EGYPT 
             

  

History             Egypt it will always be a Bart of me                                                              

                   
Ancient Egypt
Tools and artifacts indicate that humans lived in the Nile valley beginning about 60,000 years ago. Archaeological findings point to the emergence of a dominant political and religious culture in the Nile valley by about 3300 BC. Shortly thereafter, Menes—considered the first pharaoh—conquered the delta and the narrow strip of cultivated land along the Nile, uniting Upper and Lower Egypt.

Historians divide Egyptian civilization into four epochs: the Old, Middle, and New kingdoms, and the Late Period. These eras are separated from each another by, respectively, the First, Second, and Third Intermediate periods. During these times the political divisions of Middle and Upper Egypt broke apart under the influence of weak rulers, fragmenting the central government and disrupting the administrative authority of the country.

Early Egyptians lived under an absolute ruler, the pharaoh, who was revered as a god. Only the pharaohs' responsibility to their people constrained their divine right. In later eras, pharaohs were still considered divine but ruled primarily through political and military power.

The first great period of Egyptian culture is known as the Old Kingdom (about 2755–2255 BC), which included the Third to Sixth dynasties. The Third Dynasty is known as a golden age of cultural freshness and energy. Literature and medicine advanced, and the priests, attempting to reconcile the chaotic collection of gods and goddesses, codified Egypt's theologies. In order to deal with affairs of state and to administer construction projects, the king began to develop an effective bureaucracy. The first pyramids were built at this time. 

A vigorous cultural renaissance known as the Middle Kingdom (2134–1784 BC) developed under the Eleventh Dynasty Theban rulers. Architecture was characterized by purity of line and controlled proportions. Superb decorative arts were produced, especially precious metal jewelry and faience including the well-known blue-glazed hippopotamuses decorated with painted water plants. 

The 16th century BC marked the beginning of a period of international conquest, called the New Kingdom (1570–1070 BC). Warrior pharaohs established military posts along the upper Nile and far into Nubia and Syria, ending Egypt's political isolation. Immigrants from throughout the empire swelled Egypt's population, introducing new customs, fashions, and languages.

Persian invaders occupied Egypt in the sixth century BC until 332 BC, when invasion by the forces of Alexander the Great brought an end to Persian rule. After his death in 323 BC, Alexander's generals divided his empire. Ptolemy took Egypt and in 306 BC declared himself pharaoh, establishing Egypt's last dynasty.

Ptolemaic Egypt was one of the great powers of the Hellenistic world, at various times extending its rule over parts of Syria, Asia Minor, Cyprus, Libya, Phoenicia, and other lands. Under the Ptolemies, Alexandria became the cultural and intellectual center of the ancient world. The Ptolemaic line ended with the suicide of Cleopatra in 30 BC.

Coptic Christianity
For nearly seven centuries after the death of Cleopatra, the Romans controlled Egypt. They treated Egypt as a valuable source of wealth and profit and were dependent on its supply of grain. 

When Roman Emperor Constantine came to power, he converted to Christianity; in AD 313 he gave imperial sanction to the Church doctrine. The new Roman orthodoxy was somewhat at variance with the established Christianity of Egyptians, known as Coptic Christianity. Religious conflicts erupted. In the end, the Copts formally seceded and appointed their own patriarch of Alexandria.

modern Egypt             Islamic Egypt

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