Ancient Egypt: History & Culture PDF

EGYPT – “land of pharaoh” and “Desert Land” 1. Geographical and Geological Influence Nile River: means of communication o Central to Egyptian civilization for agriculture, transportation, and trade. o Seasonal flooding provided fertile soil, which supported...

EGYPT – “land of pharaoh” and “Desert Land” 1. Geographical and Geological Influence Nile River: means of communication o Central to Egyptian civilization for agriculture, transportation, and trade. o Seasonal flooding provided fertile soil, which supported the growth of crops and sustained the population. Stone Materials: o Limestone: Abundant and used extensively in pyramid construction (e.g., the Great Pyramid of Giza). o Sandstone: Used in building temples such as Karnak and Luxor. o Granite: Hard, durable stone often used for obelisks and interior elements in tombs and temples (e.g., the Red Pyramid at Dashur). o Mud Bricks: Used for everyday homes and less significant structures; easily sourced from the Nile mud. Materials: Date Palm – for roofing’s Palm leaves- for roofing materials Acacia- for their boat Sycamore- mummy case Papyrus- steam of papyrus making sheets of paper 2. Climatic Influence Warm Climate: o Encouraged the use of open courtyards and flat roofs in buildings. o Minimal rainfall meant that structures didn’t require complex drainage systems. o Absence of windows in many buildings to keep out the heat. o Two seasons: SPRING and SUMMER o Rain is rare 3. Religious Influence Belief in the Afterlife: o The construction of elaborate tombs (pyramids, mastabas, rock-cut tombs) to protect the deceased and their possessions. o The practice of mummification led to the development of specialized tomb structures with chambers for preserving the body and its belongings. o Poor people buried in the sand o Rich Egyptians ware preserved properly called mummification Mummy: o Internal organ placed in canopic jars o Imsety Huma headed God looked for liver but the Hapy the baboon headed God looked after lungs, while Duamutef the Jackal headed God looked after stomach and Qebehsenuef a falcon headed God Looked after intestine o Left for 40 days  o Body rubbed with oil and refilled linen or sawdust o Wrapped in linen bandages o Placed in sarcophagus(coffin) decorated with picture of Gods and spells o Place in burial chamber with canopic jars and many different items like food dames and furniture o Inside the burial chamber were paintings and spells Egyptians Gods o Amun – a man with red skin, a long hat with two feathers - Holds stick and cross of life - Creator deity o Ra – man with head falcon, and sun disk rests on his head - Also, creator deity and gave life to everything while resurrected the dead o Aton – symbols sun and rays - Become the only God (monotheism) o Isis – wear a headdress shaped like throne - she a goddess of maternity, love and birth - was Osiris sister - very popular goddess in rome - represented with wings o Osiris – skin was green and held whip with crock - God of fertility and agriculture - Presided the judgement of the dead - Wife was lsis, and son wad Horus o Horus – man with head of a falcon wore a double crown - God of the skies o Maat – woman with feather of ostrich in her head symbol harmony - Goddess of justice, truth and harmony in the universe o Ptah – man with green skin all covered with linen while holding a long scepter in his hands - God of magic and architects - Could cure the sick o Thot – man with a head of an ibis or bird - God of wisdom, writing and music - Invented words and languages o Anubis – man with head jackal - God of cemeteries and dead - Would take the dead to the underworld - Helped with mummification o Sobek – man with head crocodile and crown - God of the Nile - Nice God o Bastet – woman with head of a cat - Goddess of homes - Gave joy and Happiness to people  o Sath – man with head of non- identified animal - God of violence and pain - Nasty God Pharaohs as Deities: o Pharaohs were considered gods on earth, which justified the building of monumental structures that glorified their reigns. o Life after Death and Mummies o Temples dedicated to gods often included statues and inscriptions emphasizing the pharaoh's divine status. o When pharaohs die becomes “OSIRIS” gods of death o “Monotheistic “in the theory and “Polytheistic” in practice o Buried in a tomb Major Religious Structures: o Pyramids: Tombs that ensured the pharaoh's safe passage to the afterlife (e.g., the Pyramids of Giza). o Mortuary Temples: Built in honor of deceased pharaohs to maintain the cult of the pharaoh after death (e.g., the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut). o Cult Temples: Dedicated to major gods like Amun, Ra, and Osiris (e.g., the Temple of Karnak). 