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Just before the start of Recorded history, we know that the ancient Egyptians existed in Hunter-gatherer groups. Generally centered around The Nile River system. So how did the Nile Shaped Anciet Egypt? The essay delves into the profound influence of the Nile River on the civilization, examining its role in agriculture, transportation, cultural development, and the overall shaping of the unique characteristics and enduring legacy of ancient Egypt.
After the drying of the deserts, the people that would become known as the Egyptians Started Cultivating crops around the Nile in both upper and lower Egypt.
Both section s of the Nile river, the Blue Nile and the White Nile have the predictable rhythm of flooding and leaving Nutrient-rich silt behind. This is what makes the soil around the Nile so fertile. Ancient Egyptian History spans several Millenniums. However, the parts of this civilization's history that will be discussed include. The Middle Kingdom Period, The New Kingdom, and the Ptolemaic Period.
Starting at around 2040 BCE the Middle Kingdom Period is considered Ancient Egypt’s Classical Age.
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During this period, it is believed Ancient Egypt truly experienced a Cultural and Political Unification. This is meant to mean during this period Egypt Created some of its greatest works of art and literature. To this day it is still debated which dynasty was in power at the start of the Middle Kingdom Period. However, most Experts cite the 12th dynasty as the beginning because it was under them there were vast improvements in the quality of art and agriculture around that time.
However, these improvements couldn’t have occurred without the stability instilled by the rulers of the 11th dynasty. The most commonly accepted period spans the latter part of later part 11thdynasty well through to the 13th Century. The 13th Dynasty was never as powerful as the 12th Dynasty.
The Middle Kingdom Period started with the rule of Mentuhotep II who had reunited the country. The 11th Dynasty oversaw a period several previous pharaohs work to reconquer the rest of lower Egypt. Each king would have more success than the previous. After the unification, he would spend the rest of his life securing prosperity and peace for his kingdom. This was something that Egypt has had not seen for over 200 years. Or the impressive developments during his reign or more specifically during the end of his life can be found in the vicinity of his tomb or funerary temple complex. There are depictions of him not as being someone giving offerings or but as an almost God-like being. This could be one of the first examples of where the pharaoh would be seen as a representative of God or a God themselves. One of the more interesting and unexpected fines in Mentuhotep II’s tomb was in a conceited chamber where archaeologists discovered wooden models depicting everyday life during the Pharaoh's time including the raising and slaughtering of livestock. This was such an unexpected discovery because wood is among the items most expected to rot away in the humid Egyptian environment. Indeed, the many models found to give a snapshot of middle Kingdom life for the Egyptians.
Following His son was already an old man by the time he became pharaoh. This was an unfortunate side effect of his father's long and prosperous rule. However, this son maintained a defensive attitude towards the northern tribes. He tried a refurbish the Wadi Hammatat It was a dried-up riverbed, that had been a prosperous trade route from Koptos a city by the Nile to the to Quseir a port on the red sea. He would organize eventually organize an expedition to finally deal with these northern tribes. Mentuhotep III took 3000 troops with him on this expedition eastwards As, his expedition marched, he sunk over 12 wells as he went. Presumably, this was done to secure his supply lines as he went further east. Additionally, leaving wells where you've been it's a good way of currying favor with your future subjects. 11th dynasty would come to an end after Mentuhotep IV sent Amenemhet and 10,000 troops to acquire a massive stone for the King's sarcophagus. Unfortunately, upon returning to Thebes Amenemhet overthrew the pharaoh, and installed his dynasty as Kings. This would become the 12th dynasty ended officially hit off Would be called the Golden age of the middle Kingdom age.
