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18. Egypt - Fall of the Pharaohs

Fall of Civilizations・150 minutes read

Al Bagdadi traveled through ancient cities and was fascinated by Egypt's history, especially the pyramids at Giza, highlighting the ancient civilization's grandeur and architectural prowess, with a focus on key figures and events shaping Egypt's legacy.

Insights

  • Al Bagdadi, a medieval Arab traveler, was deeply impressed by the ancient monuments and pyramids in Egypt, particularly the Great Pyramid at Giza.
  • The Nile River, crucial for human settlement and development in Egypt, played a central role in the civilization's growth and sustenance.
  • The construction of pyramids in Egypt involved skilled artisans and laboring peasants working seasonally, reshaping the Egyptian government and economy.
  • The Middle Kingdom of Egypt was marked by territorial expansion, brutal campaigns, and a decline into chaos and rebellion.
  • Akhenaten, the first monotheist in history, faced resistance in Egypt for his new religious beliefs, leading to the construction of a new capital city.
  • Ramses II, a great Pharaoh of Egypt, achieved a stalemate victory at the Battle of Kadesh and established the first written peace treaty with the Hittites.
  • The decline of ancient Egypt, marked by internal unrest, economic decline, and foreign invasions, culminated in the rise of the Kushite pharaohs who adopted Egyptian culture and ruled Egypt.

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Recent questions

  • What inspired Al Bagdadi's journey to Egypt?

    Al Bagdadi embarked on his journey to Egypt around 1200 AD after studying law, medicine, and philosophy, inspired by classical philosophers like Aristotle. His travels took him to cities like Mosul, Jerusalem, Damascus, and Aleppo before reaching Egypt in 1204, where he was struck by the ancient monuments and stories that fascinated him.

  • What fascinated Al Bagdadi about Egypt?

    Egypt, enclosed by hills with the Nile running through it, fascinated Al Bagdadi with its temples, tomb complexes, and most notably, the pyramids at Giza. The pyramids, numerous and varying in size and material, particularly impressed Al Bagdadi, with three standing out for their immense size and inspiring poets. He marveled at the Sphinx near the pyramids, noting its buried body and elegantly portrayed features, showcasing the engineering mastery required for such constructions.

  • How did the Nile impact ancient Egyptian civilization?

    The Nile, the longest or second-longest river globally, originating from Lake Victoria and flowing through Egypt, has been crucial for human settlement and development in the region. Human presence in Egypt dates back to ancient times, with migrations along the Nile leading to the establishment of settlements, towns, cities, and kingdoms, shaping the civilization of ancient Egypt. The annual Nile flood, timed by the rising of the star Sirius, refreshed the land for agriculture, with the Egyptian year divided into flood, growing, and harvest seasons.

  • What challenges did pyramid builders face?

    Pyramid builders faced challenges such as completing pyramids within 30 years, with only kings with long reigns seeing the final capstone placed. Unfinished pyramids like Sekmet and Kabar's showcased the difficulties in pyramid construction. The builders were a mix of professional artisans and laboring peasants, not slaves, working seasonally in exchange for rations. The vast administrative effort of building pyramids led to a restructuring of Egyptian government, with skilled individuals promoted on merit.

  • How did the decline of centralized power affect Egypt?

    The decline of centralized power in Egypt is evident in tomb inscriptions like Atifi's, showcasing the fracturing of Egypt. Thieves, led by Menu Hotap II, clashed with Henen Nut in the North, leading to a decisive victory and the reunification of Egypt. The Middle Kingdom of Egypt followed, marked by a lack of grand monuments but a flourishing of literature like the Tale of Sinu and the Tales of Wonder. The era of massive pyramids began to decline after Khafre's construction, with subsequent pharaohs opting for smaller structures due to changing religious beliefs and concerns over tomb robbers.

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Summary

00:00

Al Bagdadi's Journey: Egypt's Ancient Wonders

  • Around 1200 AD, ABD Al Latif Al Bagdad, a medieval Arab traveler and scholar, embarked on a journey after studying law, medicine, and philosophy, inspired by classical philosophers like Aristotle.
  • Al Bagdadi traveled to cities like Mosul, Jerusalem, Damascus, and Aleppo before reaching Egypt in 1204, where he was struck by the ancient monuments and stories.
  • Egypt, enclosed by hills with the Nile running through it, fascinated Al Bagdadi with its temples, tomb complexes, and most notably, the pyramids at Giza.
  • The pyramids at Giza, numerous and varying in size and material, particularly impressed Al Bagdadi, with three standing out for their immense size and inspiring poets.
  • Local people living near the pyramids engaged in climbing, quarrying, and exploring tunnels beneath the structures, with some tales of bats and inscriptions in ancient characters.
  • Al Bagdadi also visited the Sphinx near the pyramids, noting its buried body and elegantly portrayed features, marveling at the engineering mastery required for such constructions.
  • The Great Pyramid at Giza, the tallest man-made structure in the world around 1200 AD, stood as a testament to the civilization that thrived on the banks of the Nile for over 3,700 years.
  • Egypt's history, spanning 31 dynasties over 3,000 years, is divided into the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom, with periods of flourishing and decline.
  • The Nile, the longest or second-longest river globally, originating from Lake Victoria and flowing through Egypt, has been crucial for human settlement and development in the region.
  • Human presence in Egypt dates back to ancient times, with migrations along the Nile leading to the establishment of settlements, towns, cities, and kingdoms, shaping the civilization of ancient Egypt.

