Visit to Thebes" chapter which describes a fictional visit to Egypt by a Phoenician trader and his son)
* Books:
** [http://www.amazon.com/Book-Ancient-World-Dorothy-Mills/dp/159731353X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311789900&sr=1-1] "The Book of the Ancient World" by Dorothy Mills (1927, 2007 reprint) which has young reader level, descriptive and narrative stories about Ancient Egyptians (see especially the "A Visit to Thebes" chapter which describes a fictional visit to Egypt by a Phoenician trader and his son)
** [https://archive.org/details/a-history-of-egypt-from-the-earliest-times-to-the-persian-conquest-1905 "A History of Egypt From The Earliest Times To The Persian Conquest" by James Breasted, 1905 (archive.org)]
* Web collections:
** https://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/index.html "Egypt's Golden Empire" (PBS.org on the New Kingdom)]
* tomb inscriptions can be especially revealing; some that are accessible to students include:
* tomb inscriptions can be especially revealing; some that are accessible to students include:
** [http://www.kenseamedia.com/encyclopedia/ppp/instructions_ptah_hotep.htm Ptah-Hotep] entry from AAA Encyclopedia with "the Instruction of Ptah-Hotep"
** [http://www.kenseamedia.com/encyclopedia/ppp/instructions_ptah_hotep.htm Ptah-Hotep] entry from AAA Encyclopedia with "the Instruction of Ptah-Hotep"
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27at Papyrus of Ani with the Spell of Maat] (wikipedia) - the "Forty-Two Declarations of Purity" make interesting reading for students to evaluate Egyptian faith and everyday life
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27at Papyrus of Ani with the Spell of Maat] (wikipedia) - the "Forty-Two Declarations of Purity" make interesting reading for students to evaluate Egyptian faith and everyday life
[[Category:Ancient Egypt]]
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