This Golden age, which starts with the rule of pharaoh Amenemhet the first. He and his decedents As is first to act as pharaoh Amenemhet would cruise the Nile putting down revolts. He also founded a capital between Memphis and Thebes as a way of consolidating his power. As well as a good way of keeping an eye on upper and lower Egypt. Since it was the supervision that led to the perceived dark age in the first place. It was also during this period where the God Amun would take up pick up more prominence than the previous war god Montu. One of Amenemhet's greatest accomplishments was instituting the practice of coregency. A practice that would be become commonplace throughout the 12 dynasties. Amenemhet during the 20th year of his reign had his heir, Senusret I Or they ended up sharing the throne for the next 10 years. This practice was effective because it allowed for something akin to an apprenticeship. Amenemhet would rule as a pharaoh like he always did. But his son still held power and once it was his time to take the throne, he would have enough experience to not need tutors.
During this period Senusret was put in charge of the military and was sent by his father on military expeditions. Unfortunately, it was on one of these Expeditions into the western desert to fight the Libyans. When Senusret received word that his father was murdered. He rushed back to the capital to put down the attempted coup. Miss it up in the way Senusret had wanted to become pharaoh. It was during this time when some of the best works of literature describing Amenemhet’s murder. The first was known as the instructions of Amenemhet Is a work that describes the ghost of the father coming to his son to impart advice and warnings. He advises Senusret not to trust The Palace guard for they had murdered his father well he was sleeping after a meal. The other is known as the story of Sinuhe, the tale of a young henchman who hears of a plot to kill the King. He fears being implicated in the plot if it is found out, so he flees to Palestine. Thankfully unlike the previous story this young henchman is recalled to Egypt by the new pharaoh and exonerated of any doubt regarding his involvement in the plot to kill the pharaoh.
It would be during the Middle Kingdom. When history would see The Egyptians embarking on a dramatic southern with these with a series of military expansion projects. A long chain of fortresses Was built at the most painful part of the Kush or Nubian trade routes. These fortresses would serve a dual purpose as both military outposts as well as custom stations. These would be built out of mud brick and he built over 130 years roughly spanning 3 different Pharaohs from Senusret I to Senusret III. Most of these fortresses were clustered in areas to specifically control the flow of traffic northwards That area strategically important points along the Nile where it was hard to navigate. Contrary to popular belief these fortresses were not built for subjugation or protection. they are believed to have been staging points for further military operation deeper into Africa. The further Southern fortresses would prove to be the final frontier and as far South as the 12th dynasty would go.
The Pharaoh who greatly expanded Egypt’s foreign diplomatic relations was Senesret’s son Amenhotep II. This Pharaoh History would see Egypt Trading for goods for further than previously recorded. He worked on improving the irrigation system by widening the Yusef Canal. This work would continue into the rule of the succeeding pharaoh Senusret II. When he would curry favor with the Providential elites following several decades of peaceful rule. His Son would Senusret III would go on to achieve several impressive military victories against the Nubians, Unfortunately, the pharaohs that follow wouldn’t be known for many accomplishments of note. One pharaoh did organize an expedition into the Sinai region. But little is said to have come of it.
After the end of the second intermediate Ahmose, the first was successfully able to kick out the Hyksos and installed himself as the pharaoh of Egypt. The start of his rule history would see the rise of the new Kingdom Era. Under his and his successors rule Egypt would see the kind of great construction not seen since the Middle Kingdom Period. They were able to restore Egyptian power in both Syria and Nubia. However, they would continue to see rebellion in Nubia throughout this and future periods. As a final insult to the Hyksos rulers, almost constructed a palace at Avaris on Top of the Hyksos palaces. Under his rule Thebes would be restored as the capital city of all of Egypt. The status had not held the Early Middle Kingdom Period under the 11th Dynasty. It would be from here that the new system of civil service would be established creating a greater demand for scribes and literary figures force Royals for the Royal archives. Thanks to this the archives filled up with various accounts and relevant reports. Again, as with the 11th dynasty the decision to make the capital of Egypt Thebes, was a strategic choice. Or if any rebellions begin in Further conflict along the border with the Hyksos. Egypt to the was able to effectively counter any future incursions along either border. There was also a religious shift happening at the time as Thebes’ leading god was Amun and since Ahmose credited his vcoti4es against the Hyksos to Amun. This god started to eclipse the previously important god Ra in popularity.
