Ancient Egypt: Unifying Upper and Lower Egypt and its Geographical Significance, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Social Theory

Download Ancient Egypt: Unifying Upper and Lower Egypt and its Geographical Significance and more Study Guides, Projects, Research Social Theory in PDF only on Docsity! SS110: World History 1 Page 1 of 13 Rizal Technological University College of Education Social Studies Department SS110: World History 1 Module No. 4 Objectives: At the end of the lesson the students are able to: • Have a depth understanding of Ancient Egyptian Civilization, and the Old Kingdom. • Distinguish the facts from myth about Ancient Egypt Civilization and think critically about it. • Appreciate the significant of Ancient Egypt and its contribution to the Ancient World. ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- Ancient Egypt Map https://tripofancientegypt.weebly.com/day-1-geography.html Through eastern Africa, the Nile River runs from south to north. More than 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) to the north. Beginning to Lake Victoria (found in modern- day Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya) and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. runs to ten countries: Tanzania, Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan Egypt. That makes it one of the longest rivers in the world. The soil of the delta between the Mediterranean Sea and the Egyptian Desert is rich in nutrients due to the large deposits of silt that the Nile leaves behind when it enters the sea. The banks of this river also have rich soil due to the annual flooding that occurs along its length. From space, the contrasting contrast between the river's green banks and the barren desert can be seen. Much of Egypt's food has been grown in the Nile delta area for millennia. To maximize the amount of land they could use for agriculture and feed a thriving population, the ancient Egyptians invented irrigation techniques. Important and plentiful products that were simple to store and trade were beans, cotton, wheat, and flax. Background: Ancient Egypt Civilization in Ancient Egypt began over 6,000 years ago during a time known as the Predynastic Period 6000-3150 BCE. The land was divided between Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, with significant geographic and cultural differences. Throughout Ancient Egypt, the people relied on subsistence farming and created ceramics, such as pots and figurines. Most people lived in villages, although a few small cities along commonly traveled routes facilitated trade. Worship of the Ancient Egyptian gods such as Hathor, Ra, and Horus began towards the end of the period. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus described Egypt as "The Gift of the Nile," noting that without the Nile and its yearly flooding, which left silt on the river's banks, Egypt would be little more than a desert and unable to support a civilisation. Egypt was divided into Upper and Lower Egypt, each with its own king, during its early history, known as the Archaic Period The Archaic Period (3100-2649 BC). When we look at a map, this can be perplexing SS110: World History 1 Page 2 of 13 because Lower Egypt is at the top and Upper Egypt is at the bottom. This is due to the Nile River's direction of flow, which is from the south's highland to the north's lowland. One of the few rivers that flows north is the Nile; the other that comes to mind is the Genesee River in the United States. https://l.messenger.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmsvurusic.weebly.com%2Fancient-egyptian- geography.html&h=AT1y54ym2kvhzBCVquDrSwNClHDWA4k8FzPBLtzO6vmex-i9mRpDWfvWY7Qnc_Wr1XgywlihF5a3ZYnfMVLwQo1FsoEjz8ZLgXa2RF66- FbBo003dwd4LYCySlqZsCh4aT2eTA Egypt's Lower Definition https://averyandpetektrip.weebly.com/vocabulary.html Lower Egypt is the region that the Nile's northern branch is surrounded by. The Ancient Egyptians called the fertile country near the banks of the Nile Kemet, which means black or Black Land because of its rich, dark soil, because it was perfect for raising crops. Reeds were used to make dwellings and baskets by the Merimde people, who resided in this area. The El- Omari, Ma'adi, and Tasian cultures emerged there around 4000 BCE. These societies possessed more advanced technology, including as blade tools, plastered mud dwellings, and grindstones. