Ancient Egypt

     The ancient Greeks called Egypt "the gift of the Nile" and they were absolutely right. The Nile, which originates almost at the Equator, crosses Egypt for a distance of 1,000 kilometers and turns it into a veritable granary. The Nile is the only route of communication to Egypt. Many ships cross it. Accustomed to navigation, the Egyptians also risked trips on the open sea. They sail to the coast of Palestine, from where they procure timber. But regularly the Nile floods and its waters overwhelm the surrounding areas.

The flora and fauna on the banks of the Nile perfectly cover the needs of the Egyptians. In the river delta they fish and game is plentiful. Papyrus grows there in abundance, which they use to make ships, baskets, ropes and, above all, a kind of paper.

Egypt, from the beginning of the Bronze Age, is a strong unified state, the first in history. Its rulers bear the title of Pharaoh. The country, successively, knows three periods of prosperity, that of the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom. During the period of the Old Kingdom (3000-2200 BC) the state is organized. Near the capital Memphis, the pharaohs build gigantic tombs, the pyramids. 

During the Middle Kingdom period (2050-1800 BC) Egypt flourished. To protect themselves from raids, the Egyptians fortify the borders of the country. The capital is moved to Thebes, in Upper Egypt. During the period of the New Kingdom (1600-1100 BC) Egypt follows an imperialist policy and expands towards the South and the East. Near Thebes the pharaohs build their tombs "in the valley of the kings" and build splendid temples, such as Karnak, Luxor and Abu Simbe

The Pharaoh is considered the son of the supreme god of the Egyptians, Osiris. He is absolute sovereign, commands the army and is the highest religious official. Pharaoh uses a multitude of government officials to rule.

Peasants make up nine-tenths of the Egyptian population and do not own the estates they cultivate. They pay the owners of the land (Pharaoh, government officials, priesthood) heavy taxes. Artisans live in cities. They are carpenters, builders, blacksmiths, metalworkers, goldsmiths, woodcarvers and stonemasons. The desert mines are mainly staffed by prisoners of war.