This massive construction program included Ahmose ‘s last Pyramid. It wasn't as impressive as the pyramids of previous down the stairs. The reason for this was because this dynasty did not have the habit of entombing's Pharaohs in these pyramids. these Pharaohs tended more towards having a central location or tomb for all their Pharaohs. Most of which would be buried in the Valley of the Kings. The temple complex was often associated with the God RA and since RA had been overshadowed by Amun these Pharaohs moved away from the use of the grand gesture of constructing pyramids.
The Pharaoh to follow Ahmose was his son Amenhotep I Would follow his father's military tradition by launching a campaign deeper into the region of Nubia. This was done most certainly to restore Egyptian trade routes that since the time of the second intermediate. Had undoubtedly fallen into disrepair. As the invasion of the Hyksos had probably shifted the priorities of the Pharaohs at the time. Under his rule, he was successfully able to restore these once disconnected regions under Egyptian rule. Amenhotep I was one of the first Pharaohs to separate his Mortuary temple from his tomb. Interesting enough it was his mummy which wasn't unwrapped by modern Egyptologists. There or many depictions of Amenhotep in the form of statues. Unfortunately, these statues are believed to be from the time of Rameses. It would be during his time that we would start to see a copying of middle Kingdom statuary styles. there is such a resemblance that many modern Egyptologists have trouble telling which statue is from the Middle Kingdom and which one is from the New Kingdom. Under Amenhotep’s rule, there would be several impressive literary developments. The Egyptian book of the dead went through what is believed to be its final form during this era.
Some common aspects of the New Kingdom Era are often the taking of or commandeering of a previous Pharaohs tomb or Mortuary temple complex. For example, under the rule of Hatshepsut, she would ultimately order the commandeering of the tomb of Tuthmosis the 2nd.
Rulers of this period also had tried to erase their predecessors from history. after Hatshepsut's death Tuthmosis the 3rd spent much of his reign trying to eliminate records. Her statues were often hidden or smashed her the reliefs of her or often chiseled out of. And her obelisks walled off. However, her impressive temple was hard to vandalize as it was culturally important at the time. To briefly continue with Hatshepsut, she is Egypt’s greatest and least known Pharaohs. Of the great architectural constructions built under her reign there was her impressive Mortuary temple, along with 2 massive red granite obelisks which until one of them fell over and collapsed were considered the tallest obelisks in ancient. But just as impressive she and her architectural legacy are. Her Royal Stuart could be seen considered just as impressive.
While it is true that Tuthmosis the 3rd made a habit of erasing his predecessors he also has a more positive and in the impressive list of accomplishments of his own. He was successfully able to follow his family's military traditions by making over 30 raids into the Middle East. Ultimately was able to conquer as far as the Euphrates River. This would be as far as the Kingdom of Egypt would reach. The most famous events under Tuthmosis III’s reign Were the battle of Megiddo. This battle is depicted on the walls of Amun Ra's temple at Karnak. But it was first displayed in the Journal of Tuthmosis III’s Scribe. It would be at this battle that Tuthmosis the 3rd would show his tactical and strategic brilliance. This strategy of using the unpredictable approach caught his enemies off guard. Also, his decision to March at the head of his army was rarely done at the time. Along with the smart formation and positioning of his men, Tuthmosis was able to outmaneuver his enemy and win the battle. Along with future campaigns into the Levant and Syria Tuthmosis established himself as an effective military commander and ruler. Some of Tuthmosis’s Domestic achievements include the construction of several obelisks one of which still stands in Istanbul. Along with the construction of his Festival Hall.
After the death of Alexander, the Great his empire fractured. Since he was so young, he had not put forth a will. This is additional this was complicated further by the fact that when it came to the successor is any sons he might have had mysteriously died. In Egypt, one of Alexander's commanders Ptolemy took up the rulership of this now independent Egypt. Now at first glance Egyptians believed that these Greeks would try to Hellenize Egypt. However, to the surprise of everyone Ptolemy and his successors went native. This was primarily as a method of keeping the Egyptian people on their side. Unfortunately, no matter how much the Ptolemies played at being Egyptian they were still ultimately Greek. So, after Alexander's death, most of his generals engaged in what we can become known as the Diadochi Wars. Most of the 3rd century BCE would be made up of the Ptolemies using Egypt as a base to fight against the Hellenic Seleucids for territory.