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deshre Definition of Upper Egypt https://www.ancientsociety.com/ancient-egyptian-maps/ The region encircling the southern portion of the Nile is known as Upper Egypt. Ancient Egyptians gave the region the name Deshret, which means crimson or Red Land, because of the proximity to the Sahara and the region's desert environment and red, sand-covered soil. As early as 5000 B.C.E. The Badarian civilization arrived in Lower Egypt. Some were nomadic and lived in tents, while others chose stable houses. Beginning in 4000 B.C.E., the Naqadan culture progressively supplanted the Badarian culture. The Naqadan built their homes out of clay bricks, produced more exquisite pottery than their forebears, and interred their dead in ornately carved graves. They established cities to function as commerce hubs and engaged in trade with people all throughout Mesopotamia. SS110: World History 1 Page 5 of 13 ruled for some 94 years, the Old Kingdom period ended in chaos. Great Pharaohs, Events, and Infrastructures in Old Kingdom King Djoser (c. 2670 BCE) King Djoser Djoser was the first king of Third Dynasty of Egypt, reigning for over twenty years. He was also known as Netjerikhet means "divine of body" and 'Djoser' is derived from the Djed symbol of stability. He succeeded his father, Khasekhemwy, the last king of the Second Dynasty, and his mother was the queen Nimaathap. Djoser is best known for his Step Pyramid, the first pyramid built in Egypt, although he initiated many other building projects; so many, in fact, that scholars have suggested a reign of almost thirty years to account for the number of tombs, temples, and monuments he commissioned. In Ptolemaic Dynasty (332 – 30 BCE), The Famine stele inscription tells the story of how the king saved his country. The famine broke out during the reign of King Djoser, which lasted for seven years. He dream about the god of source of the Nile River and tell him that his temple on the island of Elephatine (near modern-day Aswan) was in disrepair and people had lost their respect for the god who gave them life through river. Djoser sail to island of Elephantine to pay his respects to Khum and see about people, as his viziers and governor suggested. He built new temple on its place, and once it was completed, the famine ended. The Step Pyramid Step Pyramid at Saqqara According to egyptianmuseum.org, The Step Pyramid stands at a height of 204 feet (62 meters) with six stepped layers. It was the largest building of its time. The Step Pyramid complex was considered as the milestone in the evolution of monumental stone architecture, not just in Egypt. But in the world in general. Limestone was first used on a large scale as a construction material. After the Step Pyramid was built, the successors of Djoser began to build pyramids as their tombs. Prior to the Step Pyramid, pharaohs were buried in mastaba tombs, large rectangular monuments. However, Imhotep, Djoser’s vizier, decided that his pharaoh needed a more impressive tomb. He came up with the idea of stacking mastabas on top of one another, while decreasing in length and width. The Step Pyramid got its name from this stepped design. Like the previous mastaba tombs, the burial chambers are beneath the pyramid. Below ground, the Egyptians created an underground structure on a scale previously unknown, quarrying out SS110: World History 1 Page 6 of 13 more than 3.5 miles (5.7 kilometers) of shafts, tunnels, chambers, galleries, and magazines. A central corridor and two parallel ones extend over 1,198 feet (365 meters), connecting 400 rooms. King Sneferu (c. 2613 BCE) King Sneferu was the first king in Fourth Dynasty and probably son of the third dynasty’s last king, Huni. Egyptologist Barbara Watterson writes, "Sneferu initiated the golden age of the Old Kingdom, his most notable achievements being the two pyramids built for him at Dahshur" Royal annals of the Old Kingdom state that Snefru led an extensive raid southward into Nubia, where he captured much booty. Later in his reign a smaller raid was conducted westward against the Libyans, and in the Sinai two reliefs of the king attest his presence in the turquoise mines. Excavations in the valley temple of one of Snefru’s pyramids at Dahshūr, southwest of Cairo, disclosed the earliest list of nomes (administrative and governmental divisions of Egypt), although the actual organization of the country probably occurred earlier. The list also shows that the king held extensive estates throughout Egypt. Snefru presided over a period of expansion and technical innovation in the construction of pyramids. The three major pyramids he built were far larger than those constructed by his predecessors, and their forms illustrate the transition from the step