Posted: February 24th, 2020
History of Ancient Egypt
History of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was one of the most remarkable civilizations in human history. It emerged in the northeastern corner of Africa, along the Nile River, around 3100 BCE and lasted for more than three millennia until it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. During this long period, ancient Egypt developed a complex and sophisticated culture that influenced many aspects of art, religion, politics, science, and literature.
One of the most distinctive features of ancient Egypt was its system of government, which was based on the concept of divine kingship. The pharaohs, or kings, of Egypt were believed to be the living representatives of the gods on earth, and they wielded absolute power over their subjects. The pharaohs were also responsible for maintaining maat, or cosmic order, which ensured the prosperity and stability of the land. To achieve this, they undertook monumental projects such as building pyramids, temples, tombs, and canals, as well as organizing the annual flooding of the Nile that fertilized the soil and enabled agriculture.
Another characteristic of ancient Egypt was its religion, which was polytheistic and animistic. The Egyptians worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses, each with a specific role and domain. Some of the most important deities were Ra, the sun god; Osiris, the god of the underworld and resurrection; Isis, the goddess of magic and healing; Horus, the falcon-headed god of kingship; Anubis, the jackal-headed god of mummification; and Thoth, the ibis-headed god of writing and wisdom. The Egyptians also believed that every living being had a ka, or life force, that survived after death. To ensure a happy afterlife, they practiced elaborate rituals of mummification and burial, accompanied by offerings and spells.
Ancient Egypt also made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge, such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, engineering, and literature. The Egyptians developed a decimal system of numeration based on powers of ten and used fractions to express parts of a whole. They also devised methods to measure area, volume, and angles, as well as to solve linear and quadratic equations. In astronomy, they observed the movements of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, and devised a calendar of 365 days divided into 12 months of 30 days each plus five extra days at the end of the year. In medicine, they diagnosed and treated various diseases and injuries using natural remedies such as herbs, honey, milk, and animal parts. They also performed surgeries such as circumcision, caesarean section, and amputation. In engineering, they mastered techniques such as quarrying, cutting, transporting, and assembling huge blocks of stone to build monumental structures such as pyramids and obelisks. They also invented tools such as ramps, levers, pulleys
