EGYPT

HISTORY OF EGYPT The Egyptian civilization dates from the year 4000 BC and remained stable for 35 centuries despite numerous invasions of which was the victim. In 1822, Frenchman Jean Francois Champollion deciphered the ancient Egyptian writing makes possible direct access to Egyptian sources of information. Until then, the knowledge of Egypt was obtained by historians of the Greco-Roman antiquity.    THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR IMPACTS Located in the northeast African semi-arid climate and low rainfall throughout the year, the Nile River Valley is an oasis amid a desert region. During the flood season, the river deposited on its banks in which a fertile mud during low tide were cultivated cereals and vegetables. The Nile River is essential to the survival of Egypt. The interaction between human action and the environment is evident in the history of Egyptian civilization, because thanks to the abundance of its waters could irrigate the banks during floods. The need for the construction of irrigation channels and dams to store water near the plantations was responsible for the emergence of the centralized state. Nile> irrigated agriculture> construction of irrigation works requiring strong centralization of power> theocratic monarchy HISTORY The political history of Ancient Egypt is traditionally divided into two periods: Pre-Dynastic (up to 3200 BC): lack of political centralization.  Population organized in prefectures (primitive communities) are independent of central authority which was headed by nomarcas. The unification of the nomes was in the middle of the year 3000 BC, during which it consolidated the agricultural economy, technical writing and working with metals such as copper and gold. Two kingdoms of Upper Egypt (south) and Lower Egypt (North) appeared around 3500 BC as a result of the need to join efforts for the construction of hydraulic works. Dynastic: Strong political centralization Menes, king of Upper Egypt, subdued in 3200 BC Lower Egypt. Promoted the political unification of the two lands under a centralized monarchy in the image of the pharaoh, initiating the Old Kingdom, Menes became the first pharaoh. The nomarcas became "governors," contingent upon the Pharaonic authority. Historical periodization The Dynastic Period is divided into three periods: Old Kingdom (3200 BC - 2300 BC) Capital: Memphis was invented hieroglyphic writing. Construction of the great pyramids of Giza, including the best known are those of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. These monuments, made of solid blocks of stone, served as tombs for the pharaohs. Such constructions required advanced engineering techniques and a large amount of hand labor. Invasion of nomadic peoples: the fragmentation of power Middle Kingdom (c. 2040-1580 BC) For 200 years, ancient Egypt was the scene of civil wars marked by confrontation between the central power of the pharaoh and local governments - nomarcas. From 2040 BC, a powerful dynasty (12th) came to rule the country starting the most glorious period of ancient Egypt: the Middle Kingdom. During this period: Capital: Thebes Political Power: Pharaoh divided the throne with his son to secure the succession in his lifetime Central government strictly controlled the whole country Internal stability coincided with the territorial expansion Census of population, livestock and arable land for the fixing of taxes Economic dynamism The Hyksos Uprisings of peasants and slaves weakened the central authority at the end of the Middle Kingdom, allowing Hyksos - a people of Caucasian origin with great military power that had settled in the Nile Delta - conquer all of Egypt (c.1700 BC). The Hyksos conquered and controlled Egypt until 1580 BC when the military chief of Thebes defeated them. It started then a new period in the history of Ancient Egypt, which became known as the New Kingdom. The contributions of the Hyksos were: bronze casting use of horses chariots vertical loom New Empire - (c. 1580-525 BC), Egypt expelled the Hyksos conquering, then Syria and Palestine. Capital: Thebes. Ruling dynasty descended from the military. Increase the power of the priests and the social prestige of the military and bureaucrats. Militarism and expansionism, especially under the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose and Ramses. Conquest of Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine, Nubia, Mesopotamia, Cyprus, Crete and the Aegean islands. Influx of wealth and slaves and increased commercial activity controlled by the state. Amenhotep IV promoted a religious reform to lessen the authority of priests and strengthen their power by deploying monotheism (acrença a single deity) during his reign. Invasions of the "Sea Peoples" (Mediterranean islands) and nomadic tribes of Libya consequent loss of the Asian territories. Invading Persians led by Cambyses. End of political independence. With the end of his political independence of Egypt was conquered by the Persians in 343 BC. In 332 BC joined the Macedonian Empire, and from 30 BC, the Roman Empire. ECONOMIC ASPECTS Economic base: Irrigated agriculture with cereal crops (wheat, barley, cotton, papyrus, flax) favored by irrigation works. Extensive agriculture with a high level of social and political organization. Other economic activities: animal husbandry (grazing), crafts and trade. POLITICAL ASPECTS Theocratic monarchy: The ruler (Pharaoh) was hereditary sovereign, absolute and considered a divine incarnation. He was aided by the state bureaucracy in the affairs of state. There was a strong centralization of power to local authorities canceled due to the need for joint efforts for large buildings. The government owned the land and collected taxes from the peasant communities (collective servitude). Taxes could be paid through free labor on public works or part of production. SOCIAL ASPECTS Prevalence of companies estamentais (composed of social categories, each had their role and their place in society). Egypt had a static, hierarchical social structure linked to economic activities. The individual's position in society was determined by heredity (birth determines the social position of the individual). The structure of Egyptian society can be likened to a pyramid. Pharaoh at the apex, then the high bureaucracy (officials, high priests and military) and at the base of workers in general. The society was divided into the following social categories: The pharaoh and his family - The pharaoh was the supreme authority in all areas and is responsible for all aspects of life in ancient Egypt. Controlled irrigation works, religion, armies, enactment and enforcement of laws and trade. At the time of famine was the responsibility of the pharaoh feed the population. aristocracy (nobility and priests). The nobility helped the pharaoh to rule. intermediate groups (military, bureaucrats, merchants and craftsmen) peasants slave The scribes, who mastered the art of writing (hieroglyphics), rulers and priests formed a distinct social group in Egypt. CULTURAL ASPECTS The culture was the privilege of higher layers. Highlight for architectural and engineering (major irrigation works, temples, palaces). Development of irrigation techniques and boat building. Development of the technique of mummification of bodies. Knowledge of human anatomy. Advancement in Medicine. Picture writing (hieroglyphics). Lunar calendar. Advances in astronomy and mathematics, and aims to predict flood and ebb tides. Development of the decimal system. Even without knowing the zero, the Egyptians created the foundations of geometry and calculus. Engineering and Arts.  They played chess. RELIGIOUS ASPECTS Polytheism Worship the Sun god (Amon - Ra) The deities are represented in human form (anthropomorphic polytheism), with animal body or just with the head of an animal (polytheism antropozoomórfico) Belief in life after death (Court of Osiris), hence the need to preserve the body, development of techniques of mummification, improvement of medical and anatomical knowledge. http://elizabeth-conversademulherescriativas.blogspot.com.br/2011/07/historia-do-egito-civilizacao-egipcia-e.html