The thought of the Greek historian Herodotus of Halicarnassus that Egypt is a gift of Nile accurately describes the surroundings in which this greatest civilization of Old Age was created. Two main characteristics of the area in which the Egyptian Kingdom was made are – hot desert on one side and the great river Nile that ‘cuts’ the desert in the north-south direction on the other, which creates a narrow zone of fertile ground around its river-bed. This is the only place that has conditions for life.
Because of the fact that rains in Egypt are a rare phenomenon, the yearly floods of Nile that irrigated the surfaces close to the river were the only source of rich crops that fed the entire Egypt. The yearly flood of Nile could be perfectly predicted by observing the location of the stars. This was the reason why Egyptians were the first to develop astronomy – a science that will later impress Greeks and Romans.
Egypt developed a very high degree of civilization that was in complete balance with nature and adapted to its surroundings. Ancient Egypt also had a very advanced system of watering channels. In the areas of certain cities and temples were many trees and vegetation, which is different comparing it to the looks of Egypt nowadays. The rich harvest allowed Egyptians to work in agriculture only for a part of the year. For the remainder of the time, they worked in other fields related to the development of material culture, but also to its upgrade with science, art, theological thoughts etc.
Economical power of Egypt, except on agriculture, also founded itself on natural resources (especially on limestone and sandstone - types of rocks that were most important in building of the statues, monuments and buildings).
It is believed that at the beginning of the historical period (around 3100 BC), 150 000 people lived in Egypt, while at the time of the New Kingdom (1552 – 1070 BC), the population reached 4 million inhabitants.
Egypt’s citizens had different roots, but the cultural and migrational influence of Mesopotamia is certain. The influence of Nubia from the south was strong as well. This can be seen on the statues and drawings from tombs – while some of them have Indo-European features, the others have more or less Negroid features.
To have the incredibly long chronology of Egyptian Kingdom, that lasted over 3000 years, divided on smaller time periods, these intervals have been accepted:
Protodynastic period – around 3100 BC
Early Dynastic Period – 2955 BC – 2635 BC
Old Kingdom – 2635 BC – 2155 BC
First Intermediate Period - 2155 BC – 2040 BC
Middle Kingdom – 2040 BC – 1785 BC
Second Intermediate Period – 1785 BC – 1552 BC
New Kingdom – 1552 BC – 1070 BC
Late Period – 1070 BC – 332 BC
Ptolemaic Period – 332 BC – 30 BC
Roman Period – 30 BC – 395.
This concludes the first part of my 'Ancient Egypt' blog.
Because of the fact that rains in Egypt are a rare phenomenon, the yearly floods of Nile that irrigated the surfaces close to the river were the only source of rich crops that fed the entire Egypt. The yearly flood of Nile could be perfectly predicted by observing the location of the stars. This was the reason why Egyptians were the first to develop astronomy – a science that will later impress Greeks and Romans.
Egypt developed a very high degree of civilization that was in complete balance with nature and adapted to its surroundings. Ancient Egypt also had a very advanced system of watering channels. In the areas of certain cities and temples were many trees and vegetation, which is different comparing it to the looks of Egypt nowadays. The rich harvest allowed Egyptians to work in agriculture only for a part of the year. For the remainder of the time, they worked in other fields related to the development of material culture, but also to its upgrade with science, art, theological thoughts etc.
Economical power of Egypt, except on agriculture, also founded itself on natural resources (especially on limestone and sandstone - types of rocks that were most important in building of the statues, monuments and buildings).
It is believed that at the beginning of the historical period (around 3100 BC), 150 000 people lived in Egypt, while at the time of the New Kingdom (1552 – 1070 BC), the population reached 4 million inhabitants.
Egypt’s citizens had different roots, but the cultural and migrational influence of Mesopotamia is certain. The influence of Nubia from the south was strong as well. This can be seen on the statues and drawings from tombs – while some of them have Indo-European features, the others have more or less Negroid features.
To have the incredibly long chronology of Egyptian Kingdom, that lasted over 3000 years, divided on smaller time periods, these intervals have been accepted:
Protodynastic period – around 3100 BC
Early Dynastic Period – 2955 BC – 2635 BC
Old Kingdom – 2635 BC – 2155 BC
First Intermediate Period - 2155 BC – 2040 BC
Middle Kingdom – 2040 BC – 1785 BC
Second Intermediate Period – 1785 BC – 1552 BC
New Kingdom – 1552 BC – 1070 BC
Late Period – 1070 BC – 332 BC
Ptolemaic Period – 332 BC – 30 BC
Roman Period – 30 BC – 395.
This concludes the first part of my 'Ancient Egypt' blog.
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