pyramids of the 3rd dynasty to the flat-sided true pyramids built in the 4th dynasty and after. Meidum Pyramid It was he last king of third dynasty, Huni was believed to first initiated the construction of Meidum Pyramid, however it was the first king of Fourth Dynasty, Sneferu whom gained credit for this. Meidum Pyramid is the first true pyramid constructed in Egypt but did not last. It is because of modifications; the first design of pyramid was Imhotep’s and King Sneferu wanted a true pyramid with steep side. The pyramid collapse because the outer casing resting on a sand foundation rather than a rock. The Meidum Pyramid was now referred as “collapse pyramid” or, locally, a the “false pyramid” because its shape resembles more like a tower rather than a pyramid. Bent Pyramid Bent Pyramid was the first pyramid constructed under the reign of King Sneferu at Dashur. The Bent Pyramid is so called SS110: World History 1 Page 7 of 13 because it rises at a 55-degree angle and then shifts to 43 degrees of smaller stones giving it the appearance of bending in toward the top. The workers had completed the foundation and the sides before realizing that a 55-degree angle was too steep and modified their plan to finish the project as best they could. Sneferu seems to have understood the problem and moved on to build his third pyramid. Red Pyramid Red Pyramid was the first perfect pyramid in Egypt. The Red Pyramid (so called because of the use of reddish limestone in construction) was built on a solid base for greater stability, rising at a 43-degree angle. 344 feet (105 meters) high, the Red Pyramid was the first successful true pyramid built in Egypt. Originally it was encased in white limestone, as the other later pyramids were also, which fell away over the centuries and were harvested by locals for other building projetcs. King Khufu/Cheops (c. 2589 BCE) King Khufu is famous for his construction of Great Pyramid at Giza. He was the son of King Sneferu who build the three pyramids: Meidum, Bent, and Red Pyramid. He was saw as tyrant and oppressor by ancient Greek writers, particularly, Herodotus (who also brought the idea that the Great Pyramid was built by 100, 000 slaves.). The influence of this may have been the document known as Westcar Papyrus, a collection of four stories written about the kings of the fourth dynasty and discovered by Henry Westcar (c. 1824 CE). The papyrus features four stories told by sons of Khufu and includes one where King Khufu calls a magician to court who claims to be able to reattach a severed head to a body, and some scholars have interpreted his actions in asking for a demonstration as cruel or thoughtless. The Great Pyramid at Giza The Great Pyramid is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one to remain largely intact. It was built for Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops in Greek). Hemiunu, who served as vizier and royal seal bearer to Khufu, was probably responsible for building Khufu’s pyramid at Giza. Originally 481 feet (147 meters) tall, with each side about 755 feet (230 meters) wide, this structure took twenty years to build. It is the largest pyramid ever built and is made of over 2.3 million limestone blocks – each weighing from 2.5 to 15 tons! At completion, the Great Pyramid was surfaced with white SS110: World History 1 Page 10 of 13 This temple consisted of a raised platform that contained an altar just in front of a mound, upon which a broad and relatively low obelisk was erected. From this temple, a covered causeway led to a valley-temple. It is in this valley temple that a beautifully preserved head of Userkaf, wearing the crown of Lower-Egypt has been found. King Sahure (c. 2490 BCE) Userkaf was succeeded by Sahure, who was know as his son. King Sahure built his mortuary complex at Abusir, near the Temple of the Sun. Sahure was an effective leader, who make the first Egyptian expedition to the Land of Punt and negotiated important trade agreements with other nations. He built his own Temple to the Sun at Abusir and was the first to make use of the palmiform columns, which later on became the standard for columns among Egypt after his reign. Mortuary Complex Sahure’s mortuary complex or also known as Pyramid of Sahure was the first pyramid in Abusir, far away from pyramids at Giza and Saqqara. This pyramid complex stands on the shores of Abusir Lake and includes a valley temple, causeway, high temple, main pyramid and the cult pyramid, along with the enclosure walls. It is considered a typical pyramid of the Old Dynasties and its steps were built loosely