Pyramids continued to be built during the Middle Kingdom but as they comprised of mud bricks with stone casing, they have not survived. The nomarchs were eventually brought under the authority of the 12th dynasty, which revived the styles of the Old Kingdom. Instead, ‘nomarchs’ (local leaders) seem to have assumed functional control, with their inscriptions notably focusing on the provision of food and improvement of irrigation systems in these times of climatic change. A new dynasty declared rulership from the south as the Old Kingdom dwindled, but its authority was only nominal. Overuse of economic resources and severe droughts brought Egypt’s first golden age to an end. Whilst later dynasties shifted toward Osiris, god of the dead, with spells and rituals ensuring a ‘good’ afterlife. Increasingly, kings came to associate themselves with Re, the sun god. Trade was widespread and the Palermo Tablet recorded a military campaign southwards to secure trade routes with Eritrea and beyond, allowing access to products like incense and myrrh. The three main Pyramids of Giza with subsidiary pyramids and remains (Credit: Kennyomg, CC 4.0) This most likely kept slaves few in number throughout Ancient Egyptian history. Egypt’s farmers had significant free time after the harvest and were supplied with bread rations and up to five litres of beer a day when they were pyramid-building. These massive building projects of the Old Kingdom were made possible by efficient agriculture. King Sneferu, 4th dynasty founder, built three pyramids, while his sons and grandsons created the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World: The Pyramids of Giza (completed around 2,500 BC). The Memphite area would see the vast majority of construction projects during Egypt’s first golden age, the Old Kingdom. But, to varying degrees, the monarchs of Egypt considered themselves gods on earth from the very beginning.įinally, although King Narmer’s capital was at Abydos, he built Memphis (near modern Cairo) 500 km north to control his northern conquests. The term ‘Pharaoh’ didn’t appear for over 1,000 years (during the New Kingdom). It’s architect was possibly the high priest and chief councillor Imohtep, who later became considered the god of healing. Papyrus was invented in this period, and basic hieroglyphs first appeared.Īmong the earliest pyramids ever built was the Step Pyramid of Djoser – the oldest large stone structure in the world, built over 4,600 years ago at Ṣaqqārah, near Memphis. 31st Century BC (Credit: Public Domain)īefore the emergence of the kingdoms came many developments now synonymous with Ancient Egypt. On alternate sides of the palette King Narmer wears the bulbed white crown and the level red crown c. The Narmer Palette, containing some of the earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions on record, is thought to depict the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.
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