Egyptian religious beliefs reflecting society, lifestyle, and geographic location:
Religion played importance on these three aspects. Egyptians believed in afterlife and had rituals relating to death and the afterlife. Egypt's closeness to sea and Nile River as well as other natural resources influenced their religion by causing their gods to represent objects found in nature. Examples of this include the god of sun, the god of rain, the god of earth, and the goddess of sky.
Climatic change influencing the early development of African cultures:
In 10000 BCE, the Sahara region used to be grassy steppe lands with water that allowed for an abundance of fishing, hunting, and grains. People in Sudan herded cattle and collected grains. This made permanent settlements possible. In 5000 BCE, climate got hotter and drier in these areas and people were ultimately driven to the Nile River where water and floods made good soil for agriculture.
Evolution of the institution of the pharaoh & the pharaoh’s power through the Old Kingdom period:
The institution of the pharaoh developed from extension of tribal chief. The pharaoh had the ability to exercise ultimate power and were looked up as deities that were guaranteed afterlife and even had pyramid tombs and statues built in dedication to them.Egypt started out as small states with semi divine rulers that led to becoming small kingdoms. All these small kingdoms united and became Egypt. As the Kingdom of Egypt grew, the power of the pharaohs grew. Pharaohs were like gods in Egypt, they had immense power and an incredible status in life and death.
The early Kingdom of Kush:
The early kingdom of Kush developed along the Nile river near Nubia. It was the most important trade route between Africa and the the world to the north. The capital city was Moroe that had six cataracts that served as natural boundaries. Pharaohs of Egypt took control of Kush during the early Egyptian civilization but Kush conquered gyot after they declined in power. Egypt's cultural influence on Kush includes Egyptian graves in Meroe, similar beliefs in the afterlife, creation of tombs for kings, and similar gods.
Invasion of the Hyksos influence the later development of Egypt
The invasion of Hyksos brought Egypt great builders and artisans from the Hyksos. The Hyksos imported some of their own gods into the Egyptian religion and honored the gods the Egyptians believed in. The Hyksos brought the advancement of bronze armor, bows, weapons, and chariots. The invasion of Hyksos broke the isolation of Egypt from other civilizations and strengthened their army. The invasion lead to the capture of Memphis in 1674 BCE and also caused revolts in Upper Egypt.
New Kindom and its relations with Kush during time period:
New Kindgom existed from 1550-1070 BCE. At the time, pharaohs gained power and continued construction of the kingdom. Tuthmosis, a pharaoh ruled and expanded the Egyptian empire. A period of decline occured and Egypt was driven out of Nubia, a Kush territory, in 1100 BCE. Thebes was eventually captured by the Kushites in 760 BCE.
Society in Egypt and Nubia:
Egypt's social class: Pharoah, nobles and scribes, soldiers, artisans and merchants, farmers, slaves
Egypt's gender roles: Women mostly stayed at home but some held jobs. Men held most of the responisbilty to work.
Nubia's social class: complex hierarchy society
Nubia's gender roles: Women often played a role as queens, priestesses, and scribes.
Transportation and trade networks:
For transportation, Egyptians often used sailboats, carts, and donkey caravans. Development of transportation items made it possible for Egyptians to trade with further locations such as Nubia, North Africa, East Africa.
Cult of Osiris:
The Cult of Osiris was a myth used to describe eternal persistence of life and triumph of good over evil. Osiris was killed by his own brother, Set. He was restored life by his wife, Isis. Revenge was taken by Horus, his son. The cult of Osiris believed there were three forms that the spirit existed in after death, Akh, the immortal and unchanging form that the dead existed in; Bu, the form released at death and is also known as the soul; and Ka, a spiritual and physical form. The cult is associated with the Nile, crops, life, death, and immortality.
Bantu migrations:
The Bantus migrated south to the Congo River, west into forests and east into Great Lakes. They absorbed the hunter, gatherer, and fisher population and occupied most of southern Africa by 1000 BCE. The Bantus were heavily involved in trade and the spread of agriculture to other regions.
