Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt was a civilization of ancient North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River. It was one of the world's earliest and greatest civilizations, with a history spanning over 3000 years from around 3100 BCE to 332 BCE.

Geography of Egypt

Egypt's civilization developed along the Nile River, the longest river in the world. The predictable annual flooding of the Nile provided fertile soil for agriculture.

Egypt was divided into two regions: Upper Egypt (southern, upstream) and Lower Egypt (northern, downstream). The Nile flows northward into the Mediterranean Sea.

Historical Timeline

c. 3100 BCE

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by King Narmer (Menes)

c. 2686-2181 BCE

Old Kingdom - Age of the Pyramid builders (Great Pyramid built c. 2560 BCE)

c. 2055-1650 BCE

Middle Kingdom - Period of reunification and classical literature

c. 1550-1069 BCE

New Kingdom - Egypt's golden age (Tutankhamun, Ramses II)

332 BCE

Alexander the Great conquers Egypt

Egyptian Gods and Religion

Ra

The sun god, creator of all life, often depicted with a falcon head and sun disk.

Osiris

God of the underworld and resurrection, associated with the afterlife and rebirth.

Isis

Goddess of magic, motherhood, and fertility, wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.

Anubis

God of mummification and the afterlife, depicted with a jackal head.

Horus

The sky god, depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon head, protector of the pharaoh.

Thoth

God of wisdom, writing, and knowledge, often shown with the head of an ibis.

Pyramids and Achievements

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Pharaoh Khufu around 2560 BCE, is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one still standing.

Other achievements include:

Advanced mathematics and geometry
Development of hieroglyphic writing
Medical knowledge and surgical techniques
Calendar system with 365 days
Architectural and engineering marvels