History of Architecture - Ancient Egyptian Architecture

Thutmose I

Father of Hatshepsut

Parts of a Mastaba

Chapel, Offering table, Serdab w/ Ka statue, Shaft, blockage, Underground burial chambers

Bricks in Egypt

In Egypt, mud bricks were made of Nile mud, a mixture of clay and sand, sometimes mixed with bits of straw or animal droppings. This was mixed with water to form a malleable mass and then pressed into moulds.

Serdab

a completely enclosed room where the head of a statue of the deceased is contained

Stele

an upright stone slab inscribed with the name of the deceased, funerary texts and relief carvings intended to serve in the event of failure in the supply of daily offerings found in the offering room

Great Sphinx

c. 2500 BCE: Egypt sees the construction of the Great Sphinx of Giza Huge monument "guarding" the great pyramid

Black Land

fertile land on the banks of the Nile River

Pyramid Evolution

mastaba, step, bent, true Massive funerary structure of stone or brick with a square base and four sloping triangular sides meeting at the apex Sides are oriented on the Cardinal point

Geology in Egypt

the availability of building stones such as limestone, alabaster, granite, quartzite and basalt made possible the construction of monumental structures. Clay with chopped straw (sundried bricks)

Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren)

2558 BCE - 2532 BCE b. second-oldest and second largest of the pyramids 6th pyramid, One of the Great Pyramids, had mortuary temple and the sphinx

Rameses IV to XI

1155-1149 BCE to 1107-1077 BCE All of these pharaohs struggled to maintain the empire in the face of incursions from outside forces and internal struggles with the priests of Amun. An episode relating to these struggles, though far from clear, has to do with a man named Amenhotep, High Priest of Amun, who was ousted from his office by the vizier Pinehasy who then had to flee south to Nubia.

Collossi of Memnon

1386-1353 BCE west of the modern city of Luxor and face east looking toward the Nile River They were constructed as guardians for Amenhotep III's mortuary complex which once stood behind them.

Religion in Egypt

Polytheistic belief in the "After-Life", Pharaoh is god Thebad triad - Ammon, Muth, Khons Memphis triad - Ptah, Sekmet, Nefertem

The treaty of kadesh

c. 1258 BCE: The world's first known peace treaty - the Treaty of Kadesh between Egypt and Hittites - is signed. peace treaty signed by Pharaoh Ramses II and Hittite King Hattusili III

Roman Period of Egypt

Constantine declared Christianity as its religion Temples were converted to Churches Marked a DEATH BLOW to Egypts indigenous and traditional architecture

Geography of Ancient Egypt

Crossroads between Africa and Asia minor Nile River and Sahara desert provide natural barriers that cause isolation, Egyptians get a sense of superiority; Nile provides fertile soil since it floods.

Borders of Egypt

South: Aswan/1st cataract/Sudan West: western desert North: Mediterranean sea/Syria East: eastern desert, sinai peninsula, red sea

New kingdom Egypt timeline 19th dynasty

1295 BCE - 1188 BCE: The 19th Dynastic reign begins with the ruler Seti I 1294 BCE - 1279 BCE: The reign of Seti I 1279 BCE - 1212 BCE: Ramesses II, also known as Ramses the Great, rules Egypt c. 1274 BCE: Ramesses II clash with Hittites King Mauwatalli in the Battle of Kadesh c. 1264 BCE - c. 1244 BCE: Abu Simble is constructed c. 1258 BCE: The world's first known peace treaty - the Treaty of Kadesh between Egypt and Hittites - is signed. c. 1184 BCE - 1153 BCE: Ramesses III inherits the throne 1180 BCE: An alliance of naval raiders - Sea Peoples - from the coastal cities begin to become a thorn in the flesh of ancient Egypt; causing immense headaches for rulers such as Ramesses II (1279-1213 BCE), Merenptah (1231-1203 BCE), and Ramesses III (1186-1155 BCE) 1185 BCE - 1178 BCE: Ramesses III takes several steps to halt the incursions made by the "Sea Peoples" 1178 BCE: Ramesses III leads Egypt to a resounding victory over the Sea Peoples

Ahmose I

1549 - 1514 BC Ahmose I is credited with driving the Hyksos from Egypt and reuniting the country under the central rule of Thebes. Ahmose I opened up the rich gold mines in the south of Egypt He expanded Egyptian territory and influence into Nubia Ahmose I opened up the copper mines in Sinai. He increased trading opportunities between his kingdom and cities in Syria. It was during his reign that advances were made in the art of glass making. We know of this because of the discovery of one of the earliest glass beads that had the names of Ahmose I and his successor Amenhotep I. He was responsible for building magnificent temples and buildings. Most notable of those projects were the chapels he built at Abydos. founder of the 18th Dynasty and the New Kingdom of Egypt.

Edwin Smith Papyrus

1600 BC the oldest medical papyrus in the world named after man who once owned it, has 48 detailed descriptions of clinical surgery, described how to diagnose and treat each case, believed to have been work of Imhotep Includes early descriptions of the brain and how it works

Amenemhat III

1818-1770 BCE -successor of Senwosret III; -reign of prosperity; -Nilometer: made to measure inundation; ran an irrigation project that put lots of land under cultivation; -completing a system to regulate the inflow of water into Lake Moeris, in the Al-Fayyūm depression southwest of Cairo -Biahum is a statue/place made to show his success in cultivation; -pyramid at Hawara (about 200 feet) Amenemhat III boasted of no great military victories but built almost as many monuments as his father and was responsible for the great mortuary temple at Hawara known as 'The Labyrinth,' which Herodotus claimed was more impressive than any of the ancient wonders of the world. Amenemhet also worked the turquoise mines at Sinai with unprecedented intensity. Permanent quarters were erected for the miners, with wells nearby and fortifications to repel Bedouin raiders. A temple to the goddess Hathor was also built. Quarries throughout Egypt and Nubia, to the south, likewise were the site of much activity to support the king's building enterprises. His was the last long and successful reign of the 12th dynasty (1938-c. 1756 BCE).

Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth (El-Fayoum)

1860 BC - 1814 BC Adjacent to his pyramid Amenemhat III is believed to have constructed a large funerary cult complex which has become known as 'the Labyrinth'. The Labyrinth has been described by numerous classical authors including the Greek writer Herodotus who described it as surpassing even the wonder of all of the pyramids of Egypt combined. At present, the site has been severely underdeveloped and unexplored with no large-scale archaeological excavation work taking place on the site for over a century.

Mentuhotep II

2040 - 2010 BCE Wahankh Intef II was buried at el-Tarif outside Thebes He was succeeded by Nakhtnebtepnefer Intef III (c. 2063 BCE), who captured Asyut from the Herakliopolitan kings and increased the reach of Thebes. His success was capitalized on by the great prince Mentuhotep II, who defeated Herakleopolis and united Egypt under his rule. Mentuhotep II was considered a 'second Menes' in later inscriptions and praised as the great king who had again brought order to the land. With Mentuhotep II's victory, the First Intermediate Period comes to a close and the period known as the Middle Kingdom begins.

First Intermediate Period in Egypt

2160-2055 BCE -9th - 11th Dynasties - A time of chaos and poverty - Nile floods ceased (no fertile soil, droughts) - Treasury was bankrupt due to pyramid building - Civil wars broke out and invaders fought against weak throne - Not able to farm, can't buy food These rulers of the 9th and 10th Dynasties (whose names and dates are so confused they barely make sense) then claimed the city of Herakleopolis as their capital and proclaimed themselves the true kings of Egypt. Sometimes known as the Dark Ages of Ancient Egypt, the First Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt spanned from the 9th Dynasty to the 11th Dynasty. This period, which translates into about 150 years of rife and disunity, saw Memphis in the north split from Thebes in the south.

Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus)

2490-2472 BCE 7th pyramid, Last of Great Pyramids, considerably smaller than other two, mortuary temple

Min at Koptos

Blocks found at Koptos with the names of Amenemhat I and Senusret I show that both kings built at the Min temple. Several blocks of Senusret I belong to a decorated gateway. Senusret I rebuilt and renovated many temples in Egypt. Koptos is one of them.

Later Period of Egypt

Byzantine period continued in the east Arabs invaded Egypt and Moslem religion was adopted under the Ottoman rule

11th Dynasty of Egypt

C. 2125 BCE a Theban nomarch named Intef, who carried the usual epithets of "great overlord" of the nome and "overseer of priests," rose in power at Thebes and challenged the authority of Herakliopolitan rulers. Intef I founded the 11th Dynasty of Egypt and began the impetus which would lead to the reunification of the country. He is later referenced in the time of the Middle Kingdom as "Intef the Great" and would have a statue raised to his memory in the Temple of Karnak. His enormous tomb of Saff el-Dawaba may still be seen today in the necropolis of el-Tarif near the ruins of Thebes.

Mentuhotep's Mortuary Temple

Deir-el-Bahari, Egypt, 2061-2010 BC the first monument to be constructed in Deir el-Bahri. Although it is a great deal smaller than Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple it clearly formed the inspiration for its design. However, the most profound innovations of Mentuhotep II's temple are not architectural but religious. First, it is the earliest mortuary temple where the king is not just the recipient of offerings but rather enacts ceremonies for the deities (in this case Amun-Ra). Second, the temple identifies the king with Osiris. Indeed, the decoration and royal statuary of the temple emphasizes the Osirian aspects of the dead ruler, an ideology apparent in the funerary statuary of many later pharaohs.

White Chapel at Karnak

Senusret's finest architectural achievement, made of white alabaster. Scenes were carved on walls showing animals, gods, and symbols. The White Chapel was destroyed and recycled for use in the Temple of Karnak but restored between 1927-1930 CE and may still be seen today.

Cities in Egypt

Series of independent city-states Memphis - 3100 BC, founded by menes, located on delta Thebes - Prominent political center even before unification. Heliopolis - Location of cult worshipping the sun god Re, cultural center of Egypt Tanis - Bustling port city Nekhen (Hierakonpolis)- the capital city of Upper Egypt (before Upper and Lower Egypt were united)

Pyramid of Meidum construction

Sneferu began his work with the pyramid at Meidum now referred to as the "collapsed pyramid" or, locally, as the "false pyramid" because of its shape: it resembles a tower more than a pyramid and its outer casing rests around it in a gigantic heap of gravel. The pyramid of Meidum is the first true pyramid constructed in Egypt but did not last. This is because modifications were made to Imhotep's original pyramid design which resulted in the outer casing resting on a sand foundation rather than rock, causing it to collapse. Sneferu learned from his mistake, however, and moved on to his next two pyramids at Dahshur.

Climate in Egypt

Very hot and dry climate > perservation of buildings Brilliant sunshine > simplicity in design Interiors lighted through doors and roof > no windows Unbroken massive walls > hieroglyphics Flat roof of stone term-19> exclude heat

Wahankh Intef II

Wahankh Intef II claimed the title of "King of Upper and Lower Egypt" and conquered the city of Abydos as one of his first acts. Abydos was one of the most ancient communities in Egypt where the early kings were buried, and in taking the city, Wahhankh Intef II was staking his claim as the rightful successor to these early rulers. With Abydos secured, he then waged war periodically with the rulers of Herakleopolis throughout his reign. He erected monuments and built temples to the gods, raising the first monument in honor of the god Amun at Karnak.

Amenhotep III

c. 1386-1353 BCE was the ninth king of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. "Amenhotep III was born into a world where Egypt reigned supreme" built the Colossi of Memnon

Amenhotep II

c. 1426-00 BCE Pharaoh during Hebrew Exodus He is best known as the pharaoh who restored the Great Sphinx at Giza.

Red Land

the name the Egyptians gave the desert land beyond the river valley because it was dry and lifeless

Upper Egypt (South)

the southern part of ancient Egypt, higher elevation upstream

Ramesses I (The 19th Dynasty)

(1292-1290 BCE) Ramesses I was an elderly man when he came to the throne and fairly quickly appointed his son, Seti I, as successor. Ramesses I continued the work begun by Horemheb in rebuilding Egypt's temples and shrines and adding to the great Temple of Amun at Karnak. He authorized Seti I to carry out military expeditions to win back territories lost during the reign of Akhenaten.

