The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt: A Journey Through Time

It was Egypt, one of the world's oldest and most fabulous civilizations, along the banks of the Nile River that shone for thousands of years through the great pyramids to the very intricate mummification process. Ancient Egypt's history is rich and mysterious as a succession of mighty rulers shaped the culture, religion, and architectural wonders that remain famous even today. But like all great empires, Egypt's glory was eventually brought to an end. Here, we are going to tell you the story of Ancient Egypt, how they made mummies, the building of the pyramids, and the eventual collapse of the mighty kingdom that once was.

The Early Beginnings: The Rise of Egypt

Egyptian history goes way back to about 3100 BCE by King Narmer, also known as Menes, who joined Upper and Lower Egypt, establishing the onset of the Egyptian Early Dynastic Period. Narmer's reign founded the Egyptian state, and he is credited with establishing the first of many dynasties.

In the centuries that ensued, Egypt constructed a strong central government and was under the rule of pharaohs-people who were considered gods on earth. The pharaoh held a vital position in sustaining order and harmony, ma'at, in Egyptian society.

The Old Kingdom (c. 2686 – 2181 BCE)

This period is also known as the "Age of the Pyramids" because during this period the most famous pyramids in Egypt were constructed. The greatest of all is the Great Pyramid of Giza, commissioned under the rule of the pharaoh Khufu, also known as Cheops, sometime around 2580 BCE. The construction of the pyramid necessitated great resources, skilled labor, and cutting-edge engineering skills. The largest and most magnificent among them was Khufu's pyramid; even nowadays, the whole remaining giant structure stands as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

During the Old Kingdom, the Egyptians perfected the art of erecting large stone structures. The pyramid was not just a tomb for the pharaoh; it symbolized his journey to the afterlife, ensuring his immortality. The Egyptians believed that life after death was just as important as life on Earth, and elaborate tombs were built to honor their rulers in the afterlife.

Mummification: Preserving the Dead

Mummification, an essential process of Egyptian funeral practices, was eventually developed over the course of centuries. It was meant to prepare the body so that, in the afterlife, its soul, also known as the ka, would recognize it. The whole process involved several stages.

1. Removal of the organs: The brains were taken out from the nostrils using special tools, and the organs were taken out carefully. However, in most cases, the heart was left inside because the general opinion was that the heart was where rationality and emotion would reside.

2. Drying of the body: The natron - a type of natural salt found in Egypt - was used to dehydrate the body. The dehydration process took 40 days and helped preserve the body for centuries.

3. Wrapping the body: Following desiccation, the body was covered in linen bandages. Between layers, amulets were inserted to safeguard the deceased

4. during the afterlife. Final rituals: The mummy was placed in a tomb with lots of things that the deceased might need in his journey to the afterlife, like food, clothes, and treasures for a comfortable time.

All pharaohs, nobles, and wealthy members of society receive complex mummification. In contrast, simple burial rites are for ordinary folk. Mummification has also developed over time, and has thus become more refined and specialized.

The Middle Kingdom (c. 2055 – 1650 BCE)

The Middle Kingdom is considered a time of renaissance for Egypt. After a period of political instability, the pharaohs of the 11th Dynasty restored order and prosperity to the land. This was the time when some of Egypt's most notable rulers began to emerge, including Pharaoh Amenemhat II, who expanded Egypt's influence through military campaigns and trade.

This also saw the increase of art, literature, and culture. The Egyptians started making more elaborate tombs, and the practice of mummification gained increasing notoriety among the upper classes.

The New Kingdom (c. 1550 – 1070 BCE)

This was Egypt's most flourishing and potent period during the New Kingdom, with such pharaohs as Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, and Ramses II.

Hatshepsut (c. 1479 – 1458 BCE): One of the very few female pharaohs of Egypt, Hatshepsut oversaw trade expeditions, extensive building projects, and a long period of peace. She is remembered for her impressive mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari.

Thutmose III (c. 1479 – 1425 BCE): Known as the "Napoleon of Egypt," Thutmose III expanded Egypt's empire through military conquests, reaching as far as the Euphrates River.

Akhenaten (c. 1353 – 1336 BCE): Akhenaten is known for his radical religious reforms. He introduced monotheism, worshiping the sun disk Aten, and moved the capital to a new city, Amarna. The old gods, however, resumed their reverence, with hardly anything being remembered of his reforms.

Tutankhamun (c. 1332 – 1323 BCE): The most famous pharaoh of all, perhaps, in view of the discovery of his tomb in 1922, Tutankhamun was a young king who restored the traditional religious practices after Akhenaten's short, unorthodox reign.

Ramses II (c. 1279 – 1213 BCE): Known as "Ramses the Great," he ruled for 66 years and waged several military campaigns, most famously the Battle of Kadesh. He constructed several temples and monuments, such as the colossal temple at Abu Simbel.

The Decline and Fall of Egypt

Despite its glory, Egypt gradually began to weaken. The New Kingdom came to an end in 1070 BCE, and Egypt entered a period of decline. Different foreign powers from Libyans, Nubians, Persians to the eventual Greeks invaded Egypt. As Egypt's power declined, internal conflicts, invasion, and economic turmoil marked the instability.

332 BCE: Alexander the Great defeated Egypt, and it became part of his empire. However, in 30 BCE, after the defeat of Cleopatra by the Roman Empire, Egypt was absorbed into the Roman Empire, ending Egypt's ancient civilization.

Conclusion

The history of Egypt has proven to be one of the achievements of a civilization that molded most of the world as we know it today. From gigantic pyramids to mysterious mummies, the old Egyptian legacy lives through their arts, culture, and monumental structures. The fall of Egypt was an internal and external process which occurred gradually. Although Egypt lost its political influence, its contributions to the world of civilization still shape the course of things into the present.