21:23

Nile's significance in ancient Egyptian civilization

  • Sailing against the current to Aswan was easier due to wind direction, while the return journey downstream was effortless.
  • Aswan's rocky desert landscape was rich in natural resources like gemstones, copper, and gold.
  • The Red Cliffs gave way to a wider floodplain around the river, supporting a larger population and leading to the growth of the city of Thieves (Waset).
  • Egyptian cities were typically built on the Eastern Bank of the river, with the Western Bank reserved for burials and tombs.
  • Middle Egypt's floodplain teemed with wildlife and vegetation, with the Nile diverting to create the large Oasis of Faiyum.
  • Faiyum was home to Nile crocodiles, with Egyptians even taming them in temples for sacred purposes.
  • Crocodiles were hunted for food using baited pigs, while hippopotamuses were also present in the river.
  • The strategic location known as the "balance of the two lands" marked the split of the Nile into its Delta, leading to the establishment of Memphis and later, Modern Cairo.
  • The annual Nile flood, timed by the rising of the star Sirius, refreshed the land for agriculture, with the Egyptian year divided into flood, growing, and harvest seasons.
  • The Egyptians developed systems like nilometers to measure the Nile's flood levels, crucial for predicting agricultural outcomes and potential famine or abundance.

41:51

"Building Pyramids: Egypt's Architectural Revolution"

  • Nare built a new capital named Memphis at the balance of the two lands, where the River met the Delta.
  • Bodies of deceased kings were taken back to Thinis in Upper Egypt for mummification and burial until Hotep Sakm started a new burial ground near Memphis.
  • Sakara, on the Western Bank of the river, was chosen for the new burial ground, a raised Plateau visible from Memphis.
  • Imotep, a visionary architect, decided to build Josa's tomb out of stone, creating a stepped pyramid design.
  • Josa's pyramid, standing six layers high and made of cut stone, was a revolutionary step in Egyptian architecture.
  • Pyramids had to be completed within 30 years, with only kings with long reigns seeing the final capstone placed.
  • Sekmet and Kabar's unfinished pyramids showcased the challenges faced in pyramid construction.
  • Pyramid builders were a mix of professional artisans and laboring peasants, not slaves, working seasonally in exchange for rations.
  • The vast administrative effort of building pyramids led to a restructuring of Egyptian government, with skilled individuals promoted on merit.
  • Snu, Egypt's most ardent pyramid builder, attempted to build a perfect geometrical pyramid, resulting in the failed Maom and Bent pyramids.

01:02:14

"Legacy of Egypt's Great Pyramid Builders"

  • Snefru achieved his desired pyramid, the first to take the iconic shape of an Egyptian pyramid, standing at 105 meters high, nearly twice the height of Djoser's pyramid.
  • Snefru was buried in this pyramid upon his death, with his son, Khufu, succeeding him as the greatest pyramid builder.
  • Khufu, inspired by his father's ambition, aimed to build the largest pyramid ever, learning from past mistakes and selecting a site 15 km northwest of Sakara at Giza.
  • The Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed using 2.3 million large stone blocks, totaling 6 million tons, with the interior structure made of local limestone and the outer shell of high-quality white limestone from Tura.
  • Stones were transported to the construction site via canals and artificial harbors, with a work journal detailing the process of hauling stones.
  • The Great Pyramid was perfectly oriented to True North, built with exceptional precision using star measurements, taking approximately 23 years to complete around 2560 BC.
  • Khufu's pyramid stood 147 meters high, remaining the world's tallest structure for nearly 4,000 years until the collapse of Lincoln Cathedral's wooden spire in 1311.
  • Khufu's legacy is primarily represented by his ambitious pyramid, with little known about him beyond his monumental construction achievements.
  • Khufu's son, Khafre, built a grand pyramid next to his father's, slightly shorter but strategically placed on a higher shelf of limestone, retaining some original casing stones.
  • The era of massive pyramids began to decline after Khafre's construction, with subsequent pharaohs opting for smaller structures due to changing religious beliefs and concerns over tomb robbers.

