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1. Detail the importance of the Nile River to Egypt.

The Nile is the longest river in the world, running through a total of 4,160 miles. The luscious green and rich land located on the banks of the Nile hosted the zig zags and patterns of Egyptian towns and cities that ran along it. Infact, the Egyptians were so grateful for the Nile that they began to worship it as a divine force. Not only was it divine, it was the sole foundation of the ancient Egyptian civilization, allowing annually rejuvenated soil for farming and agriculture, excellent transportation, direct trade routes throughout Egypt and northern Africa, and a source of fresh water for citizens. It also provided a habitat for the Water Lilly, which became the national symbol of Egypt.

Bibliography:

"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Nile_R02.jpg/800px-Nile_R02.jpg"

"Gift of the Nile" Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations. By Rosie Beniretto and Clay Elliott. Vol. 2. Houston: St. John's School, 2012. 125. Print.

Class video notes entitled "Egypt".

- Max Blekhman

2. How and why did the Egyptian view of life differ from the Mesopotamian outlook? (open for correction rb)

The Egyptian life differed from the Mesopotamian outlook in the way they acted, socialized, and their overall life. The Egyptian lived by the Nile, a fresh farming land that provided necessary food, water, and shelter. Because of their excellent farming conditions, the Egyptians were successful. As we know, the Mesopotamians were very pessimistic people, but the Egyptians were very optimistic. As a result, the Egyptians had more success at communicating with others and thus having a more successful life.

Site: Manual

-Sophie Clayton

CORRECTIONS:

In addition, The Egyptian view of life was much different from the Mesopotamian outlook because the Egyptians did not feel threatened by enemies. The Nile River brought fertile soil every Inundation, but past the thin strip of moist land, there was hundreds of miles of desert. This prevented enemies from attacking the important cities spread throughout the Nile. Also, near Lower Egypt, there are rapids, so enemies would have had a hard time sailing down through the delta. On the other hand, many cities in Mesopotamia had no natural borders. Enemies could easily seize cities by the dozens. In this way, the Egyptians felt protected and could spend less time and money on defense and more on trade. The Mesopotamians, however, had to have massive armies and walls to protect themselves from other nations.

-Courtney Jacobs

Source: Beniretto, Rosie, and Clay Elliot, comps. Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations. Vol. 1. Houston: St. John's School, 2012. Print.

3. What lay at the heart of Egyptian civilization? (open for correction rb)

The heart of the Egyptian civilization was the Nile river. This amazing stretch of water created a sancuary of green, and prosperity in a barren desert. The Nile river also connected a community of people along the river and allowed for a fast and easy spread of goods, people, and ideas. The many marshes created by the Niles delta, also resulted in the plant papyrus, leading egypt to a whole new range of product and ideas that they could make from this new plant.

Site: "The Gift of the Nile" video notes

~Frances Hellums

CORRECTIONS

The Nile played a significant part in the daily lives of the Egyptian people. However, the more significant aspect to Egyptian life was the idea of prehistoric kinghship and the symbols, myths, and traditions surrounding it. The tradition of kingship was one of the true cultural foundations of Ancient Egypt.^[1]

~Christian Maines

4. What was significance of the temple in this civilization?

The temple represented creation and served to keep Egypt stable. The temple served as a symbol of the original mound of creation on which the first life, the hawk, had landed. In addition, the temple represented the bridge between the gods and humans, where they handed down a "pattern of a stable society" that would become Egypt. This stable society, as it is believed, will last for eternity as long as the Egyptians keep the gods happy by correctly performing the rituals and keeping customs. Since the pharaoh was a living god, keeping him happy by submitting to his rule and building lavish tombs would keep the rest of the gods happy. These actions would provide an ample Inundation period for a good harvest that year. In this way, the temple represented creation and kept Egypt stable.

This is an example of an Egyptian temple, the temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel.

Source: Manual page 126 (Beniretto, Rosie, and Clay Elliot, comps. Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations. Vol. 1. Houston: St. John's School, 2012. Print. )

Picture: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/abu-simbel-photos/slides/ramses-temple-c-beck

-Courtney Jacobs

5. Name and explain the mainstays of Egyptian civilization.'''Open for extra credit answer rb

Extra credit Answer:

The mainstays of later Egypt were laid out in the predynastic period. The eight principle mainstays are efficient farming, pottery, stone- working, metal- working, centrally organized irrigation, ceremonial and monumental architecture, elaborate burials, and long-distance trade. Divine kingship was already a prerequisite to keeping a stable country.

This picture shows a work of pottery, which is a mainstay, in Ancient Egypt.

-Victoria Lima

Sources: Manual p.127

Image from: http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/pottery.htm

6. Describe the key themes of Egyptian history.

There are three main key themes of Egyptian history. They were set down early in their civilization. These themes are centralized power, royal rituals, and the cult of the dead. All of these three themes are intertwined to create the ideology of the world's first state.