4. Historical Influence Ancient Kingdom (1th -10th dynasty) ❖ Develop two tombs - Mastaba (contained a chapel and statue of the dead) - Pyramid Middle Kingdom (11th -17th dynasty.) Important personalities: o Mentuhetep II -developed tomb “rock-cut tomb” o Senusrets -erected the earliest known “ OBELISK”at Heliopolis. o AmenemhatI -founded“Great temple of Ammon Kharnak” grandest of all temples. Architectural Features: o Shift towards more elaborate and finely decorated rock-cut tombs. o Introduction of more sophisticated techniques in stone carving and construction. New Empire (18th – 30th dynasty) Important personalities: o Thotmes I -additions to the Temple of Ammon, Kharnak o Hatshepsut -Queen of Egypt, famous for her Funerary Temple at Mt. Der-El-Bahari. o Thotmes IV - cleaning away of sand from the “SPHINX” o Amenophis III- erected the “Colossi of Memmon”, one of the wonders of the world. o Rameses I-began the construction “Great Hypostyle Hall” at Kharnak o Rameses II -finished the construction of the “Hypostyle Hall” and erection of the “Rock Temple at Abu-Simbel”, and the “Remission”, Thebes. The Ptolemaic Period  Important personalities: o Ptomely II -built the Pharaohs or the “Light House” o Ptomely III -founded the “Greatest Serapeum” at Alexandria. SOCIAL AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE o Monarchy -form of government o Pharaoh -King of Egypt, ruler, highest priest in Egypt o Son of Pharaoh -normal successor to the throne o Vizier -King’s most powerful official o Chancellor -he controls the royal treasuries, granaries and supervises the census o Chief Steward -in charge of the King’s personal estate and household Social Ranks 1. Noble Families-royal throne with his family 2. Soldiers, Viziers, Chancellors, Chief Stewards next to leaders 3. Fishermen, Farmers, Craftsmen, Merchants ordinary Egyptians 4. Slaves -lowest form Pharaoh Pharaoh Menes (3000-2938 BC.) o First Pharaoh of Egypt the first dynasty o Warriors for passion in building o His time was the first build of dam o Mud Bricks structures was the before burial also called mastabas o Died by hit of Pharaoh Djoser (2667- 2648 BC.) o Commissioned the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, designed by architect Imhotep. o This pyramid marked a significant advancement from the traditional mastaba tombs, representing the earliest example of large-scale stone construction. Pharaoh Sneferu (2613-2589 BC.) o Obsessed with achieving engineering perfection to better pyramid o His time build a fortress of buhan fort Pharaoh Sesostris III (1870-1831 BC.) (middle period and will remember as empire’s golden age) o His Objective to secure the southern border so he takes control and to get a Nubian gold o Warriors for passion in building Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1473-1453 BC.) o Join reign with Thutmose III o Architecture of Hatshepsut is Senenmut he builds a temple o Build a obelisks on her timeline to state that she was a descended from a god o Commissioned the impressive Mortuary Temple at Deir el-Bahari, known for its terraces and colonnaded structure. o Her reign marked a period of prosperity and extensive building projects, often overshadowing those of her predecessors. Pharaoh Amenhotep IV (11352-1336 BC.)  o His created a new city (name akatatan) and was call a most powerful man on earth o Use a small lime stone blocks called talatat o Also build a temple called small ottoman temple o He lost his grip in absolute power o His statue was broken off and destroying his image when he was dead meaning it kills the possibility of soul returning to it eternal home Pharaoh Thutmose o He distances himself to his father reign and restore supreme power to the God Amun o Moves Egypt capital back to where it was before o Create the most stunning tombs in Egypt’s history o His tomb was the smallest and simplest in the entire valley Pharaoh Seti I (1294-1279 BC.) o Restore order and absolute power to the kingdom o Created the hypo style hall one of the wonders of ancient architect o Most decorative tomb Pharaoh Ramses II (1279-1212 BC.) o Built the grand temples of Abu Simbel, known for their colossal statues and rock-cut architecture. o Expanded the Karnak Temple complex, adding the Great Hypostyle Hall with its massive columns. o His beloved queen nefertari Pharaoh Khufu: o Commissioned the Great Pyramid at Giza, the largest and most famous of the pyramids. o The pyramid complex included smaller pyramids, temples, and the Sphinx, which may represent Pharaoh Khafre. Pharaoh Senusret I: o Expanded the Karnak Temple complex and commissioned significant architectural works. 5. Architectural Characteristics Simplicity Monumentality Solidity or Massiveness Monumentality and Solidity: o Emphasis on creating massive, enduring structures that conveyed the power and permanence of the pharaohs. o Use of massive stone blocks and thick walls in construction to achieve a sense of grandeur and durability. 6. SYSTEMS OF CONSTRUCTION Post-and-Lintel Construction: o A fundamental architectural system where horizontal beams (lintels) are supported by vertical posts (columns or walls).  