Ptolemaic dynasty (The Hellenistic Age)

(323 BCE - 31 BCE) 332 BCE: Following his defeat of the Persian army, Alexander the Great turns his attention to Egypt and takes the land without any resistance from the Egyptians 331 BCE: Alexandria the Great establishes the city of Alexandria, the famous coastal city at the port town of Rhakotis 323 BCE: Alexander the Great dies 323 BCE - 282 BCE: Ptolemy I Soter rules Egypt, which sees the construction of a number of important buildings, including the Great Library - i.e. the Library of Alexandria 285 BCE - 246 BCE: Ptolemy II rules Egypt and continues many of the projects started by Ptolemy I Soter, including the Library of Alexandria and the Lighthouse of Alexandria 276 BCE - 275 BCE: Ptolemy II brings into his rank a number of Celts 259 BCE: Ptolemy II brutally inflicts misery upon the Celts that tried to topple him from the throne 247 BCE: Construction of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria is finished 217 BCE: Ptolemy IV effectively deploy services of thousands of Celts to defeat the Seleucid King Antiochus III at Raphia 69 BCE - 30 BCE: Often associated with the Egyptian goddess Isis, Queen Cleopatra VII reigns over Egypt 47 BCE: Cleopatra VII becomes the sole ruler of the land of Egypt 30 BCE: Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Egypt, bringing an end to the Ptolemaic era in Egypt 30 BCE: Egypt is brought under the rule of Rome

Third Intermediate Period of Egypt

(c. 1075 BCE- c. 653 BCE) During the Third Intermediate Period (Dynasties XXI to XXIV), progress in Egypt was stalled by power struggle among Thebian, the Smendes and Libyans. As a result the Assyrians were able to exploit the situation and rule Egypt for some time. The Third Intermediate Period ends when Psamtik, with the help of some forces from Greece, pushes the Assyrians out of Egypt. 712 BCE - 671 BCE: A Kushite dynasty briefly rules Egypt 671 BCE: Assyrians bring Egypt to its knees and takes Memphis 667 BCE - 665 BCE: Ashurbanipal, the last great king of Assyria, marches his army into Egypt to quell a revolt 653 BCE: Psamtik I rules Egypt and drives out Assyrians from Egypt

Chronology of Predynastic Egypt

(ca 4426-3616 BCE) Early Predynastic (Badarian) (ca 3731-3350 BCE) Middle Predynastic (Naqada IB and IC or Amratian) (ca 3562-3367 BCE) Late Predynastic (Naqada IIB/IIC or Gerzean) (ca 3377-3328 BCE) Terminal Predynastic (Naqada IID/IIIA or Proto-Dynastic) begins ca. 3218 BCE. First Dynasty (rule of Aha)

Construction and tombs (Old kingdom)

-During the Old Kingdom, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx were constructed due to a long-standing peaceful period. -This time period was known as the "Age of Pyramids". -Snefru converted The Pyramid of Meidum, originally a step pyramid, into a smooth sided pyramid we recognize today. He also built the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur. -The 5th dynasty brought about pyramids that were smaller and less substantial than those from the 4th dynasty, however, carvings in the mortuary temples during the 5th dynasty were of extremely high-quality. -Potter's wheel was invented in the 5th dynasty, which was in the Old Kingdom period. -The last important monument built during the Old Kingdom was the Pyramid of Pepi II at Saqqara. -tombs were MASTABA type (normally had a cenotaph) -method of PRESERVING the body- MUMMIFICATION

Technology in Egypt

-embalmed in Linen -Measurement Mathematics 1 cubit - length of the arm to the fingertips -24hour division to the day -created a solar calendar (365 days) -surveying for land measurement and irrigation -hieroglyph -hieratic

Papyrus (Egypt)

2500 BC The papyrus of Egypt is most closely associated with writing - in fact, the English word 'paper' comes from the word 'papyrus' - but the Egyptians found many uses for the plant other than a writing surface for documents and texts. Papyrus was used as a food source, to make rope, for sandals, for boxes and baskets and mats, as window shades, material for toys such as dolls, as amulets to ward off throat diseases, and even to make small fishing boats. Papyrus also served as a political symbol through its use in the Sma-Tawy, the insignia of the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt. This symbol is a bouquet of papyrus (associated with the Delta of Lower Egypt) bound with a lotus (the symbol of Upper Egypt).

Sneferu's Bent Pyramid

2600 BC Dashur Badrshein, Giza Governorate, Egypt It is one of the best-preserved and intact pyramids in all of Egypt due to an exterior polished limestone unlike most of the pyramids in Egypt. rises at a 55-degree angle and then shifts to 43 degrees of smaller stones giving it the appearance of bending in toward the top.

Red Pyramid

2600 BC Dashur, Egypt Al Giza Desert, Giza Governorate, Egypt -Sneferu set out to correct the mistakes that were made in the construction of his that pyramid and the one at Meidum that collapsed during construction -was to be first successful attempt to construct a true pyramid, making it the most direct inspiration for the later 4th Dynasty pyramids at Giza.

Pyramid at Meidum

2600 BC Meidum, Egypt El Wasta, Beni Suef Governorate, Egypt According to this vision, the pyramid would symbolize the benben, the primordial hill, that first piece of land that, after the creation of the solar god Atum, emerged from the waters of the nun, the inert, dark and silent primordial ocean. The pyramid of Meidum is the first true pyramid constructed in Egypt but did not last. This is because modifications were made to Imhotep's original pyramid design which resulted in the outer casing resting on a sand foundation rather than rock, causing it to collapse.

King Sneferu

2613 BCE - 2589 BCE At the beginning of the Fourth Dynasty, Sneferu wanted to go one step further in achieving a perfect pyramid to be his abode of eternity. In this search, the pharaoh built at least three of these great monuments. Contrary to what might be thought, the greatest pyramid builder in the history of Egypt was not Khufu, the pharaoh to whom the Great Pyramid of Giza is owed. That title actually corresponds to his father Sneferu, who, according to scholars have calculated, used for the construction of the three pyramids that are attributed forty percent more cubic meters of stone than his son Khufu, the builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Furthermore, Sneferu was the first Egyptian pharaoh to build a perfect pyramid with smooth faces and to develop the classical structure of Egyptian funerary complexes, which would last for several centuries.

