Earthblog

Civilisation in Egypt started in pre-historic times, estimated by some archaeologists to be around 100,000 years ago. Since the late Palaeolithic era (10.000 years BC), the ancient Egyptians considered themselves as a separate nation, calling themselves “The People of Egypt” or “The People of the Earth”. At that time, there were two separate kingdoms in Egypt. The first was founded in Lower Egypt, with Butu as its capital, the papyrus as its emblem, Horus as its deity and the snake as its symbol. The Southern Kingdom had Nekhen as its capital, Seth as its deity and the lotus as its emblem. Several attempts were made to unite both the north and south kingdoms but were unsuccessful until the year 3,200 BC, when King Menes (Narmer) ascended the throne. His rule marked the beginning of written history and the era of dynasties, which followed in succession until the 30th dynasty.

The Old Kingdom (2980 BC - 2475 BC)
During this era, principles of central government were established. Menes was called the King of Both Lands and “Bearer of Both Crowns”. At this time, hieroglyphic writing, i.e. sacred engraving, was devised.

Kings were actively involved in securing the country’s borders and trade between Egypt and Sudan was developed. Egypt then embarked on a glorious period of its history, known as the pyramid-builders’ age, when the first pyramid of Saqqara was built. With the flourishing of agriculture, industry and trade, the first river fleet was also introduced by the Egyptians.

The Middle Kingdom (2160 BC — 1580 BC)
Kings of the Middle Kingdom attended to those projects most beneficial to the people such as irrigation, agriculture and trade. During that era, a canal was dug to connect the Nile with the Red Sea. Mines and quarries were operated and arts and architecture flourished. However, towards the end of this kingdom, Egypt was invaded by the Hyksos in 1957 BC, who occupied and ruled the country for about 150 years.

The New Kingdom (1580 BC — 1150 BC)
At the hands of King Ahmus I, the Hyksos were beaten and expelled from Egypt. And, learning from experience, a strong Egyptian army was built, thus making it possible to create a great empire extending from the Euphrates in the east to the fourth cataract on the River Nile in the south.

This era also witnessed Akhenaton´s religious revolution. He called for the worship of one deity symbolised by the sun. He also built a new capital for Egypt, which he named Aketaton. From the 21st to the 28th dynasty, Egypt was occupied by the Assyrians in 670 BC and by the Persians in 523 BC. The last native dynasty came to an end in 332 BC, when Alexander the Great invaded Egypt and was recognised as a Pharaoh.