with stones. As a result, most of the pyramid complex has disintegrated since its construction from forces of nature. It was discovered in the early 20th century by Ludwig Borchardt during an excavation mission. After King Sahure’s reign, he was succeeded by his son, Neferirkare Kakai (c. 2477 BCE). Later, the Abusir Papyrus was found, and it was a believed that it belongs to Neferirkare’s mortuary. The pyparus were written in ink and are the earliest known document in hieratic script, a cursive form of hieroglyphs. After Neferirkare, he was succeeded by his own son, Neferefre (c. 2460 BCE) who has SS110: World History 1 Page 11 of 13 known as a young man who died in his 20s. He followed by Sheprekare (c. 2450 BCE); however, nothing is known in his reign. King Nyussere Ini (c. 2445 BCE) During King Nyussere’s reign, the priest of Ra gained more power and the bureaucracy of temples and mortuary complex also increase, which placed increasing strains of the royal treasury which paid for the temple’s upkeep and maintenance. King Menkauhor Kaui (c. 2444 BCE) but the only thing was known in his reign that built the last Temple to the Sun. King Djedkare Isesi (c. 2414 BCE) King Djefkare refused to build more temples and rejected the traditional practice of building a temple to the sun god and reduced the number of priests needed for the maintenance of morturary complex. His remarkable reign was because of extensive reformation of the bureaucracy and the priesthood to maintain a stable economy. The second expedition in Punt which enriched Egypt was also led by him. The development of Osiris cult was during the reign of King Djedkare and the emphasis on the eternal life through association the god who had died and returned to life. The most significant aspect of Djedkare Isesi's reign, however, was the decentralization of the government at Memphis which placed greater power in the hands of local officials. This was done to lessen the costs of the massive bureaucracy which had grown up during the 4th and earlier 5th Dynasties. Although the idea might have made sense, it essentially gave more power to the regions where local priests were already influential enough to order governmental administrators about and so made the king's earlier efforts at curtailing priest's power almost irrelevant. The last King of 5th Dynasty was King Unas (c. 2465 BCE) who was the first pharaoh to inscript the interior of his pyramid at Saqqarah with religious and magic text known as Pyramid Texts. King Teti (c. 2345 BCE) During the rule of first king, the local officials and administrator were building more elaborate tobs than nobility. According to Manetho, King Teti was assassinated by his bodyguards, a crime which have been unthinkable before. He was succeeded by Userkare (c. 2333 BCE) which short reign and eventually succeeded by King Pepi I. King Meryre Pepi I (c. 2332 BCE) During King Pepi I’s time, the reign of the nomarchs (local administrators of the nomes) became more powerful. This This trend continued with the reign of Merenre Nemtyensaf I (2283-2278 BCE) and into that of Neferkare Pepi II (2278-2184 BCE), who came to the throne as a child and died as an old man, marking an incredible reign of close to a hundred years. King Neferkare Pepi II (c. 2278 BCE) King Pepi II was the king that reign the longest. He was the son of Pepi I and succeeded by his half-brother, Menrere I, who died at very young age. He succeeded the throne at the age of 6, and reign for over 90 years. The increasing power of provincial nomarchs along with the priesthood eroded the authority of central government and king. After Pepi II’s reign, he was succeeded Menrere II (c. 2184 BCE), who had very SS110: World History 1 Page 12 of 13 short reign and he followed by Netjerkare Siptah (c. 2184 – 2181 BCE) who reigned for three years when the power of pharaoh was crumbling, and local nomarchs was on the rise. When a drought brought famine to the land, there was no longer meaningful central government to respond to it. The Old Kingdom ended with the 6th Dynasty as no strong ruler came to the throne to lead the people. Local officials took care of their own communities and had no resources, nor felt the responsibility, to help the rest of the country. As the 6th Dynasty passed away, Egypt slowly tumbled into the era now classified by scholars as the First Intermediate Period. Pyramid of Pepi II Pyramid of Pepi II was the last infrastructure that constructed during Old Kingdom. Structural weakness, aggravated by an earthquake, later required that a girdle wall be built around the pyramid.