Step Pyramid of Djoser

2650 BCE Saqqara an example of an early construction that shows the evolution of pyramid building For reasons which remain unclear, Djoser's vizier, Imhotep (c. 2667 BCE), conceived of building a more impressive tomb for his king by stacking mastabas on top of one another, progressively making them smaller, to form the shape now known as the Step Pyramid.

King Djoser (Zoser)

2668-2649 BCE The first pharaoh of the Old Kingdom was Djoser, who ruled Egypt from 2630-2611 B.C. He was responsible for the construction of one of the very first pyramids ever built by the ancient Egyptians. His "step" pyramid at Saqqara started the Egyptian tradition of constructing pyramids as burial places for pharaohs.

Hieroglyphics

3100 BC An ancient Egyptian writing system in which pictures were used to represent ideas and sounds

Third Dynasty of Egypt

3150 BCE - 2613 BCE Early Dynastic Period in Egypt. First Kings. c. 2670 BCE Reign of King Djoser in Egypt, builder of the first pyramid. c. 2670 BCE - c. 2613 BCE Third Dynasty in Ancient Egypt. c. 2667 BCE - c. 2600 BCE Attributed dates of Imhotep's medical and architectural achievements. c. 2650 BCE Reign of King Sekhemket in Egypt, builder of the Buried Pyramid. c. 2640 BCE Reign of the King Khaba in Egypt, builder of the Layer Pyramid. c. 2630 BCE - 2613 BCE Reign of King Huni in Egypt, last ruler of the Third Dynasty, Early Dynastic Period.

Narmer Palette

3200-3000 BC The Narmer Palette (also known as Narmer's Victory Palette and the Great Hierakonpolis Palette) is an Egyptian ceremonial engraving, a little over two feet (64 cm) tall and shaped like a chevron shield, depicting the First Dynasty king Narmer conquering his enemies and uniting Upper and Lower Egypt. It features some of the earliest hieroglyphics found in Egypt and dates to c. 3200-3000 BCE. The palette is carved of a single piece of siltstone, commonly used for ceremonial tablets in the First Dynastic Period of Egypt.

Ancient Egypt

3200BC - 1 AD A civilization concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River. Its history occurred in a series of stable Kingdoms, separated by periods of relative instability known as Intermediate Periods: the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom. Ancient civilization located primarily along the Nile River.

Nefertiti bust

A bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti (c. 1370 - c.1336 BCE), the wife of the pharaoh Akhenaten of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. Her name means, `the beautiful one has come'. By the sculptor Thutmose and re-discovered in 1912 CE. (Neues Museum, Berlin)

Rock-cut tombs

A chamber tomb cut into solid rock. In Egypt, this method was used during Middle Kingdom (c 1938-1600 BC); examples are found in cliffs along the Nile, burials in the Valley of the Kings, and tombs of the nobles at Luxor. In the New Kingdom (1539-1075 BC) the kings were buried in rock-cut tombs, but separate mortuary temples continued to be built nearby. Rock-cut tombs are either made directly from a cliff face, by cutting a vertical shaft from the surface, or by a sloping or stepped passage (dromos). Rock-cut tombs are particularly common in the Mediterranean region, where they occur from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. They may be used either for single or collective burial.

Electrum

A natural pale yellow alloy of gold and silver

potter's wheel

A technological advance in pottery making; invented circa 6000 B.C.E.; encouraged faster and higher-quality ceramic pottery products

Amenhotep I

Amenhotep I, also called Amenophis I, king of ancient Egypt (reigned 1514-1493 BCE), son of Ahmose I, the founder of the 18th dynasty (1539-1292 BCE). He effectively extended Egypt's boundaries in Nubia (modern Sudan). Empire reached greatest glory under him; responsible for constructing temples Amenhotep I is best known for his contributions to the arts and religious developments. The Book of Coming Forth by Day (better known as The Egyptian Book of the Dead) attained its final form under his reign and he was the patron of the artist's colony of Deir el-Medina, the village responsible for work done on the tombs in the Valley of the Kings where the great pharaohs were buried.

Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten

Amenhotep IV is better known as Akhenaten (1353-1336 BCE) the pharaoh famous for instituting monotheism in Egypt and banishing the old gods. The time of his reign has come to be known as the Amarna Period because the Egyptian capital was moved from Thebes to modern-day Amarna. He came to the throne as Amenhotep IV but, in the fourth or fifth year of his reign, changed his name to Akhenaten, abolished the old religion - especially the cult of Amun - and elevated the god Aten to the position of the one true god. The transfer to monotheism was undone by King Tutankhamen. His wife was the famous Nefertiti (c. 1370-1336 BCE) best known for the magnificent bust created by the sculptor Thutmose.

Mastaba tombs

Egypt, 2700 BC mud-brick tombs built before the pyramids Prior to Djoser's reign, mastaba tombs were the customary form for graves: rectangular monuments made of dried clay brick which covered underground passages where the deceased was entombed. Arabic word meaning "Bench of Mud" Rectangular flat-topped, funerary mound, with battered sides covering a burial chambel below ground

Hierakonpolis, Egypt

Hierakonpolis, (Greek), Egyptian Nekhen, modern Kawm Al-Aḥmar, prehistoric royal residence of the kings of Upper Egypt and the most important site of the beginning of Egypt's historical period. Evidence indicates a royal presence at Hierakonpolis, then called Nekhen, which enjoyed its period of greatest importance from about 3400 BCE to the beginning of the Old Kingdom (about 2575).

Imhotep

Imhotep is one of the most important non- royal figures in ancient Egyptian history. (2686-2125 BC). Imhotep has the merit of being not only the designer of the first pyramid in Egypt, which makes him also the (first known architect in history), but also that of being the first non-royal person whose existence is documented.

