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| Kingdom of Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 | |
|---|---|
| c. 2686 BCE–c. 2181 BCE | |
 Map of Egypt (yellow) and nearby countries in 2600 BCE | |
| Capital | Men-nefer |
| Common languages | Old Egyptian |
| Dominant mode of production | Slavery |
| Government | Theocratic absolute monarchy |
| Population | |
• 2500 BCE estimate | 1,600,000 |
The Kingdom of Egypt, now known as the Old Kingdom to distinguish it from later kingdoms, was an ancient Bronze Age civilization that existed from around 2700 to 2200 BCE and was ruled by the third through sixth dynasties of ancient Egypt. Along with Sumer, it was one of the first human civilizations. Egypt was bordered by Cushitic tribes to the south and Berbers to the west, and its kings waged constant wars against their neighbors.[1]
Background[edit | edit source]
Unification of Egypt[edit | edit source]
Egypt was originally divided into many independent districts (nomes). These nomes gradually coalesced into the kingdoms of Upper (southern) and Lower (northern) Egypt. Before 3000 BCE, Upper Egypt conquered Lower Egypt after a long war. The first known ruler of all of Egypt was either Meni or Narmer; they may have been two names of the same person. Narmer established his capital at Men-nefer.[1]
Early Dynastic Period[edit | edit source]
From around 3000 to 2800 BCE, two dynasties ruled from the city of Tjeni in Upper Egypt. Under the First Dynasty, Egypt began expanding south into Ethiopia, west into Libya, and east into the Sinai. Under the Second Dynasty, King Khaisekhemwi put down a rebellion in Lower Egypt. As a result, about 47,000 people were killed and 120,000 were enslaved.[1]
Third Dynasty[edit | edit source]
During the reign of Djeser, the architect Iiemhotep designed the first Egyptian pyramid, which was 60 meters tall.[1]
Fourth Dynasty[edit | edit source]
King Seneferwi led invasions of neighboring peoples, capturing 7,000 people and 200,000 cattle from the Kushites and 1,100 people from the Libyan Berbers. He also conquered several copper mines on the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt brought cedar from the Phoenician city of Gebal (Byblos) and sent trading expeditions to Kush to buy ebony, incense, and perfumes. Under Seneferwi's reign, the Egyptians built two pyramids which were 99 and 100 meters tall.[1]
Under the reign of Khuefwi, Seneferwi's son, Egypt built the 146.5-meter tall pyramid of Giza, which was made of 2.3 million polished blocks that each weighed about 2.5 tons. Khuefwi's son Khaefra built a pyramid that was 143 meters tall, and Khaefra's son Menkaura built a 66-meter pyramid. Next to the pyramids, there were stone tombs for royal officials.[1]
Collapse[edit | edit source]
The construction of the pyramids depleted Egypt's economy and led to the collapse of the king's power. At the end of the Sixth Dynasty, the central power of the state collapsed and governors began running their nomes independently.[1]
Government[edit | edit source]
The kings of ancient Egypt, also known as pharaohs, owned vast amounts of land, food, and workers. They were considered living forms of the god Hor. The highest official below the king was the supreme potentate (tjati), who directed several state departments and the judiciary. Each district had its own governor (nomarch).[1]
Economy[edit | edit source]
Class system[edit | edit source]
The ruling class consisted of the royalty and high nobility. There were also free peasants and artisans, who had a similar status to low-ranking officials and priests. Slaves were taken from war captives or native Egyptians who fell into debt.[1]
The king and nobles owned estates with many slaves, including bakers, craftsmen, farmers, hunters. Estate managers oversaw scribes and grain counters.[1]
Commoners could own land and sell it or pass it on to their children, but small landowners were sometimes forced to sell their land to officials. Landowners could also give up land as a gift to the dead. Free craftsmen built tombs in exchange for commodities.[1]
Agriculture[edit | edit source]
The ancient Egyptian economy was based on agriculture, and the ruler oversaw a system of irrigation canals and dams. Farmers grew cereal, cucumbers, garlic, and onions, and boats carried barley and wheat from Upper to Lower Egypt. They grew grapes for wine and papyrus for writing. The Egyptians also raised bees and chickens and fished in the Nile. Larger livestock grazed on meadows and lived alongside wild animals such as antelopes and gazelles.[1]
Mining[edit | edit source]
Egypt harvested stone from nearby mountains, but the Nile valley lacked useful metals. The Egyptians mined copper in the Sinai, gold in the desert between the Nile and the Red Sea, lead and zinc on the Red Sea coast, and silver from Anatolia. Iron was also available in Anatolia but was not used for tools during the Old Kingdom.[1]
Trade[edit | edit source]
The Ancient Egyptians used grain or occasionally copper ingots to measure value while bartering.[1]