Egypt+(early)+59-69

= **Egypt Early (59-69)** =

Early Agricultural Society in Africa
Egypt was one of the most prominent agricultural societies of the time but was not the only complex, city-based society in Africa. Nubia was of about equal power with Egypt but was somewhat less prosperous but equal in measure of sophistication. Egypt set up trade with eastern Mediterranean people and southwest Asian people as well. Meanwhile Nubia connected the eastern Mediterranean basin and that of the sub-Saharan Africa with Egypt. (S.N)

Climate Change and the Development of Agriculture in Africa
After African agriculture emerged during a time when gra dual but momentous changes in 10,000 B.C.E (i.e. Sahara desert was grassy, tons of lakes, plenty of rivers,etc.) In 9000 B.C.E people of eastern Sudan start to domesticate animals while collecting wild grains and by 7500 B.C.E started to establish permanent settlements while growing sorghum (grain used to feed animals and people). While in 8000 B.C.E people of western Sudan start to grow yams. Between 7000-6500 B.C.E Sudanic people are introduced to sheep, goats, yams, watermelons, and cotton. In 5000 B.C.E many Sudanic people organize monarchies ruled by kings who were thought of as being divine or semi-divine beings. When a king died a ritual was held where royal servants would be slaughtered in order to serve the king in death. There was also another being that was the source with good and evil and also associated with rain which was **VERY** important to agricultural society. After 5000 B.C.E half of Africa started facing more climate changes every time becoming warmer and drier than the time before making good farming soil into arid desert. Which led to herders and farmers moving closer to other water sources (i.e. Lake Chad and Nile River). (S.N) Since the Sahare became uninhabitable the people migrated to the fertile Nile Region. Every year here the flooding of this river created a layer of rich, fertile muck after receding to its main channel. Here the inhabitants could cultivate their crops easily, whereas if they would've stayed in the nearby Sahara, they would've became extinct. (Sean N.)

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Agriculture greatly affected the Nile River valley, mainly in Egypt and Nubia. While Egypt occupied the lower part of the Nile River, Nubia was towards the middle area. This caused Egypt to have a greater floodplain area than Nubia, so Egyptians could be supported by the Nile's annual floods. The floods left behind rich nutrients for crops and therefore caused Egypt to have a larger population. After the Nile had flooded, cultivators would sow their seeds during the summer, and the harvest them in the winter. Since the Nubians' didn't have a large floodplain, they relied more on fields irrigated by waters from the Nile. Egypt was referred to as " the gift of the Nile" by Herodotus (a Greek historian) because of the country's success. As the Sahara became drier and hotter, societies from the Sahara migrated to the Nile River valley. Other travelers and migrants from places like like the Red Sea hills came to Egypt and Nubia, where they introduced gathering of wild grains and a Coptic language that was later known as the language of ancient egypt. As the African climate became hotter, Sudanic peoples migrated to the Nile valley. They introduced crops like gourds and watermelons to Egypt and Nubia. They also introduced animals like cattle and donkeys. Other crops like wheat and barley later reached Egypt and Nubia from Mesopotamia through the Mediterranean and the Nile. Population increases forced Egypt to come up with more complex ways of agriculture. Cultivators began to move to higher land that needed plowing and cautious preparation. In order to keep fields from flooding, cultivators built dikes, also used to store water in basins for irrigation. As population increased in Egypt and Nubia, public affairs were also arranged. Trade was common among villages across the Nile valley, as well as the building of irrigation networks. Egypt and Nubia did not have to worry about attacks from other societies because the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and deserts like the Sahara served as barriers of the countries. States and small kingdoms began to emerge in Egypt and Nubia around 4000 B.C.E. and 3300 B.C.E. These were the first small kingdoms to appear in a society and they coordinated public life in Egypt and Nubia. Rulers of the small kingdoms were often accompanied by their royal servants when they were deceased. (?) Also in these small kingdoms, were official authorities recognized because the need for organized community projects. (Sean N.) =====

