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Egypt

The document provides an overview of Egypt, including its history, geography, language, beliefs, customs, and culture. It discusses the various periods in Egypt's history from pre-dynastic times through ancient Egypt ruled by pharaohs to more modern times. Key figures mentioned include Cleopatra, the last ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt, and Hosni Mubarak, former president of Egypt.

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9 views

Egypt

The document provides an overview of Egypt, including its history, geography, language, beliefs, customs, and culture. It discusses the various periods in Egypt's history from pre-dynastic times through ancient Egypt ruled by pharaohs to more modern times. Key figures mentioned include Cleopatra, the last ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt, and Hosni Mubarak, former president of Egypt.

Uploaded by

tagudjameslervy.cte.cpc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Egypt

(History, Culture, and Beliefs)


Misr

 Arabic and modern official name of Egypt


 Means “two traits”
o Dynastic separation of upper and lower Egypt)

Connotes

 it means “civilization” or “metropolis”

Kernet

 Ancient name of Egypt


 It means “black land”
o Fertile black soils of the Nile plains
Geography

Egypt

 Known as the 30th largest country in the world


 One of the most populous countries in Africa and Middle East
o A population of 81 million people
 Egypt is bordered with:
o Libya, west
o Sudan, south
o Gaza strip, east
o Israel, east
 Has a land area of 1,001,450 sqkm.
 Egypt Is separated by:
o Nile river (joins red sea)
o Suez Canal (joins Mediterranean Sea)
 Mount Catherine in Sinai
o Highest peak at 8,743 feet

 Egypt Is also known as the gift of the Nile river


o Rainfall is not adequate for agriculture instead; the water is sustained from
the Nile river.

The Nile river

 Rises from south of Egypt, in Ethiopia


 and drainage in the basin of Lake Victoria
 Aswan High Dam (1971)
o People build this dam to improve the control of water in the river.
Language

Modern Standard Arabic

 The official Language of Egypt


 It includes:
o Egyptian Languages (Copto- Egyptian)
 It consists of Egyptian and Coptic
HISTORY

The life span of Ancient Egypt extended from 5000 BC to 525 BC

 During this period Egyptians way of life evolve from:


o Primitive to Neolithic culture  to civilization
 Civilization Era
o Pharaohs
 Ruled with absolute power
 Sadly, the once proud land of the Pharaohs is later then ruled by:
 Persians, Romans, and Greeks, Arabs, Turks, and
British

Egyptian history before 3100 B.C

 Also known as the Pre-Dynastic period


 The era after this date is known as the Dynastic Period
o Ruled by pharaohs

The Era of Dynastic Period

 This era includes three periods and two interludes of retrogression:


1. The old Kingdom (2700-2200BC)
2. The transitional Feudal/ First intermediate Age (2200-2050BC)
3. Middle kingdom (2050-1800BC)
4. Second intermediate kingdom (1800-1570BC)
5. Empire (1570-525BC)
Periods in Egyptian History

1. Pre-Dynastic Period
 Evolve for the necessity for cooperation in building canals and irrigation
works.
 Two kingdoms are created:
o Upper Egypt, in the south
o Lower Egypt, in the north
 Invention of ink and papyrus
 Invention of the first calendar
2. Dynastic Period
 Led by Menes
o The leader from upper Egypt
o He united the two kingdoms
o Established his capital at Memphis
3. Old kingdom
 Also known at the Age of the metals
 Creation of Pyramid
o The Step pyramid
 Constructed by Imhotep
 The oldest tomb and existing building of masonry
4. Middle Kingdom
 Amenemhet
o She flourished under the law and order of economic prosperity
 This period is noted for its excellence in lit and arts
 Invaded by Hyksos
o Alien people
 Aahmes of Thebes
o She has bought independence against the Hyksos.
5. Period of the Empire
 Thutmosis III
o The greatest pharaoh in this period
o He is often called the Napoleon of Egypt.
 Amenhotep III (1441-1377)
o During his time, the empire reached a magnificent height
o During this time Thebes became the imperial capital
o Ikhnaton
 Son of Amenhotep
 During his reign, the empire weakened due to religious
innovations and presence of enemies around him.
 Rameses III (1301-1234B.C)
o He tried to bring back the glory of the empire but failed.
o His reign was regarded as Egypt’s last show of unity and vigor
 The thirtieth Dynasty
o Was the last ruling dynasty which fall to the Persians

Cleopatra, Famous Egyptian Queen

 The last ruler from the Ptolemaic kingdom


 Also known as Cleopatra VI
 She committed suicide with her lover Mark Anthony after August Caesar
captured them
o This led to the decline of the kingdom and its subjugation to Rome.

In early 2011

 Egypt had a revolution which culminated with the ousting of the President Hosni
Mubarak who reigned for almost 30 years
Beliefs

Egypt has two religious institutions:

 Coptic Orthodox Church


o Established by Saint Mark
 Al- Azhar University
o Established as the first Islamic university in world around 1970 C.E

Around 90% of the people in Egypt are Muslims (predominant a Muslim country)

Around 5% to 10% are Christians

Major gods in Egyptian religion:

 Amun Ra, supreme god


 Ra, sun deity
 Osiris, god of water
 Isis, great mother
 Horus, falcon god (son of Osiris)

In Egyptian religion

 Immortality was the reward for good life


 Murder, stealing, lying, deceit, adultery, and trespass are regarded as sins
Customs and Traditions

The reign of Pharaoh’s

 Pharaoh
o Also known as “Great House”
o Government system is absolutism
o Ruler of Egypt
o Also known as Earthly king, chief priest, and spiritual ruler of the
nation
o Controlled all the irrigation system and exacted a share on semi-servile
laborers who toiled the royal estates
o
 Theocratic government System
o The government system this time.
o This means pharaoh has all the power both religious and political
functions
 The empire uses semi-slaves to force labor
 The society is divided into:
o 1. Court nobility: priest, and aristocrats
o 2. Middle class: merchants and craftsman
o 3. Service laborers
 Women are treated equal to men
 Egyptians are considered the religious of all men:
o Pharaohs are gods
o Pyramids are an act of manifestation and faith
o Its science is centered in the temple
o Literature varies different religious symbolisms
o Mummification
 An act to secure immortality

Culture and Famous People

Egyptian Culture

 Has 6000 years of recorded history


 It’s a co mixture of modern and western culture

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