Ipuwer

Ipuwer who lived during the Middle Kingdom criticizes the events that happened four centuries earlier during the First Intermediate Period, after the end of the Old Kingdom. The exact date of the papyrus is unknown. Its surviving copy was made during the New Kingdom (ca. 1550-1070 BC) but the text itself is much older and probably dates back to the Middle Kingdom and the Twelfth Dynasty (1985-1773 BC).

New Kingdom Egypt Pharaohs

It is the most popular era in Egyptian history in the present day with the best known pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty such as Hatshepsut, Thuthmoses III, Amenhotep III, Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti, Tutankhamun, those of the 19th Dynasty like Seti I, Ramesses II (The Great), and Merenptah, and of the 20th Dynasty such as Ramesses III.

Socio Political in Egypt

Monarchy and Pharoah ruled over ancient Egypt Engaged in jewelry making, weaving pottery, literature on papyrus leaves

Architectural Character of Egypt

Monumentality - large scale and grandeur Massiveness - solidity Simplicity

Parts of a pyramid complex

Offering chapel with stele Mortuary temple Causeway leading to the valley building Valley building- embalmment was carried out and interment rites performed

Ipuwer Papyrus

Possibly an Egyptian account of the 10 plagues described Egypt during a period of drought: "Behold, things have been done which have not happened for a long time past; the king has been deposed by the rabble. ... Behold, the magistrates of the land are driven out throughout the land: [. . .] are driven out from the palaces. Behold, noble ladies are now on rafts, and magnates are in the labor establishment, while he who could not sleep even on walls is now the possessor of a bed."

Fast Facts: Predynastic of Egypt

Predynastic Egypt lasted between about 4425-3200 BCE. By 3700 BCE, the Nile was occupied by farmers who grew West Asia crops and animals. Recent research has identified predynastic advances thought to have been developed at later periods.

Rameses III (The 20th Dynasty)

Ramesses III is the last strong pharaoh of the New Kingdom. The power of the priests of Amun had continued to grow once Horemheb revived the old religion and their steady ascent drew revenue and influence away from the throne. As in the time of Akhenaten, the priests of Amun held more land than the pharaoh and commanded greater authority in the provinces. This situation would worsen throughout the Ramessid Period of the 20th Dynasty.

Beni Hasan Tombs

South of el-Minya, Egypt Beni Hasan (also spelt Beni Hassan) was one of the most important provincial necropolis for the high officials in Middle Egypt during the Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties (c. 2010 - 1650 BC). The site boasts large and beautifully decorated rock-cut tombs hewn into the cliffs belonging to some of the most notable nomarchs (administrators) of the period, including Amenemhat Ameny, Khnumhotep II, Khwty and Baqet III, as well as over 800 shaft tombs in the lower cemeteries.

Egyptian Book of the Dead

The Egyptian Book of the Dead is a collection of spells which enable the soul of the deceased to navigate the afterlife. The famous title was given the work by western scholars; the actual title would translate as The Book of Coming Forth by Day or Spells for Going Forth by Day. The Book of the Dead was never codified and no two copies of the work are exactly the same. They were created specifically for each individual who could afford to purchase one as a kind of manual to help them after death.

Montu-temple at El-Tod,

The Egyptian god, Montu was an important falcon headed god early in the history of the Thebean region. Not only was a temple dedicated to him at Thebes, but also nearby in ancient Madu, today's Medamud about eight kilometers northeast of Luxor. In addition, had cult centers at Armant, and Tod. While there was a Middle Kingdom temple built to the god, and possibly even an earlier structure, it was destroyed. That temple was mainly built by Senusret III, with perhaps additions by Nebhepetre Mentuhotep. Kings of the late Middle Kingdom and 2nd Intermediate Period continued to build there, including Amenemhet VII, Sebekhotep II and Sebekhotep III of the 13th Dynasty, and Sebekemzaf I of the 17th Dynasty. We may also see some scattered remains of the New Kingdom and Late Period. The Temple dedicated to the god Montu still exists. Here, Montu is represented by the Buchis bull, which were buried in sacred vaults of the Bucheum near the Temple of Montu.

King Narmer

The Egyptologist Flinders Petrie (1853-1942 CE) concluded that the name 'Menes' was actually an honorific title meaning "he who endures", not a personal name, and the first historical pharaoh of Egypt was Narmer (c. 3150 BCE) whose existence was firmly established both by the written record and archaeological evidence (most notably, the Narmer Palette, a siltstone engraving depicting Narmer's victory over Lower Egypt)

End of the second intermediate period in Egypt

The Hyksos, far from the cruel conquerors of later histories, admired Egyptian culture greatly and adopted it as their own. They lived cordially, if not exactly peacefully, with the government at Thebes until a perceived insult drove the Theban kings to declare war on them and they were driven out. Ahmose I's victory signaled the end of the Second Intermediate Period and the beginning of the New Kingdom.

Temple of Karnak (at Luxor)

The Karnak Temple dates back from around 2055 BC to around 100 AD. It was built as a cult temple and was dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut, and khonsu. Being the largest building for religious purposes ever to be constructed, the Karnak Temple was known as "most select of places" by ancient Egyptians.. During the New Kingdom, the Karnak Temple Complex was the center of the ancient faith while power was concentrated at Thebes (modern-day Luxor) and its significance is reflected in its enormous size.

Middle Kingdom Egypt

The Middle Kingdom (2040-1782 BCE) is considered ancient Egypt's Classical Age during which it produced some of its greatest works of art and literature. Under the prince Mentuhotep II (c. 2061-2010 BCE) the rulers of Herakleopolis were defeated and Thebes became the capital of Egypt.

Ramesses XI

The New Kingdom concludes c. 1069 BCE under his reign as he becomes more of a provincial monarch. The priests of Amun held power at Thebes in Upper Egypt and the Nubians in the south, with no central Egyptian power to hold them in check, took back the lands they had lost under Thuthmose III and the other great pharaohs of the New Kingdom. • Last king of the ramisside era and 20th dynasty -no sons , daughter married smendes

End of Old Kingdom Egypt

The Old Kingdom began to collapse as more and more local governors assumed more power over their regions, and the central government at Memphis was increasingly seen as irrelevant. -At the end of the 6th Dynasty, there was no longer a central government of note and Egypt entered a period of social unrest and reformation known as The First Intermediate Period (2181-2040 BCE) during which Egypt was ruled regionally by local magistrates who made and enforced their own laws. -a severe drought toward the end of the 6th Dynasty brought famine which the government could do nothing to alleviate.