The Unification of Egypt
One of the first strong kingdoms of the Nile states was the Nubian Kingdom of Ta-Seti flourishing from 3400-3200 B.C.E. Shortly after this, Egypt comes into play large and prosperous by 3100 B.C.E. From here, an Egyptian ruler, named Menes, forms Memphis (near present day Cairo) and uses it as the capital and political center of Egypt. Menes unites upper and lower Egypt and the pharaohs start to become all powerful. They are seen as gods, and in ancient artwork they are portrayed as huge human beings that towered over the regular. The archaic period begins in 3100 B.C.E. and doesnt fall until 2660 B.C.E. In this period the great pyramids of Giza are built, Khufu (Cheops) being the biggest. These pyramids are a testimony to show how the pharaohs could muster up the Egyptian resources and build these pyramids which contained millions of blocks. The Old Kingdom is also an era that comes shortly after from 2160-2040 B.C.E. During these two periods, fighting between Egypt and neighboring Nubia occurs. Egypt then destroys the powerful Ta-Seti. Egypt was seeking gold, ivory, ebony, and precious stones, while Nubia seeked profit and trade down the Nile. Although fighting occured diplomats and explorers traveled back and forth in search of alliances and commerical relations. (Sean N.)

Turmoil and Empire
Near the end of the Old Kingdom agriculture became very successful and it lead to pharaohs having less power. The political authorities at the time realized this fall in power so they started the Middle Kingdom, which gave the pharaohs morepower, but the power had limits. After awhile of agricultural, political and military success, horse riding nomads called, Hyksos, began to take over Egypt. They were equipped with horses, chariots and bronze weapons, all of which the Egyptians didn't have. Their advanced tools lead them to success in taking over and ruling the Egyptian empire. The nobles in Egypt didn't like being ruled by the Hyksos so they decided that they wanted to take a stand and start a new kingdom. They began to build bronze weapons and domesticate horses for use in battle if it occured. The nobles succeeded and they began a new empire called The New Kingdom. At it's peak, The New Kingdom had about four million people. Some worked in agriculture, military, or politics while others used their time to do other specialized jobs that suited their talents. When Tuthmosis III took over as the pharaoh of The New Kingdom, it became one of the most powerful kingdoms in all of Asia. Egypt, which had used to be the strongest state by far, was even experiencing political and militay decline. (J.B.) =** __The 5 themes__ **= __**Themes**__ 1. **Interaction between humans and the environment** Early Egypt was split into two sections; Egypt and Nubia. Both people were relatively the same, but located in different cataracts of the Nile River. Agriculture was the basis of both societies. Egyptians planted directly in the floodplain of the Nile, and Nubians planted farther away on plateaus with the help of irrigation. People had migrated throughout Africa, but Egypt was the most densely populated because of the fertile soil and overall wealth.

2. **Development and interaction of cultures** Originally nomadic herders, agriculture enabled urban cities that became extremely complex societies. In the beginning, Egypt was ruled much like Mesopotamia, but soon became a much stronger, unified kingdom. Menes, the supposed conquerer of Egypt, built the city of Memphis, which became both the political and cultural center of Egypt. Pharaohs and kings were thought of as divine (god-like) creatures in human form. They were either part of the sun god, Amon, or the sky god, Hector, and were united with their god after death. Pyramids, temples, palaces, and statues were built in their honor, and some are still standing today.

3. **State-building, expansion, and conflict** Pharaohs were the original rulers, but were later replaced by smaller areas that rulers reigned over. Egypt and Nubia were peaceful neighbors for a long time, but Egypt soon tried to expand, and was denied by Nubia's military. In the turmoil that followed, Assyrians attacked Egypt and took control. Throughout this time, many parts of Egypt were beginning to be controlled by smaller groups, such as the Kashuks. The once great Egyptian empire was destroyed, and controlled by many different regions.

4. **Creation, expansion and Interaction of Economic Systems**
Agriculture was the most important part of the Egyptian and Nubian Society and thanks to the Nile River it allowed for productive agricultural farms. Job Specialization also occurred. For example, laborers, architects, engineers, and artists. Egypt and Nubia were good trading partners depending on each other's resources. Memphis served as Menes' capital and was the political and cultural capital of Egypt.

5. **Development and Transformatin of Social Structures**
Pharaohs were considered gods just like how Mesopotamian Society considered their kings as gods. Many pharaohs built pyramids to signify their power and authority over people. Laborers and workers were also part of the social class. The influence by the Mesopotamian Empire probably made Egypt a male dominated society.

 Written by...... 1. Sheena Nakagawa (S.N) 2. Madison McGuire 3. Justin Brinkman (J.B.) 4. Sean Nordgren (Sean N.) 5. John stephens