Ancient Egypt: Geography, Economy, and Akhenaten

Egyptian Trip

• Egyptians traveled extensively, around 5000 BC
• Historical sources like Herodotus provide details about the trip
• The journey connected the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea.
• Canal built by Sesostris around 5000 BC

Egyptian Topography

• Egypt displays varied geographical features, including various areas of deserts.
• Egypt's geography includes deserts, the Nile River, and coastlines

Egyptian Economy

• Egypt's economy was agrarian and based on the Nile and animals
• Evidence on temple walls illustrates daily life and agricultural practices in ancient Egypt.
• This confirms Egypt's reliance on agriculture for survival.

Akhenaten's Revolution

• Akhenaten instigated a religious revolution centered on the sun
• This transformed the belief system that revolved around life, death, and daily existence.

Geographical Composition of Egypt

• 1. Northern Coast: Mediterranean Sea
• 2. Eastern Coast: Red Sea
• 3-4. Western and Eastern deserts (Libyan, Arabian)
• 5. Nile River running through the South
• Granite stones hindered foreign ships along the Nile
• Geographical features provided protection for Egypt from various external threats

Deserts in Egypt

• The desert is referred to as "the red desert".
• The presence of predatory animals and foreign invaders made the desert a significant danger for Egypt
• The east and west deserts signified chaos and were a source of difficulty for trade and travel.
• Sunrise, representing life, and sunset, representing death, were associated with the deserts and were vital in daily life

Nile River and Valley

• Rich agricultural land exists along the valley of the Nile River
• The fertile land was known as the "black land".
• The area provided stability and permanence for the civilization
• The Delta (the northern part of the Nile) is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, inverted in usage
• The Nile played a key role in ancient Egypt's water source and agricultural activities

Timeline of Early Egypt

• Egypt's history, starting about 3000 BC, saw its civilization emerge from prehistoric societies
• Civilization emerged around 3000 BC, starting after the prehistoric era, following a change in rainfall patterns that had impacted settlements and food collection
• The period before writing involved the descent of humans from the gods
• Study will be of civilizations from 3000 BC to 332 BC, focusing on the Egyptian dynasty through to the Greek period