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4: Ancient Egypt

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    • 4.1: Ancient Egyptian Religion
      This page discusses Ancient Egyptian religion, a 3,000-year polytheistic belief system centered on a diverse pantheon and the pharaoh as a divine mediator of order. Key myths, such as those of Osiris and Isis, highlight themes of life, death, and resurrection. Rituals emphasized the afterlife and included temple practices focused on sustaining gods.
    • 4.2: Ancient Egyptian Art
      This page highlights the evolution of ancient Egyptian art during the Amarna period, which shifted from rigid, symbolic styles to more naturalistic and emotionally expressive representations, particularly of royal figures. It emphasizes the use of diverse artistic techniques and materials and notes the portrayal of movement through overlapping figures and crowds, reflecting Akhenaten's monotheistic beliefs, a style which declined following his reign.
    • 4.3: Ancient Egyptian Monuments
      This page details the architectural achievements of ancient Egyptian architects, focusing on monumental structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx. Temples, designed for worship, featured complex designs and significant contributions from various pharaohs, exemplified by the Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple. These constructions showcased symmetry and alignment with astronomical events.
    • 4.4: Ancient Egyptian Trade
      This page details the economic structure of ancient Egypt, highlighting extensive trade networks from the 5th century BCE with regions like Canaan, Nubia, and Punt. Egyptians exported grain, gold, and papyrus while importing timber and luxury items. Both land and maritime routes facilitated trade, with shipbuilding dating back to 3000 BCE. Notable expeditions, such as those led by Queen Hatshepsut, illustrated Egypt's significant trading power.
    • 4.5: Ancient Egyptian Culture
      This page describes the Middle Kingdom (2134-1690 BCE) as a time of prosperity and cultural renaissance, highlighting innovations like the block statue and advancements in literature, including the notable work "Story of Sinuhe." The period is characterized by stability and the evolution of literature beyond religious themes, stimulating intellectual growth.
    • 4.6: Nubia and Ancient Culture
      This page explores the history of the Nubian kingdoms along the Nile from 2000 BCE to 1504 AD, highlighting their complex relationship with Ancient Egypt characterized by trade, cultural exchanges, and periods of conflict. Nubians played a pivotal role as intermediaries for goods, and during the Egyptian Middle Kingdom, there was significant expansion into Nubia for trade control.
    • 4.7: The Rise of Egyptian Civilization
      This page outlines the prehistory of Egypt from early human settlements to around 3100 BCE, highlighting cultural advancements in the Late Paleolithic to Neolithic eras. Notable cultures like Halfan, Qadan, and Badarian emerged, contributing to tool-making, agriculture, and pottery. The Naqada cultures were pivotal for political unification and the rise of influential kings.
    • 4.8: The Old Kingdom
      This page details the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2686-2181 BCE), highlighting its monumental achievements like pyramid construction and centralized governance. Key pharaohs include Djoser, Sneferu, and Khufu, with the era famed for the Great Pyramid and Sphinx. The Fifth Dynasty marked a shift towards sun god worship, while by the Sixth Dynasty, diminishing central power and rising nomarch influence led to internal strife and a drought, culminating in the kingdom's decline and collapse.
    • 4.9: The First Intermediate Period
      This page details the First Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt (c. 2181-2055 BCE), characterized by political strife between Heracleopolis and Thebes. The decline of the Old Kingdom stemmed from succession disputes, the ascendancy of local nomarchs, and famine. Rival dynasties clashed until most notably, King Mentuhotep II of Thebes triumphed over Heracleopolis, leading to the unification of Egypt and the dawn of the Middle Kingdom.
    • 4.10: The Middle Kingdom
      This page discusses the Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt (2000-1700 BCE), highlighting the Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties' unification and centralized power. Key figures include Amenemhat I, who strengthened governance, and Senusret III, who diminished nomarch influence through military campaigns and reforms. Amenemhat III's reign is noted for economic prosperity, while Sobekneferu's short rule marked the beginning of the Thirteenth Dynasty's decline, leading to the Second Intermediate Period.
    • 4.11: The Second Intermediate Period
      This page discusses the Second Intermediate Period in Egypt (c. 1782-1550 BCE), marked by a fragmented power structure following the Twelfth Dynasty's decline. It outlines the weaker Thirteenth Dynasty, the rise of the Hyksos during the Fourteenth Dynasty, and the brief rule of the Abydos Dynasty in Upper Egypt. The Seventeenth Dynasty from Thebes eventually waged wars to expel the Hyksos, paving the way for the formation of the Eighteenth Dynasty and the onset of the New Kingdom.
    • 4.12: The New Kingdom
      This page describes the New Kingdom of Egypt (1550-1070 BCE) as a period of significant power, featuring prominent pharaohs such as Hatshepsut and Akhenaten. It highlights the Eighteenth Dynasty's focus on trade and military growth, with Akhenaten's religious reforms hinting at monotheism.
    • 4.13: Hatshepsut
      This page details Hatshepsut, Egypt's longest-reigning female pharaoh from 1478-1458 BCE, known for her prosperous rule marked by extensive trade and monumental construction, including the Temple of Karnak. Her reign brought peace and wealth to Egypt, but after her death, her legacy faded. Although she was not the first female ruler, she significantly impacted Egypt’s culture and economy. Her mummy was identified in 2007, shedding light on her historical significance.
    • 4.14: The Third Intermediate Period
      This page discusses the Third Intermediate Period of Ancient Egypt (1070 BCE to the start of the Postdynastic Period), marked by political instability and fragmentation. Power was shared between pharaohs and High Priests of Amun during the Twenty-first Dynasty. Although briefly reunified, Egypt fell into civil strife and was conquered by Nubians during the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Dynasties.
    • 4.15: The Decline of Ancient Egypt
      This page describes the decline of Ancient Egypt as a major economic and political power due to a succession of occupations, beginning with the Assyrians. Foreign rule by the Persians, Macedonians, and finally the Romans resulted in a loss of native traditions, exacerbated by the rise of Christianity and the decline of hieroglyphic literacy.

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