Collapse Of Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt was once a powerful empire, known for its Great Pyramids and Sphinx. However, today all that remains are ruins. The downfall of Ancient Egypt is a complex story. Did conquest, civil war, climate, or plague lead to their demise? To understand their end, we must go back to their beginning. How did Egypt become a powerhouse? The answer lies in climate change. The region was once a lush ecosystem, filled with large animals and birds. Tribes settled there, domesticating animals and developing tools. The Badarian people were the first tribe in the area, followed by the Naqada who built a large city. Location was key, as the Naqada controlled the Nile valley and trade. They established relations with Nubia and Mesopotamia, traded their crafts, and developed a system of written symbols. This civilization was on the brink of becoming an empire.

A dynasty starts with a king. The official history of early Egypt began with a king named Menes. Egypt was divided into two kingdoms, and Menes unified them. However, many historians question if Menes was a real figure or a myth. The transition to a unified Egypt may have been slower, but the Early Dynastic Period began around 3150 BCE. The early kings were based in lower Egypt, with the capital in Memphis. They grew wealthy through labor and agriculture, and they built massive tombs to celebrate their achievements. The kings started to be worshiped as gods during this time. These tombs were the influence for the pyramids. In just 500 years, Egypt and the world changed drastically. The Old Kingdom began around 2686 BCE and marked the shaping of Ancient Egypt. The kingdom thrived with a strong government system and a growing population. Taxes were used to create infrastructure, including irrigation systems. Life was good for the ruling class but not for the peasants, who were often drafted as laborers. The kings felt pressure to outdo their predecessors, leading to spectacle creep.

Egypt's ancient empire flourished thanks to endless growth and impressive monuments. The Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx still stand today, attracting visitors from around the world. However, cracks in the kingdom started to show. The extensive land grants to temples, the opposition from local governors, and the decentralization of the country affected the economy. Despite this, as long as the economy remained stable, the King held onto power. Unfortunately, severe droughts in 2200 BCE devastated the agricultural sector, leading to the collapse of the central government. The First Intermediate Period followed, lasting about 125 years. During this time, Egypt faced food shortages and civil war. Some local leaders gained power and saw their provinces flourish, while others quickly fell. A divided Egypt was dominated by two kingdoms, Thebes in the south and Herakleopolis in the north. King Mentuhotep II of Thebes unified Egypt in 2055, marking the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. However, Egypt's structure remained fragile, and the new rulers needed to learn from the past. In the beginning, the new rulers expanded the kingdom, leading to a boom in art, literature, and monument construction. The dynasty focused on strengthening Egypt's agricultural efforts and fortifying its defenses, like the Walls of the Ruler. The culture The culture also shifted with more introspective art and complex depictions of Gods like Osiris. Despite significant achievements, Egypt still needed labor for its construction projects.The drought and famine caused the downfall of the Middle Kingdom in Egypt. Massive Nile floods destroyed the under-construction infrastructure and strained the economy. The ruler, Amenemhat III, was unprepared and the group of Canaanite settlers posed a threat. The Hyksos, a large group of foreigners, took advantage of the chaos and established their own power base in the Nile delta. They treated the Egyptian king as a subordinate as long as he paid tribute. Although the Hyksos patterned their society after the Egyptians, they made advancements in warfare. The Egyptian army was powerful but lacked modern weaponry.

The Hyksos brought new tools to Egypt: composite bows and horse-drawn chariots. Thebes, the central government, was ready to take control of its territory and engaged in a brutal civil war with a duration of thirty years. At the same time, the Nubian empire was preparing to take over Thebes. Ultimately, the war ended in a stalemate. The Theban forces, led by King Ahmose I, rebuilt Egypt’s military and drove the Hyksos out. Ahmose I also aimed to conquer the Near East. This marked the beginning of the New Kingdom, the last period of glory for ancient Egypt. The New Kingdom became the largest empire in Egypt's history, and its kings were called Pharaohs. Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's most famous rulers, repaired the damage done by the Hyksos and led successful trade expeditions. However, the decline of the New Kingdom was influenced by Pharaoh Akhenaten. He abandoned Egypt's traditional faith and introduced a new deity, causing turmoil.

Other gods' followers were persecuted. Massive projects dedicated to extolling Aten were started. The capital city was moved to a new location named after Aten. Aten's legacy only lasted as long as his life. Boy King Tutankhamun quickly undid many of Aten's edicts. Ramesses II took the throne in 1279 BCE. He was responsible for a massive increase in statues and obelisks. He also began conquests in neighboring areas, waging a battle against the Hittites. Ramesses II made Egypt the richest country in the world. However, Egypt was now surrounded by people who wanted a piece of its wealth. The Libyan Berbers watched enviously from their poorer country. The growing Assyrian empire threatened Egypt's territory in Canaan. Seafaring pirates attacked Egypt's borders in the Aegean Sea. The Egyptian army initially fended off these invaders. The high priests, within the infrastructure Ramesses II created, became powerful and enriched themselves. This contributed to the collapse of the country. Two empires and pirates meant war on multiple fronts for Egypt. Egypt lost much of its territory in the Near East. The third intermediate period began in 1069. The High Priests of Thebes gained autonomy, Libyan forces took control of the south, and power struggles continued. Kushite territory invaded and established its own empire. Egypt remained, but under Kushite rule. The Kushites built the majority of Egypt's pyramids.

Egypt's influence in the world was decreasing. Other empires had claimed most of their territories and their allies were being conquered by the Assyrians. The Assyrians invaded Egypt, driving out the Kushites. This conquest was different - the Assyrians had no interest in adopting the Egyptian culture. They sacked the famous temples of Thebes, took control of the kingdom, and handed it over to their vassals. This led to betrayal, and the regional king made a deal with Greek mercenaries to drive out the Egyptians. The Greeks celebrated their victory but were invaded by the powerful Persian empire. The Persians called themselves Pharaoh of Egypt but ruled from Iran, putting down rebellions. This marked the official end of the Egyptian empire, as it was annexed by the Persians. However, Egypt was still a wealthy region that other empires desired. The Persian rule lasted several hundred years, until Alexander the Great emerged. Alexander respected the culture of Ancient Egypt and restored many elements. He established Alexandria as the capital and built the famous Lighthouse. The reign of Alexander the Great was Egypt's greatest era as a colony. However, after his death, internal strife and rebellions arose. Trade with the Roman Empire boomed, leading some Roman rulers to consider owning Egypt. Cleopatra, the last Queen of the Ptolemaic dynasty, fell in love with Roman politician Marc Antony and attempted to defend Egypt against Roman invasion. The Romans ultimately took control of Egypt, making Augustus the richest man in the world. The Roman rule was strict and direct.

The traditions of Ancient Egypt faded over time and hieroglyphics became a lost language. Egypt went through different rulers and empires, including Rome, Persia, and Byzantine. In 639, the Muslim Arab army invaded and established Muslim Arab rule. Egypt has endured, but it is far removed from its ancient empire. Egypt fell due to various factors such as climate, internal strife, and invasion. It went through periods of collapse and rebuilding. After the third intermediate period, Egypt wasn't strong enough to resist. Different empires and their governing approaches prevented strong rebellion. By the time Rome arrived, Egypt had lost its independence. Roman oppression wiped out much of Ancient Egypt. Today, Egypt gained independence in 1922 and has faced political turmoil. It is considered one of the more stable countries in the Middle East and takes pride in its history. Ancient Egypt's legacy is seen through its iconic sites and its fascination in popular culture.