However, it wasn't just the Ptolemy’s who were engaging in military conquest. The Kassite peoples had been expanding into Nubia during the period of the Persians. Now since Nubia had been part of Egypt. The rulers of Egypt the Ptolemies more specifically Ptolemy the 2nd. With his family now firmly in control of Egypt, he thought it was time to put the Kassites in their place. Aside from the downside of the Ptolemies ridiculously inbred family line, there were better benefits from having Greek rulers are as Pharaohs. With the is not too distant connections to Greece Egypt had relatively easy access to trade with the city-states in lower Greece and the Kingdom of Macedonia.
Like the Pharaohs of ancient of the more ancient Egyptian periods. the Ptolemies embarked on massive building campaigns making temple projects. Upon their completion, these temples would become a center of learning with renewed interest in Egyptian beliefs and literature. while it's true that through most of Ancient Egyptian history Thebes has held a particularly strong importance in terms of both religious and military reasons. However, Memphis was just as important being the generally accepted capital of lower Egypt. with its close vicinity to Alexandria Memphis Gained more important with its proximity to the city Alexander founded.
Even as the Ptolemies tried to keep the native Egyptian culture and styles alive. having culturally Greek Pharaohs tends of merging or blending the two literary and artistic styles. For political reasons that Ptolemies used a very different architectural style than traditional Egyptian Pharaohs. By the 2nd century BCE news new styles of hair and clothing featuring a combination of traditional Egyptian and Hellenic styles became prominent. Going into the 1st century BCE in temples statues would have Greek hairstyles while having Egyptian clothing.
To shift slightly it wasn't just appearances that changed with the rise of the Ptolemaic Dynasty there were legal and social changes as well. When it came to Royal revenues such things were handled by the Royal judicial system. However, unlike some Pharaohs, the Ptolemies viewed themselves as personally responsible for the administration of justice. This it with uh traditional Macedonian view of Kingship. Or a ruler or King was the state was the government in a single person. The Ptolemies during their time in power what about Hellenizing the Egyptian legal system.
One of the most famous figures in the Ptolemaic period was Cleopatra. Not originally in and meant to take the throne she was and is widely remembered for her wit and cunning. Always able to recognize when is it might be smart to acquiesce to the will of others. Like when Julius Caesar presented his terms for supporting her to gain pharaoh. It's often of mystery to historians on how with such a notoriously inbred family line how Cleopatra became such a formidable person. Also unfortunate is there aren't many Egyptian records of Cleopatra most of that records that exist are from the Romans who enjoyed painting her as nothing more than a seductress who screwed her way across Europe to secure her replaces pharaoh but yeah that's unfair to Cleopatra.
Ancient Egyptian history has lasted longer than the history of the United States. with most of the most noteworthy achievements and people existing at starkly opposite ends of the timeline. Like many other ancient civilizations, Egypt saw periods of great success as well as turmoil. the most defining aspect of ancient Egyptian history is the sheer quantity of great works they have created. Funerary statues of middle Kingdom Pharaohs were we're so prolific that the many pharaohs of the new Kingdom Era copy these styles of these statues. The best representation of the Ptolemaic dynasty can be found in Shakespeare's work of Cleopatra. The best example of Egypt's lasting impact on contemporary world history is everything we have regarding King Tut's remains. This surprisingly famous pharaoh is so famous because his tomb was one of the few that had not been robbed. The fact that some the what everyone knows of ancient Egyptian history comes from the one pharaoh whose tomb remained intact.
Ancient Egypt And How It Was Shaped By Nile. (2024, Feb 22). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/ancient-egypt-and-how-it-was-shaped-by-nile-essay
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