Religion played importance on these three aspects. Egyptians believed in afterlife and had rituals relating to death and the afterlife. Egypt's closeness to sea and Nile River as well as other natural resources influenced their religion by causing their gods to represent objects found in nature. Examples of this include the god of sun, the god of rain, the god of earth, and the goddess of sky.
Climatic change influencing the early development of African cultures:
In 10000 BCE, the Sahara region used to be grassy steppe lands with water that allowed for an abundance of fishing, hunting, and grains. People in Sudan herded cattle and collected grains. This made permanent settlements possible. In 5000 BCE, climate got hotter and drier in these areas and people were ultimately driven to the Nile River where water and floods made good soil for agriculture.
Evolution of the institution of the pharaoh & the pharaoh’s power through the Old Kingdom period:
The institution of the pharaoh developed from extension of tribal chief. The pharaoh had the ability to exercise ultimate power and were looked up as deities that were guaranteed afterlife and even had pyramid tombs and statues built in dedication to them.Egypt started out as small states with semi divine rulers that led to becoming small kingdoms. All these small kingdoms united and became Egypt. As the Kingdom of Egypt grew, the power of the pharaohs grew. Pharaohs were like gods in Egypt, they had immense power and an incredible status in life and death.
The early Kingdom of Kush:
The early kingdom of Kush developed along the Nile river near Nubia. It was the most important trade route between Africa and the the world to the north. The capital city was Moroe that had six cataracts that served as natural boundaries. Pharaohs of Egypt took control of Kush during the early Egyptian civilization but Kush conquered gyot after they declined in power. Egypt's cultural influence on Kush includes Egyptian graves in Meroe, similar beliefs in the afterlife, creation of tombs for kings, and similar gods.
Invasion of the Hyksos influence the later development of Egypt
The invasion of Hyksos brought Egypt great builders and artisans from the Hyksos. The Hyksos imported some of their own gods into the Egyptian religion and honored the gods the Egyptians believed in. The Hyksos brought the advancement of bronze armor, bows, weapons, and chariots. The invasion of Hyksos broke the isolation of Egypt from other civilizations and strengthened their army. The invasion lead to the capture of Memphis in 1674 BCE and also caused revolts in Upper Egypt.
New Kindom and its relations with Kush during time period:
New Kindgom existed from 1550-1070 BCE. At the time, pharaohs gained power and continued construction of the kingdom. Tuthmosis, a pharaoh ruled and expanded the Egyptian empire. A period of decline occured and Egypt was driven out of Nubia, a Kush territory, in 1100 BCE. Thebes was eventually captured by the Kushites in 760 BCE.
Society in Egypt and Nubia:
Egypt's social class: Pharoah, nobles and scribes, soldiers, artisans and merchants, farmers, slaves
Egypt's gender roles: Women mostly stayed at home but some held jobs. Men held most of the responisbilty to work.
Nubia's social class: complex hierarchy society
Nubia's gender roles: Women often played a role as queens, priestesses, and scribes.
Transportation and trade networks:
For transportation, Egyptians often used sailboats, carts, and donkey caravans. Development of transportation items made it possible for Egyptians to trade with further locations such as Nubia, North Africa, East Africa.
Cult of Osiris:
The Cult of Osiris was a myth used to describe eternal persistence of life and triumph of good over evil. Osiris was killed by his own brother, Set. He was restored life by his wife, Isis. Revenge was taken by Horus, his son. The cult of Osiris believed there were three forms that the spirit existed in after death, Akh, the immortal and unchanging form that the dead existed in; Bu, the form released at death and is also known as the soul; and Ka, a spiritual and physical form. The cult is associated with the Nile, crops, life, death, and immortality.
Bantu migrations:
The Bantus migrated south to the Congo River, west into forests and east into Great Lakes. They absorbed the hunter, gatherer, and fisher population and occupied most of southern Africa by 1000 BCE. The Bantus were heavily involved in trade and the spread of agriculture to other regions.