Apr 19, 2023 GNED002 - Ancient Empires 1

Ancient EgyptAncient EgyptCulture & SocietyCulture & Society

The Daily Life of Ancient Egypt

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OverviewOverview

PopulationLanguageSocial structureDivine kingshipArts and leisureCosmology Skiffs in Nile Swamps

Saqqara Mastaba6th Dynasty, 2300 BC

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PopulationPopulation

Numbers– Old Kingdom

• 1 - 2 million

– Roman Empire• 7 million

Immigration– Nubians, Asiatics,

Greeks

– Small numbers, acculturated easily

Nubian tribute

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Language

Afro-Asiatic Egyptian language Five Ancient Language Periods

– Old Egyptian (Predynastic Old Kingdom)– Middle Egyptian (Middle Kingdom)– Late Egyptian (New Kingdom)– Demotic (Ptolemy to Middle Ages)– Coptic Egyptian (Middle Ages to 1600’s)

• replaced by Arabic Hieroglyphic (picture writing)

– evolved into demotic (cursive writing) Literacy

– Grew with growth of central administration

papyrus

scribe“doctor”

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WritingWriting

Hallmark of administrative class Hieroglyphic: picture writing

– From Old Kingdom– Rosetta Stone: same text in Egyptian

hieroglyphic, Egyptian demotic, and Greek

– Cursive script 2500 BC Records, literature, hymns &

prayers, technical manuals Papyrus workshops in temples:

copying traditional texts

Rosetta Stone

scribe

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Social StructureSocial Structure

UpperUpper– pharaoh & court– high-level officials

MiddleMiddle– lower-level officials– local leaders, wealthy farmers– priests & professionals– artisans

LowerLower– common folk (majority)

SlavesSlaves– Limited to captives, criminals

Royal couple

Sulptors

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Divine KingshipDivine Kingship

Pharaoh son of Sun God - RePharaoh son of Sun God - Re– Sent to maintain ma’at: divinely

authorized order of universe– People’s link with gods– Rule ensured security, prosperity– Source of law, authority

Centralized PowerCentralized Power– All Egypt belongs to Pharaoh– Strong monarchy = strong central

government Capital CitiesCapital Cities

– Old Kingdom: Memphis (near Cairo)– Middle & New Kingdom: Thebes

(Luxor)

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Nomes and CitiesNomes and Cities

NomesNomes– Provinces of Ancient Egypt– Lower Egypt: 20, Upper Egypt: 22– Nomarchs

• provincial governors• supervised irrigation & dams, dispensed justice

CitiesCities– Pharaonic capitals

• No archaeology: still occupied• Essential wealth in land & products

– Provincial capitals• Religious and economic centres for region,

frontier fortresses• Nubia ruled directly by viceroy of pharaoh

1st nome - Saqqara

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Royal BureaucracyRoyal Bureaucracy

Writing recordsWriting records– Land, labour, products, people– Taxes up to 50%

AdministrationAdministration– Palace, bureaucracy, army– Built & maintained temples,

monuments to pharaoh Simple geography of Nile lands

easy to administer State monopoly over key sectors of

economy– Some local private enterprise

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The Imperial MilitaryThe Imperial Military

Old & Middle KingdomsOld & Middle Kingdoms– Limited contact with other civilizations

• Defense against desert raiders

– Small standing army of professional soldiers

• Local militia when needed

New KingdomNew Kingdom– Expanded Empire

• NubiaNubia, Middle East

– Trade, not territory• Access to resources e.g. Lebanese cedar

Bedouins

Egypt’s Kingdoms

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The Army of EgyptThe Army of Egypt

WeaponsWeapons– Striking weapons

• club, mace, axe, sword, spear

– Throwing weapons• javelin, bow, slingshot

– Shield, helmet, armour– chariot after Hyksos invasion

New Kingdom Army– Mercenaries– Nobility as officers– Use of specialized forces: sappers (military

engineers), trenchers, shock troops– Rewards for excellence: land, slaves,

social position

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Shipping and TradeShipping and Trade

ShipsShips– River boats

– Seafaring traders

– Naval vessels

Trade RoutesTrade Routes– Nubia: gold

– Sinai: copper, gems

– Canaan: cedar

– PuntPunt: ostrich eggs, ivory

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ArtisansArtisans

Carpenters– cabinet making, furniture

Sculptors Stonemasons

– tomb & temple complexes

Goldsmiths– jewellry, funeral masks

Weavers– linens

PottersFuneral mask of

Psusennes 21st dynasty

Chair forKing Tut

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LeisureLeisure

Zoos & parks– gardens in house courtyard– animals & birds

Hunting & fishing– royal leopard hunts

Games– ball, board– sports– toys

Banquets– games, music, dancing

Nefertari playing Senet

garden withfish pond

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Music

Strings– Harps, lyres, lutes

Percussion– Drums, rattles,

cymbals

Wind– Flutes, trumpets,

oboes

Vocal music

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CosmologyCosmology

Religion rooted in landscape of Nile– Vision of cosmic order

– Recurrent cycles, periodic renewal

Pharaoh as Chief PriestPharaoh as Chief Priest– Temples, gifts to gods, tomb monuments

– Required great wealth• Continuity of divine kingship

• Ensure renewal of life Menkaure and goddesses

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Gods of Ancient EgyptGods of Ancient Egypt

1. Amen (Amon)– Creation deity of Thebes

2. Anubis– Jackal head, conductor of souls

3. Isis– Mother goddess of fertility &

nature

4. Re (Ra)– creator, sun god

5. Osiris– god of dead, underworld

Amen

Osiris Re

Anubis

Isis

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RitualRitual

Temple CultsTemple Cults– God statue in inner room– Priests serve daily needs

FestivalsFestivals– Boat litter carried god statue in public

Household AltarsHousehold Altars– Offerings to

• Bes, god of marriage & family• Local gods• Family ancestors

MagicMagic– Amulets : An amulet (Latin amuletum) can be any object whose

most important characteristic is its alleged power to protect its owner from danger or harm.

Bes

Temple of Amon - Luxor

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Obsession with Afterlife

Death as hazardous journey to afterlife– Book of the Dead: ritual & prayer to

protect soul– Weighing of deceased’s heart– Shabti: figurine servant as

companion (also ushabti) Mummification

– Organs removed to canopic jars– Body dried in natron

• Naturally occurring• Salt & sodium carbonate

– Sarcophagus: decorated casket in tomb Sarcophagus of Tutankhamen

shabti

canopic jar