Old Kingdom Egypt

The Old Kingdom lasted from 2686 B.C. to 2181 B.C. It included the 3rd through the 6th dynasty The capital city of the Old Kingdom was Memphis.

Predynastic Egypt

The Predynastic period in Egypt is the name archaeologists have given to the 1,500 years before the emergence of the first unified Egyptian state society. By about 4500 BCE, the Nile region was occupied by cattle pastoralists; by about 3700 BCE, the predynastic period was marked by the transition from pastoralism to a more sedentary life based on crop production. Emigrant farmers from south Asia brought sheep, goats, pigs, wheat, and barley. Together they domesticated the donkey and developed simple farming communities. More importantly, within about 600-700 years, Dynastic Egypt was founded.

Temple of Karnak overview

The Temple of Amun is the largest religious building in the world (though some claim Angkor Wat in Cambodia is larger) It was built gradually over the centuries, with each new ruler adding to it, from the beginning of the Middle Kingdom (2040 - 1782 BCE) through the New Kingdom (1570 - 1069 BCE) and throughout the Ptolemaic Dynasty (323 - 30 BCE).

Temple of Satet on Elephantine

The ancient island of Elephantine, opposite modern Aswan in southern Egypt This temple complex is located on Elephantine Island next to Aswan. It was dedicated to Satet and her husband Khnoum. It was built by Montuhotep II (2055 - 2004 BCE)

King Menes (Narmer) (Hor-Aha)

The engraving depicts a victorious Egyptian king unifying the land under his rule. Traditionally, this king was known as Menes, the first king of the Early Dynastic Period who united Upper and Lower Egypt through conquest. His predecessor, according to the 3rd century BCE historian Manetho, was a king named Narmer, who sought to unify the country through peaceful means. Menes has been associated with Narmer and also with Menes' successor, Hor-Aha, who is also credited with the unification of Egypt. Manetho's original chronology has been lost but is quoted extensively in the works of later writers. In the early days of Egyptology, Manetho's list (apart from the gods-as-kings which begin it) was taken as fact but, as more artifacts and temples were discovered, this view shifted. The claim of Menes as the first king of the First Dynasty grew increasingly hard to maintain as no archaeological record of such a king surfaced, and when the rare Menes artifact did come to light, it did not seem to designate explicitly the first king of the First Dynasty (which is why the name 'Menes' is associated with three different rulers)

Archaeology and the Predynastic

The most recent studies have revealed the extensive regional diversity, not just between Upper and Lower Egypt, but within Upper Egypt. Three principal regions are identified in Upper Egypt, centered on Hierakonpolis, Nagada (also spelled Naqada) and Abydos. Predynastic Capitals: -Adaïma -Hierakonpolis -Abydos -Naga ed-Der -Gebel Manzal el-Seyl

Why is the bent pyramid bent

The pyramid is called bent due to miscalculations & engineering problems regarding the structure and the limestone blocks which led to the weight of the entire pyramid being distributed inappropriately which resulted in the bottom section has of an angle of 54 degrees 15 minutes while the top half has an inclination of 43 degrees causing the structure to be known as " The Bent Pyramid "

Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth (El-Fayoum) Construction

The resulting stabilization of the water level also drained some of the marshes that had surrounded the old lake. As part of this great work, the labyrinth described by the Greek historian Herodotus was probably built nearby, south of one of Amenemhet's pyramids at Hawara, in Al-Fayyūm. It was probably a multifunctional building—palace, temple, town, and administrative centre. To celebrate the reclamation of 153,600 acres (62,200 hectares) of land for agricultural use, Amenemhet erected two colossi of himself nearby, also described by Herodotus. A second pyramid, located at Dahshūr, was built for his interment.

Menutuhotep I

The second king of the 11th Dynasty, Menuhotep I (c. 2115 BCE) declared Thebes the true capital of Egypt and began the process of reunification by conquering neighboring nomes. This would continue through the reigns of the kings who followed him but especially by Wahankh Intef II (c. 2112-2063 BCE).

Cenotaphs

The word cenotaph is derived from the Greek kenos taphos, meaning "empty tomb." A cenotaph is a monument, sometimes in the form of a tomb, to a person or group of persons buried elsewhere. Ancient Greek writings tell of many cenotaphs, although none of them survives.

Nile River

The world's longest river, which flows northward through East Africa into the Mediterranean Sea

Fall of New Kingdom Egypt

This division of rule between Thebes in Upper Egypt and Ramesses XI's reign in Lower Egypt resulted in the same kind of disunity which characterized the First and Second Intermediate Periods. Again there was no strong central government in Egypt and the policies of the past which had preserved the empire were no longer effective. Historian Margaret Bunson writes how the Ramessid pharaohs had "little military or administrative competence" after Ramesses III and that "the 20th Dynasty, and the New Kingdom, was destroyed when the powerful priests of Amun divided the nation and usurped the throne"

Hashepsut

Thutmose I was succeeded by Thutmose II (1492-1479 BCE) about whose reign little is known because he was instantly overshadowed by his more powerful half-sister Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BCE) is among the most powerful and successful of the New Kingdom monarchs. She had one child with Thutmose II and he had another by a minor wife whom he designated as successor, Thutmose III (1458-1425 BCE). Hatshepsut was named regent of Egypt upon Thutmose II's death and ostensibly co-ruled with the child Thutmose III but she had been the power behind her husband's reign and continued to do as she thought best after his death. Hatshepsut is responsible for more building projects than any other Egyptian ruler except for Ramesses the Great (1279-1213 BCE).

