Egyptian Civilization: Pyramids, Religion and Culture

Introduction

In today’s world, despite the many modern technologies and developments, people still talk about the ancient Egyptian civilization. Questions often arise: Why did they build those pyramids? How many gods did they believe in? How did they create laws? What about their pharaohs, rules, and many more aspects of their society?

The Role of the Nile River

The Egyptian civilization began around 3100 B.C., and it would not have flourished in Egypt without the Nile. The river was a gift to the civilization, as it flooded the valley annually, depositing a new layer of fertile soil on the land. This nutrient-rich soil was capable of producing surplus crops to support a vast population. The Egyptians built all their temples, palaces, and tombs near the river. They even constructed planked boats to trade with other regions, and the river facilitated quick travel for their soldiers. The Nile River was an integral part of the civilization, ensuring rich and fair agriculture.

Hieroglyphics and Record Keeping

The Egyptians used a writing format called "Hieroglyphics" to document their daily activities and calculations. They wrote extensively about their beliefs, government laws, and their kings and pharaohs. They created a paper-like material using the "papyrus" tree to record all their information. They were experts in arts and crafts, engraving pictures on walls, especially in tombs, temples, and palaces, depicting their gods, daily routines, and various situations.

Technological and Artistic Achievements

The Egyptians achieved many advancements, including the creation of a calendar to keep records of their day-to-day trading activities, a format we still use today. Many engraved pictures show their knowledge of glass-blowing, and they worked with basic materials like metal, copper, and gold to create various objects. Their most significant achievements include building massive pyramids, temples, and palaces. Studies suggest that they did not have advanced technology to build such structures, yet they managed to create these architectural marvels. These sculptures and statues demonstrate their practice of standardization and measurement. Certain groups of people studied and practiced measurement, standardization, anatomy, and medicine, as evidenced by the mummies found inside the pyramids.

Religious Beliefs

Religion was a crucial part of Egyptian civilization. They believed in various gods and goddesses, such as Ra, the Sun God, and Osiris, the god of fertility, among others. One of the primary reasons for building pyramids for their kings and queens and mummifying their bodies was their strong belief in life after death (Smith, 2020).

Historical Periods of Egyptian Civilization

Egyptian civilization is divided into three parts: the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. During the Old Kingdom, pharaohs were considered gods, the first pyramid was built in Giza, and crop failures and the cost of pyramids led to the collapse of the Old Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom was marked by traders contacting the Middle East, and the Hyksos invading and occupying the delta region. Finally, the New Kingdom saw powerful pharaohs creating a large empire, with Ramses II expanding Egyptian rule to Syria, after which Egyptian power declined (Johnson, 2019).

Conclusion

The Egyptian civilization, with its remarkable achievements in architecture, art, and governance, continues to captivate modern society. Despite the passage of time, the mysteries of their religious beliefs, the grandeur of their structures, and their innovations in various fields remain subjects of intrigue and admiration.

References

Johnson, M. (2019). The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt. Cambridge University Press.

Smith, J. (2020). Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press.