01:22:03

Egypt's Turbulent Transition: Pharaohs, Drought, and Rebellion

  • Pharaoh Pepe was relatively ineffectual during his childhood, with his mother and Grand Viers ruling on his behalf.
  • Egypt was governed by nomarchs appointed by the pharaoh, but during Pepe's reign, power shifted to these regional governors.
  • A severe drought, known as the 4.2 kiloyear event, hit Egypt around 2200 BC, leading to reduced Nile floods and agricultural pressure.
  • Pepe's long reign led to a succession crisis after his death, with 17 pharaohs ruling in chaos and instability.
  • King Iby attempted to build a pyramid but ruled for only 2 years, leading to provincial governors declaring independence.
  • The decline of centralized power is evident in tomb inscriptions like Atifi's, showcasing the fracturing of Egypt.
  • Thieves, led by Menu Hotap II, clashed with Henen Nut in the North, leading to a decisive victory and the reunification of Egypt.
  • The Middle Kingdom of Egypt followed, marked by a lack of grand monuments but a flourishing of literature like the Tale of Sinu and the Tales of Wonder.
  • The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor, written around 1900 BC, is possibly the first true piece of literature, focusing on an ordinary man's fantastical situation.
  • The Papyrus Lansing provides insight into the lives of common people in Egypt, detailing various professions like washermen, potters, cobblers, and florists.

01:43:28

Ancient Egypt: Daily Life and Conquests

  • Most of Egypt's people were peasant farmers who also engaged in other professions, often practicing farming alongside their main work.
  • Egyptian women were responsible for baking bread daily, using clay molds and getting creative with shapes like spirals and animals.
  • Egyptians had a varied diet including garlic, onions, cucumbers, gourds, melons, beans, lentils, chickpeas, and tiger nuts, all cooked in olive oil.
  • Meat was also consumed, including beef, lamb, pork, goat, quail, pigeon, duck, geese, partridge, and even hedgehogs.
  • Beer was a popular daily drink in Egypt, with breweries run by women and festivals like the tech Festival celebrated with excessive beer consumption.
  • Grain storage was crucial in Egypt, but mice and rats posed a constant threat, mitigated by the presence of domestic cats.
  • Cats were revered in Egypt for their utility in controlling pests, leading to their domestication and adoration, even being buried with offerings.
  • The Middle Kingdom saw Egypt expand its territory into the Horizon lands, subjugating Nubian kingdoms and building fortresses to secure its borders.
  • Senusret III led brutal campaigns into Nubia, capturing women, poisoning wells, and building fortresses with inscriptions boasting of his conquests.
  • The Second Intermediate Period followed the Middle Kingdom's decline, marked by succession crises, female rulers like Sobekneferu, and eventual chaos and rebellion in Egypt.

02:04:24

Ancient eruption triggers myths and conquests.

  • The seawater-filled volcanic crater left by the eruption is more than 10 km wide.
  • The eruption may have ejected more than 40 square km of rock into the atmosphere.
  • The black plume would have been Riven with volcanic lightning.
  • The eruption triggered tsunamis 10 m high, devastating coastal regions and causing a volcanic winter.
  • The eruption potentially wiped out the Manan civilization on Crete, inspiring part of the Atlantis myth.
  • Chronicles from China record a period when the sky turned a strange yellow color and crop yields fell.
  • An Egyptian inscription known as The Tempest Stela may record some memory of the event.
  • The Hixus, originating possibly from Syria, intended to conquer Egypt and rule it.
  • The Hixus brought chariots into Egypt, a technology Egypt had not previously used.
  • Camosa, a king of Thebes, led a successful campaign against the Hixus, recapturing Memphis and expanding Egypt's borders.

02:24:30

Akhenaten: Egypt's Monotheistic Pharaoh

  • Pharaoh Amonhotep changed his name to Pharaoh Akhenaten to reflect his new monotheistic beliefs.
  • Akhenaten was the first person in history to start a new religion and the first monotheist in history.
  • He closed down temples dedicated to the god Amon and sent workers to remove Amon's name from various structures.
  • Akhenaten faced resistance from the powerful Priestly class in Thebes, leading him to decide to build a new capital city called The Horizon of the Aten.
  • The construction of the new capital took 8 years and was completed in the 12th year of his reign.
  • Akhenaten held a grand ceremony in 1342 BC at the new capital, receiving delegations from various regions.
  • A plague spread throughout the Middle East, affecting Egypt and causing numerous deaths, including possibly within Akhenaten's family.
  • Akhenaten died a few years later, and his family attempted to maintain the Aten cult but eventually reverted to worshipping the god Amon.
  • Tutankhamun, Akhenaten's son, became pharaoh and reversed his father's reforms, restoring the worship of Amon and other gods.
  • Tutankhamun's tomb remained sealed and untouched until its discovery by Howard Carter in 1922, revealing famous artifacts like the golden burial mask.