Ramesses II (the Great)

When he died, Seti I (1290-1279 BCE) took the throne and continued the reformation and revitalization of Egypt, adding his own touches to the grand project at Karnak and grooming his successor for rule. His son, Ramesses II (known as The Great, 1279-1213 BCE) is the best known pharaoh of Egypt in the modern day because of his long association with the unnamed Egyptian ruler in the biblical Book of Exodus and his depiction in film adaptations of that story. he moved the capital from Thebes to a new city he built at Avaris called Per-Ramesses (also known as Per-Ramesu)

End of Middle Kingdom Egypt

When she died without an heir the 12th Dynasty ended and the 13th began with the reign of Sobekhotep I (c. 1802-1800 BCE). The 12th Dynasty was the strongest and most prosperous of the Middle Kingdom. The 13th Dynasty faltered and a stronger power rose to take its place. The Hyksos, although they were foreigners, continued to respect the religion and culture of Egypt and seem to have benefited the country more than later historians give them credit for.

hypostyle hall

a large interior room characterized by many closely spaced columns that support its roof Most Ancient Egyptian temples possessed a hypostyle hall. Hypostyle is an Ancient Greek term denoting a building having rows of columns supporting its roof. As befitting a "divine mansion," Egyptian temples were imposing structures often built of stone on a large scale. Some even had two or more hypostyles.

Abu Simbel Temple

between 1264 - 1244 BCE or 1244-1224 BCE Egypt Abu Simbel is an ancient temple complex, originally cut into a solid rock cliff, in southern Egypt and located at the second cataract of the Nile River. The Great Temple stands 98 feet (30 metres) high and 115 feet (35 metres) long with four seated colossi flanking the entrance, two to each side, depicting Ramesses II on his throne; each one 65 feet (20 metres) tall.

Papyrus of Ani

c. 1275-1250 BCE The Papyrus of Ani, a text of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, was prepared for the priest Ani of Thebes (c. 1250 BCE) and included among the grave goods of his tomb. It includes a number of chapters from the Book of the Dead. It is among the most richly illustrated of all surviving copies of the Book of the Dead, which was also called the "Book of Going Forth by Day".

Horemheb

c. 1320 BCE - 1292 BCE: Pharaoh Horemheb, previously an army commander during the reigns of Ay and Tutankhamun, takes the throne of Egypt; Horemheb does everything humanly possible to remove the names of heretic kings - Akhenaten and Tutankhamun - from the history records. Horemheb championed the old religion and the traditions of ancient Egypt. Under Akhenaten's reign relationships with other nations, and the infrastructure of Egypt itself had been neglected. Horemheb restored Egypt to its former stature even though he could not raise it to the height it had known under Amenhotep III. He died without an heir and was succeeded by his vizier Paramesse who took the throne name Ramesses I (1292-1290 BCE) who began the 19th Dynasty.

Tutankhaten/Tutankhamun

c. 1336 BCE - c. 1327 BCE Upon Akhenaten's death he was succeeded by his young son Tutankhaten who swiftly changed his name to Tutankhamun (1336-1327 BCE), moved the capital back to Memphis, restored the religious center of Thebes (which also held political significance), re-opened the temples, and brought back the old religion to Egypt.

Hatshepsut Mortuary Temple (temple of hatshepsut)

c. 1473-1458 BCE Deir el-Bahri, Egypt The building was modeled after the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II (c. 2061-2010 BCE) The entire structure was designed to blend organically with the surrounding landscape and the towering cliffs and was the most striking tomb complex raised in Upper Egypt and the most elaborate created since the Old Kingdom. The temple was designed by Hatshepsut's steward and confidante Senenmut, who was also tutor to Neferu-Ra and, possibly, Hatshepsut's lover.

New kingdom Egypt timeline 18th dynasty

c. 1520 BCE: Ahmose I reunites the Egypt, paving the way for the various dynasties of the New Kingdom c. 1550 BCE - 1070 BCE: Egyptian Book of the Dead is composed c. 1504 BCE - 1492 BCE: Thutmose I steers the affairs of Egypt in such adept manner that ancient Egypt peaks in terms of development c. 1479 - 1458 BCE: Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's greatest rulers, ascends to the throne of Egypt c. 1458 BCE - 1425 BCE: The reign of Thutmose III c. 1458 BCE: Thutmose III clash with King Durusha, the king of Kadesh and leader of the Canaanite alliance mainly composed of Mitanni, Megiddo and Kadesh c. 1386 BCE - c. 1353 BCE: Amenhotep III reigns over one of the most prosperous periods in ancient Egypt's history c. 1353 BCE - c. 1336 BCE: Reign of Egypt's 'Heretic King' Pharaoh Akhenaten c. 1336 BCE - c. 1327 BCE: Tutankhamun, the boy-king of Egypt, reigns c. 1334 BCE: Tutankhamun, previously called Tutankhamen - in honor of the god Aten, begins a massive reform program to revert Egypt to its polytheistic traditions and pantheon of gods c. 1327 BCE - 1323 BCE: Ay succeeds Tutankhamun and then goes on to reign for about five or so years. c. 1320 BCE - 1292 BCE: Pharaoh Horemheb, previously an army commander during the reigns of Ay and Tutankhamun, takes the throne of Egypt; Horemheb does everything humanly possible to remove the names of heretic kings - Akhenaten and Tutankhamun - from the history records. c. 1303 BCE: One of Egypt's most famous rulers, Ramesses II, is born c. 1295 BCE - 1294 BCE: Ramesses I reigns

New Kingdom Egypt

c. 1570- c.1069 BCE The New Kingdom is the most completely documented period in Egyptian history. Literacy had expanded during the Middle Kingdom (2040-1782 BCE) and Second Intermediate Period so that, by the time of the New Kingdom, more people were writing and sending letters. The New Kingdom is most famous for the burial place of its rulers. Around the middle part of the second millennium BCE, Tutmosis I became the first pharaoh to be buried in the Valley of the Kings. For the next 500 years or so, Egyptians would use that place to bury their kings and rulers.