Centralized power is putting all the sources of power in one place. This includes a capitol city, and a commonplace where all the people who ruled are.(correction needed rb)

Royal rituals includes the example in, Eater of Souls when the people must bow down to King Tut and kiss his feet.(correction needed rb)

Cult of the dead is to preserve the memory of the dead by using drawings of them placed on their graves or tombs. There is usually another usually and inscription with their names and achievements as well. It began with the portrait statue of King Djoser (second king of the 3rd dynasty [c. 2686–c. 2613 bc]), found in his step pyramid. For more information about the cult of the dead, visit: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/154596/death-rite/66364/Cult-of-the-dead#ref538175

-Victoria Lima

Sources:

Manual p. 127

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/154596/death-rite/66364/Cult-of-the-dead#ref538175

Image from: www.gks.uk.com/hathor-isis-egyptian/

7. Explain the role of the pyramid and the legitimization of authority in Egypt.

The pyramids were built with the intention to legitimize the authority of the Pharaohs over the peoples of Egypt. These massive stone structures were symbolic of the Pharaohs’ ascension into godhood. The idea that the Pharaohs were able to have the pyramids constructed proves that the pharaohs commanded significant, if not absolute power over their subjects.

^[2]

It was believed that the pyramid served as a venue for the pharaoh buried within the tomb to become a manifestation of the Sun God. The architectural and physical marvel that is the pyramids shows us that the pharaoh was equivalent to god in the eyes of the people. The pyramids served as a form of legitimization of authority as they proved that the ruler had a divine right to rule over his people.^[3]

8. Give as many reasons for the collapse of the Old Kingdom as possible.

The Old Kingdom existed from about 2700 - 2100 BC. The highest point of the Old Kingdom was the Pyramid Age, and a huge population increase also occurred. This population increase put greater pressure on expanding the land that was flooded each year by the Nile so that there could be more fertile farming areas. Instead of an increase in the farming land, there was a decrease. An extended dry period arrived in Egypt and brought with it low floods and famine. In addition to the famine, a series of bad government officials reigned, their monarchy was overthrown, and for a time, Egypt reverted back to being two separate lands. All of these things ultimately led to the collapse of the Old Kingdom.

[[1]]

Sources:

Manual pg. 127 - 128

http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/the_end_of_the_old_kingdom.htm

Lena Musallam

9. What kind of state or society existed in the Middle Kingdom?. Give Examples

^[4]

The Middle Kingdom was a provider state- there was a simple standard of living among the population that used the resources of the Nile. The rulers spent the surplus of resources on buildings like tombs, temples and palaces. The great buildings expressed the ruler's power. During this era, it is believed that there were little revolts against the Pharaoh and no one seriously considered replacing the divine king. ^[5]

For more information: http://www.education.com/study-help/article/ancient-history-early-civilization-middle-kingdom-egypt/

Annie Ren

10. What changes occurred in the New Kingdom?.

The New Kingdom brought many changes. The state became a more “pluralistic society”, which means it consisted of many different cultures. ^[6] Their society welcomed diversity and embraced it contrary to the hierarchy where every person knew their rank during the Pyramid Age. Priests and government officials still played a big role in passing down the state myth given from Menes. The king also had a lot less power, but he was still considered divine. The New Kingdom was also very political. Those who dealt with economics took over the daily life of the state. The kingdom changed from “the sublime theocratic unity of Khufu: it had become a self-directed polity held together by customary right and obligations…incorporating regional groups, local traditions and immemorial predilections” ^[7] The New Kingdom also brought new architecture and art. Pharaohs constructed many buildings and temples to show off how rich they were. Temples were considered very important, with cities build around a central temple. Pharaohs also controlled the news carved on temple walls, an early form of propaganda. Another big change was the burial process. Instead of pyramids, people were buried in tombs which were extravagantly decorated. ^[8]

Christina Ru

11. Detail the greatest change in thinking in the first millennium B.C.

In the first millennium B.C., or the time of the New Kingdom in Egypt, a new way of life was forming.The "...state seem[ed] to have developed into a more pluralistic society..."(pg.129). More paths of work and ways to move up the social ladder, led to a much more individualistic society. The pharaoh had much less real power. There were still classes, but men could strive to move out of one class and into another. This way of thinking is still in use today in the US. Egypt and the US are very similar to each other in the fact that they are both optimistic civilizations. Both believe life is good and during the New Kingdom, people felt that they were there own person to control.

-Hayden Simmons

Sources: CF Manual.

12. Explain what Ibn Khaldun, the Islamic historian, meant when he called Egypt the best example of the habit of civilization.

13. How did the Egyptians conceive of the universe and the civil state?

14. Define and explain the concept of ma'at.

Ma'at is defined as all truth, rightness, and order of the universe. Keeping ma'at in balance was incredibly important to the Egyptians, and it was the pharaoh's responsibility to preserve Ma'at. How would one know that Ma'at is in balance? ...

1. ↑ Manual pg. 126
2. ↑ "Egypt in Our Eyes." Cross-Cultural Blog. Stanford, 3 Mar. 2009. Web. 8 Feb. 2013. <http://www.stanford.edu/group/ccr/blog/2009/03/egypt_in_our_eyes.html>.
3. ↑ Manual pg. 128
4. ↑ Middle Kingdom- Court of the Tomb of Daga. Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn Museum, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2013.
5. ↑ Beniretto, Rosie and Clay Elliot comps. Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations. Vol. 2. Houston: n.p., 2013. 129. Print.
6. ↑ Beniretto, Rosie and Clay Elliot comps. Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations. Vol. 2. Houston: n.p., 2013. 129. Print.
7. ↑ Beniretto, Rosie and Clay Elliot comps. Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations. Vol. 2. Houston: n.p., 2013. 129. Print.
8. ↑ "Art & Architecture." PBS. Devillier Donegan Enterprises, 15 Mar. 2006. Web. 10 Feb. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/ architecture.html>.