02:44:22

Battle of Kadesh: Ramses' Victory and Legacy

  • Hittite soldiers began looting, believing the battle was over, but Egyptian reinforcements and elite charioteers arrived, causing the Hittites to withdraw.
  • Ramses describes the chaotic battle scene, where Hittite soldiers fell upon each other, unable to rise.
  • The next day, both sides clashed again, but were weakened, leading to Ramses withdrawing and the Hittite King offering peace.
  • Ramses lacked siege equipment to take the city of Kadesh, so he declared victory and returned to Egypt.
  • Despite the stalemate, both sides claimed victory, and Kadesh remained unresolved.
  • The first written peace treaty was established between Ramses and the Hittites, ensuring eternal peace and brotherhood.
  • The treaty was inscribed on silver tablets in hieroglyphics and Hittite cuneiform, with slightly different wordings.
  • Ramses shifted focus to construction after the battle, building temples and monuments across Egypt.
  • Ramses' prolific building campaign ensured his name was inscribed deeply in stone, making it indelible.
  • Ramses ruled for 66 years, leaving a lasting legacy as one of Egypt's greatest Pharaohs, with his name inscribed on numerous monuments.

03:05:01

Rameses III's Victory and Egypt's Struggles

  • Rameses received news of the sea peoples' fleet heading to Egypt, detailed in an inscription at his Mortuary Temple at Medinet Habu.
  • The sea peoples, including Peleset, Theel, Shees, Denen, and Wes, united and advanced confidently towards Egypt.
  • Rameses planned to ambush the sea peoples at the mouth of the Nile, utilizing the Egyptian Army's strengths in the fertile Delta.
  • The Egyptian Army, equipped with warships and warriors, laid an ambush for the sea peoples, launching a surprise attack.
  • Archers, spearmen, and cavalry concealed in the reeds attacked the sea peoples' fleet as it approached, causing panic among the invaders.
  • Egyptian spearmen met the sea peoples on the banks, while the Egyptian Navy sailed in to further engage the enemy.
  • The Egyptians successfully repelled the sea peoples, turning back their ships and defeating them on land, securing Egypt's victory.
  • Despite the victory, Egypt faced challenges post the late Bronze Age collapse, with economic decline and internal unrest.
  • A workers' strike during Rameses III's reign highlighted Egypt's struggles, leading to internal disputes and a weakened treasury.
  • Rameses III's assassination during the Haram conspiracy, orchestrated by Queen Ti and others, led to a period of instability in Egypt's royal succession.

03:25:33

Rise and Fall of Nubian Pharaohs

  • The New Kingdom of Egypt was fractured, allowing the Kushites to build their power base in Nubia.
  • Kush adopted Egyptian gods and forms of worship, with the upper classes embracing Egyptian religion.
  • Kushite Kings built pyramids in Egyptian style and became wealthy from Nubian gold mines and trade.
  • King Kashta of Kush gained influence over high priests and claimed Upper Egypt for Kush.
  • King Pi of Kush marched down the Nile, conquered Lower Egypt, and united Egypt under the 25th Dynasty.
  • The Nubian pharaohs of the 25th Dynasty adopted Egyptian culture, language, and gods.
  • King Taharqa of Nubia repelled the Assyrian army's first invasion with a fantastical story involving field mice.
  • Taharqa's successful reign saw abundant crops, temple restorations, and donations to the Temple of Amun.
  • Assyria's King Esarhaddon invaded Egypt, defeated Taharqa, and captured Memphis, boasting of his victory.
  • Taharqa's nephew, Tanutamun, faced Assyrian King Ashurbanipal's forces, leading to the symbolic end of Egyptian power.

03:45:39

Legacy of Ancient Egypt: Temples, Poems, Ruins

  • Worship of ancient gods continued at the last of Egypt's great temples, with names like Rah, Anubis, Amon, and Horus still spoken and sung.
  • The temple, isolated by changing times, had a hieroglyphic inscription by a scribe named Nesm ER Akim, expressing a wish for enduring legacy.
  • The temple was closed in the 530s by Byzantine emperor Justinian, converted into a Christian Church dedicated to St. Steven, marking the end of ancient Egypt's era.
  • Romantic poets Percy Bish Shell and Horus Smith engaged in a competition inspired by a fragment of a statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, with Shell's resulting poem, "Ozymandias," becoming a classic.
  • The poem "Ozymandias" reflects on the pride of rulers, the downfall of tyrants, the power of time, and the transient nature of all things, resonating with the Harper song from ancient Egypt.
  • The Harper song, a funeral song in hieroglyphics over 4,200 years old, and "Ozymandias" both evoke a sense of awe and melancholy at the ruins of past civilizations, highlighting the passage of time and the impermanence of human achievements.
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