HIST110 Lecture : L3 - Egyptian Civilization.docx
11 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Lower egypt (last 250km of nile) before it flows into mediterranean. Memphis/thebes were the two capitals of the ancient civilization. 20-30km along nile is were agriculture was best, it"s where people usually lived. Steady climate: nile does not flood erratically like tigris and euphrates, soil is richer in nile valley, egypt had natural barriers deserts in the east and west, equatorial jungles in south, Narmer (menes) is the 1st great pharaoh. 1st intermediate (2180-2040: he unified upper and lower egypt into one great nation. The first six dynasties (six extended family lines: within blood line ) The king (pharaoh) was a god, had absolute power (no separation between politics and religion) In the 3rd dynasty, the capital moved to memphis. Greatest pyramids built during the 4th dynasty. Central government of old kingdom collapsed: state revenues exhausted, less grain (bad climate) weakened the state, nobility grew powerful and autonomous (had aristocrats) nobility waged wars.