Second Intermediate Period in Egypt

c. 1782 - c.1570 BCE This era is marked by a divided Egypt with the people known as the Hyksos holding power in the north, Egyptian rule at Thebes in the center of the country, and Nubians ruling in the south. This period begins as the Egyptian rulers of the 13th Dynasty move the capital from Itj-tawi (in Lower Egypt near Lisht, south of Memphis) back to Thebes, the old capital of the late 11th Dynasty in Upper Egypt, loosening their control over the north.

Sobekneferuthe first woman to rule Egypt) since the Early Dynastic Period

c. 1807-1802 BCE Upon his death the throne went to his sister (or wife) Sobekneferu about whose reign little is known. Sobekneferu is (the first woman to rule Egypt) since the Early Dynastic Period unless one accepts the queen Nitiqret (Nitocris) of the 6th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom as historical. The debate over the historicity of Nitocris has been going on for decades and is no closer to a resolution but many scholars (Toby Wilkinson and Barbara Watterson among them) now accept her as an actual person rather than a myth Herodotus created. That aside, Sobekneferu reigned centuries before Hatshepsut, the woman often cited as Egypt's first female monarch, and to rule with full royal powers as a man. A woman named Neithhotep (c. 3150 BCE) and another, Merneith (c. 3000 BCE), are thought to have ruled in their own names and by their own authority in the Early Dynastic Period but these claims are contested.

Amenemhat IV

c. 1815-1807 BCE Amenemhat III was succeeded by Amenemhat IV, who continued his policies. He finished his father's building projects and initiated many of his own. Military and trade expeditions were launched numerous times during his reign and trade flourished with cities in the Levant, especially Byblos, and elsewhere. The policy of the co-regency, if it was actually followed, which had ensured a smooth transition of power from ruler to ruler now failed in the case of Amenemhat IV who had no male heir to groom for success.

Obelisk of Senusret I

c. 1971-1926 BCE It is now in the Al-Masalla (Obelisk in Arabic) area of Al-Matariyyah district near the Ain Shams district (Heliopolis), a northeastern suburb of Cairo. It is 67 feet tall and weighs 120 tons or 240,000 pounds. The only Egyptian obelisk still standing in its original position is that of Senusret I at the site of a former temple to the sun god at Heliopolis. Huge monolith, square in plan and tapering to its sacred part, ELECTRUM - capped pyramid at the summit

Senusret I

c. 1971-1926 BCE Middle Kingdom Senusret I (Middle Egyptian: z-n-wsrt; /suʀ nij ˈwas.ɾiʔ/) also anglicized as Sesostris I and Senwosret I, was the second pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt. Who erected the earliest known obelisk at Heliopolis. Craftspeople thrived. Accomplishments in religious architecture, art and literature. Senusret I began these policies by draining the lake at the center of the Fayyum through the use of canals. This not only made the fertile land of the lake bottom available for agriculture but freed up the water for easier access by more people. Senusret I is attested to be the builder of a number of major temples in Ancient Egypt, including the temple of Min at Koptos, the Temple of Satet on Elephantine, the Montu-temple at Armant and the Montu-temple at El-Tod, where a long inscription of the king is preserved. [9]

Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)

c. 2560: Giza, Modern day Cairo Pharaoh Khufu (2589 - 2566 BCE), also known as Cheops of the 4th Dynasty, constructs a magnificent pyramid - the Great Pyramid of Giza Perfectly aligned limestone blocks creating the biggest building in the world, in terms of mass. Allegedly designed by pharaoh's nephew Hem Iwno. the great pyramid of Giza, oldest and largest of the three pyramids in Giza

Fourth Dynasty of Egypt

c. 2613 to 2494 BC where we see first *true* pyramids like Sneferu and great pyramids of Giza The Fourth Dynasty of Egypt is recognized as the golden age of the Old Kingdom period. During this dynasty's reigning period, it was peaceful and trade is documented about this country. The capital at the time of this dynasty was Memphis.

First Dynasty of Egypt - Second Dynasty of Egypt

c. 3200 BCE - c. 3000 BCE Probable dates for creation of Narmer Palette. 3150 BCE - 2613 BCE Early Dynastic Period in Egypt. First Kings. c. 3150 BCE - c. 3100 BCE Reign of Menes, a.k.a. Narmer, first king who is thought to have unified Upper and Lower Egypt. 3150 BCE - c. 2890 BCE First Dynasty in Ancient Egypt. c. 3100 BCE - c. 3050 BCE Reign of Hor-Aha. c. 3050 BCE - c. 3000 BCE Reign of Djer. c. 3000 BCE - c. 2990 BCE Reign of Djet. c. 2990 BCE - c. 2940 BCE Reign of Den, greatest of the First Dynasty Kings. c. 2990 BCE Reign of Merneith, first female ruler of Egypt. c. 2940 BCE - c. 2930 BCE Reign of Anedjib. c. 2930 BCE - c. 2920 BCE Reign of Semerkhet. c. 2920 BCE - c. 2890 BCE Reign of Qa'a, last pharaoh of the First Dynasty of Egypt. c. 2890 BCE - c. 2670 BCE Second Dynasty in Ancient Egypt.

Late period of Egypt

c. 601 BCE: Nebuchadnezzar II, undoubtedly the greatest king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (626-539), fails to conquer Egypt 525 BCE - 404 BCE: Egypt falls to the Persian Empire c. 525 BCE: Persia's Cambyses II conquers the city Pelusium and then turns his attention to the Egyptians c. 530 BCE: The great architect from the Early Dynastic period, Imhotep, is deified by the Egyptians; many worship him as the son of Ptah, the creator god c. 520 BCE: Darius the Great, King of Persia, constructs a canal to connect the Nile River to the Red Sea 340 BCE: Virtually all of Egypt comes under the control of Persia

Lower Egypt (North)

downstream the northern part of ancient Egypt where the Nile River forms a delta as it empties into the Mediterranean Sea Lower Egypt (Maadi culture) appears to have developed farming communities first, with the spread of farming from Lower Egypt (north) to Upper Egypt (south).

Hieratic Script

hieratic script, ancient Egyptian cursive writing, used from the 1st dynasty (c. 2925-c. 2775 bce) until about 200 bce simplified version of hieroglyphics used in ancient Egypt for business transactions, record keeping, and the general needs of daily life written in ink