Changes

Pharaonic culture, statecraft, literature, law, religious belief, scientific and technological advantages left a profound legacy upon the world, in particular the [[Greek civilization]] which absorbed much Egyptian learning through the Ptolemaic metropolis of [[Alexandria]].

Pharaonic culture, statecraft, literature, law, religious belief, scientific and technological advantages left a profound legacy upon the world, in particular the [[Greek civilization]] which absorbed much Egyptian learning through the Ptolemaic metropolis of [[Alexandria]].

== Geography ==

== Geography ==

The inundation defined the seasons. The [[Nile]], swollen by rains in [[Ethiopia]], never failed to rise each summer, though the level of rise varied greatly. As it rose, the water spread over the flood plain, depositing large amounts of mud, silt and organic matter, laying down a nutrient rich layer, replenishing the soil and soaking it. For three months the water remained before retreating, leaving enough moisture in the ground that no further irrigation would be necessary on the first harvest. It was this inundation that would be the foundation for Egypt’s great wealth, built not on gold, but on grain.  

The inundation defined the seasons. The [[Nile]], swollen by rains in [[Ethiopia]], never failed to rise each summer, though the level of rise varied greatly. As it rose, the water spread over the flood plain, depositing large amounts of mud, silt and organic matter, laying down a nutrient rich layer, replenishing the soil and soaking it. For three months the water remained before retreating, leaving enough moisture in the ground that no further irrigation would be necessary on the first harvest. It was this inundation that would be the foundation for Egypt’s great wealth, built not on gold, but on grain.  

== Chronology ==

== Chronology ==

=== Roman/Byzantine/Coptic Period ===

=== Roman/Byzantine/Coptic Period ===

Roman rule attempted to integrate Egypt into the trading system of the [[Roman empire]], utilizing the wealth and productivity of Egyptian agriculture to supply the Rome and it’s army, and became increasingly exploitative, leading [[Rome]] to maintain three legions in the country. Traditional Roman tolerance of other religions and ways of life also assisted their moves to consolidate control, but administrative reforms did not help the gradual decline brought about by over exploitation, unrest, and Rome’s problems elsewhere. The rise of [[Christianity]] led to further pressures, and by the time of the [[Arab]] invasion, Egypt had become depopulated, with most of her cities lying abandoned.   

Roman rule attempted to integrate Egypt into the trading system of the [[Roman empire]], utilizing the wealth and productivity of Egyptian agriculture to supply the Rome and it’s army, and became increasingly exploitative, leading [[Rome]] to maintain three legions in the country. Traditional Roman tolerance of other religions and ways of life also assisted their moves to consolidate control, but administrative reforms did not help the gradual decline brought about by over exploitation, unrest, and Rome’s problems elsewhere. The rise of [[Christianity]] led to further pressures, and by the time of the [[Arab]] invasion, Egypt had become depopulated, with most of her cities lying abandoned.   

== Government ==

== Government ==

From the time of unification onwards Egypt traded with her immediate neighbors in Nubia and southern Palestine, and by the 2nd Dynasty royal trading expeditions traded regularly with Bybos, a key Egyptian partner in foreign affairs throughout much of the Pharaonic period. Trade with Punt, a land generally regarded as lying in the region of Eritrea was established by the 5th Dynasty, if not earlier.

From the time of unification onwards Egypt traded with her immediate neighbors in Nubia and southern Palestine, and by the 2nd Dynasty royal trading expeditions traded regularly with Bybos, a key Egyptian partner in foreign affairs throughout much of the Pharaonic period. Trade with Punt, a land generally regarded as lying in the region of Eritrea was established by the 5th Dynasty, if not earlier.

== Society ==

== Society ==

The place of the military fluctuated, from a minor an important role in the Old Kingdom, which fielded no standing army, to a prominent role in the New Kingdom, where the 19th Dynasty bloodline is descended from military routes.  

The place of the military fluctuated, from a minor an important role in the Old Kingdom, which fielded no standing army, to a prominent role in the New Kingdom, where the 19th Dynasty bloodline is descended from military routes.  

== Legacy ==

== Legacy ==

Academically, the science of medicine in Egypt was well understood, and the Greeks, often considered the fathers of western medicine, acknowledged the Egyptians as the finest physicians in the known world.

Academically, the science of medicine in Egypt was well understood, and the Greeks, often considered the fathers of western medicine, acknowledged the Egyptians as the finest physicians in the known world.

== Ancient Egypt in Modern Culture ==

== Ancient Egypt in Modern Culture ==

Despite this, television programs covering new discoveries or examine particular aspects of Egyptian history (sometimes in a way that is itself confused or mis-informed) still attract a keen following, and the lives and achievements of the Pharaonic era continues to support he economy of modern Egypt though tourism, one of the three biggest foreign exchange sources in Egypt today.

Despite this, television programs covering new discoveries or examine particular aspects of Egyptian history (sometimes in a way that is itself confused or mis-informed) still attract a keen following, and the lives and achievements of the Pharaonic era continues to support he economy of modern Egypt though tourism, one of the three biggest foreign exchange sources in Egypt today.

== References ==

== References ==