o Commonly used in temples, where massive stone columns supported the roof structures (e.g., the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak). Columnar or Trabeated Architecture: o Columns were not only structural but also highly decorative, often carved with hieroglyphs, images of gods, and scenes from the pharaoh’s life. o Different column styles (e.g., papyrus, lotus, and palmiform) symbolized various aspects of Egyptian mythology and natural world. Feature of Egyptian architecture Batter Walls: o Sloped walls that taper inwards as they rise, providing stability and a distinctive visual appearance. Hieroglyphic Decoration: o Walls and columns often covered in hieroglyphic texts and images, telling stories of the gods, the pharaoh’s deeds, and religious rituals. 6. Important Structures and Their Functions Tombs secure the preservation of the body after death till that time should have past Types of Tombs Mastaba - rectangular, flat topped funerary mound Mastaba of Thi- Thi (Royal architecture) Important parts of Mastaba Outer Chamber- where offerings were placed Serdab- statutes of the deceased member of the family Chamber containing the sarcophagus (coffin) – reach by underground shaft Royal Pyramids – evolved from mastaba Types of pyramids Step Pyramid - -Evolved from mastaba e.g. PYRAMID OF KING ZOSER OR ISER-Built by Imhotep BENT OR BLUNT PYRAMID -2 degrees of inclination of slope. e.g. PYRAMID OF SENEFERU SLOPE PYRAMID PARTS OF THE SLOPE PYRAMID a. KING’S CHAMBER b. QUEEN’S CHAMBER c. SUBTERRANEAN CHAMBER d. GRAND GALLERY e. AIRSHAFT ROCK-CUT or ROCK-HEWN TOMBS -cut deep into the mountain rock Tombs of the kings, Thebes Pyramids: THREE FAMOUS PYRAMIDS AT GIZEH built by the 4thDynasty successor of Seneferu GREAT PYRAMID OF CHEOPS or KHUFU  Largest and famous pyramid in Egypt With 3 separate internal chambers. PYRAMID OF CHEPHREN or KAFRA The second of the three at Gizeh PYRAMID OF MYKERINOS or MENKAURA Smallest of the three pyramids at gizeh PARTS OF PYRAMID COMPLEX Elevated Causeway Offering chapel Mortuary Valley bldg. Function: Served as tombs for pharaohs, designed to protect the body and soul for the afterlife. Key Examples: o Great Pyramid of Giza: Built by Pharaoh Khufu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. o Step Pyramid of Djoser: The first large-scale stone structure, marking the transition from mastaba tombs to pyramid construction. Temples: TEMPLES -they were sanctuaries that only kings and priests can penetrate. Function: Centers for worship, religious ceremonies, and offerings to the gods. Two types of Temples MORTUARY TEMPLE -built in honor of the Pharaoh Cult Temple -built for the worship of the ancient and mysterious gods Parts of the Egyptian Temple 1. Entrance Pylon- massive sloping towers fronted by obelisks; known to be the gateway in Egyptian Temple 2. Hypaethral Court-large outer court open to the sky 3. Hypostyle Hall-a pillared hall in which the roof rests on columns 4. Sanctuary-usually surrounded by passages and chambers used in connection with the temple service 5. Avenue of Sphinx -lastly located in the temple other terms: Cella- main body of classical temple Dromos-avenue leading to temples Example of Temples Great Temple of Abu Simbel Great Temple of Ammon, Kharnak -the most grandest temple in Egyptian Temple of Ammon, Der-El-Bahari with; temple of Queen Hatshepsut (three- terraced court) Temple of Elephantine Temple of Hathor, Dendera Temple of Horus, Edfu Temple of Isis, Philae Temple of Khons, Kharnak-built by RamesesIII  Key Examples: o Temple of Karnak: A massive complex dedicated to the god Amun, known for its Hypostyle Hall. o Temple of Luxor: Connected to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes, it was a major religious site in Thebes. o Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut: A uniquely designed temple honoring Pharaoh Hatshepsut, reflecting her reign’s architectural innovation. o Temples of Abu Simbel: Built by Ramses II, these rock-cut temples symbolize his power and devotion to the gods. Obelisks and Sphinxes: Function: Obelisks were monumental pillars often placed at temple entrances, symbolizing the sun god Ra. The Sphinx represented the pharaoh's divine power and protection. Key Examples: o Obelisk of Thutmose III: Originally erected in the Temple of Karnak. o Great Sphinx of Giza: A colossal statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, possibly Khafre. Example of Ramesseum, Thebes-built by RamesesI Capitalsand Columns a. Bud and bell capital b. Hathor-headed capital c. Palm type capital d. Papyrus Capital e. Volute Capital f. Polygonal Columns g. Osiris Pillars h. Square Pillars MOULDINGS GORGE AND HOLLOW TORUS ORNAMENT 1. Quadruple spiral 2. Continuoscoil spiral 4. Grape ornament 3. Lotus and papyrus 5. Rope and feather ornament 6. Rope and Pateraeornament DWELLINGS -Clay models deposited in tombs indicate that ordinary dwellings were crude brick, one or two storeyhigh, with flat or arched ceilings and a parapetedroof partly occupied by a loggia