HIST110 Lecture 3: Egyptian Civilization
5 Feb 2015
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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. Narmer (menes) is the 1st great pharaoh: 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. Invasion of the hyksos: brought horses, chariots, body armour, bows, driven out by egyptian vassal kings from thebes. Expansion policy into nubia, palestine, syria: new classes: professional soldiers and slaves. Pharaoh has all authority and is the living god. Concept of justice, right, truth, law and order.
