Ancient Egypt


Understand the geography of northeastern Africa, and you understand the foundation upon which the Ancient Egyptians constructed their world. The Nile River gave the Egyptians everything they wanted; from as simple as a water supply to the more complex idea of life after death. Flowing northward from the high central plains, the river flooded annually (the inundation) breathing life in an otherwise inhospitable corner of the world. Two deserts and the Red Sea protected their world, while the Nile provided for it.	Egypt was unified under King Narmer, shown in the center of the palette above. Narmer, wearing a crown similar to a bowling pin, united Upper and Lower Egypt into one kingdom, setting into cycle the Old Kingdom, a theocratic form of government and the dynastic ruling structure that lasted nearly three millenniums	Our significant knowledge of Egypt can be traced to the Rosetta Stone, a translation of hieroglyphs left by the Egyptians themselves. This one tablet, opened the door to a near-eternity of Egyptian life

The life of an Egyptian, however, revolved around Osiris and the underworld over which he presided. The Myth of Osiris dominated Egyptian thought.	Egypt was a theocracy - a society in which the political leader also was believed to have divine qualities. At left, the step-pyramid a Saqquara, believed by many to be the first attempt at stacking burial chambers called mastabas. These highly-regarded (and often robbed) burial chambers served as weigh stations for the mummified body, to be visited occasionally by the Ka.	The importance of the passage from life to death, especially for Egyptian royalty, is demonstrated by the Great Pyramids at Giza. Built during the Old Kingdom, their size, scope and purpose is unprecedented in the Ancient world.

The Ka was like a soul, or spirit double that frequented the resting place of the physical body. It was important that the Ka be able to recognize the correct body so that ma'at could be maintained.	The most powerful of pharaohs was Ramses II, shown above with Egyptian enemies is his grasp. Ramses II lived 92 years, fathering 52 sons, endearing him as a god to his people.	The most famous pharaoh was Tuthankhamen, a boy-king who died before he was 25. His list of accomplishments was short and shallow, but the discovery of his relatively untouched tomb shed a great deal of light on Egyptian history.