General Overview Of Egyptian Culture: Analytical Essay

Introduction and Geography

Egypt is an Arab nation in the far northeast of Africa. A small part of Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula, spans Asia. Almost the entire territory of just over 1 million km² is covered by dry deserts, which are part of the Sahara. It rarely rains, and its people could not survive without the Nile River, source of almost all of the country’s water. Practically the entire population lives along the Nile or near the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. Egypt is the most populous Arab nation, with over 70 million inhabitants. Cairo, the capital, is the largest city in both Africa and the Arab world.

History

More than 4000 years before Christ, the rise of agricultural techniques allowed the emergence of many new civilizations around the world. In northeast Africa, in a region of desert characteristics, Egyptian culture flourished thanks to the abundant water resources and fertile lands on the banks of the Nile. The water cycle in this region promoted the regular overflow of the river, which, during the drought, left a rich organic material on the surface of their lands. Realizing this, the Egyptians could develop a prosperous civilization that expanded thanks to the abundant harvests they had. In this way, we can define the process of development and growth of the Egyptians. Roughly around 3000 BC, there were two different parts of Egypt, an Upper and Lower Egypt. These two regions were united by Menes, who came to be the first Pharaoh of Egypt. His government was concentrated in the southern city of Thinis. He began the formation of one of the greatest empires of the ancient world.

After being unified, Egypt went through a time of prosperity during a succession of many dynasties. Egypt remained very Egyptian in their practices and were entirely their own. In around 525 BC, Egypt was taken over by the Persian empire under the rule of King Darius I, who ‘built temples and presented himself like a pharaoh to Egypt (Ancient Egypt).’ Still, it only lasted for 100 years because of the invasion of Alexander the Great. After his death, a line of Macedonians ruled Egypt. Cleopatra was the last of the descendants to rule. Romans took over, which is when Christianity was introduced to Egypt. Years later, Arabians conquered Egypt, introducing Islam and starting the Modern age.

The history of Egypt is more than five thousand years old. Tourists from all over the world visit the country to see the monuments and immense temples of ancient Egypt, such as the pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Al-Azhar University, founded around 970 in Cairo, is one of the oldest and most famous in the world.

Social Structure

Egypt was structured like a pyramid (Egyptian Social Structure, 2008). At the top of the social hierarchy was Pharaoh: head of state and reincarnation of the god Horus. Directly below were the government officials, such as priests, who were responsible for organizing religious services and festivities. They also acted as the Pharaoh’s counselors.

Next, the nobles and scribes were in charge of the organization and administration of the state. The protection of the king was provided by the soldiers, and subsistence was the responsibility of the peasants.

This social organization also had the artisans and a small portion of slaves, which, together with the peasants, were used in the construction of public works.

Subsistence

Egypt was formed along the Nile river, and the base of the economy was agriculture (Kjeilen, T). Their harvest was plentiful and sufficient for subsistence in times of drought.

The Egyptians grew wheat, barley, and also planted onion, leek, garlic, lettuce, watermelon, cucumber, melon, chickpea, lentil, apple, pomegranate, olive, avocado, and date. Papyrus, a type of bamboo, was also grown. Through it was made the paper used in the writing system of the Egyptians.

Economy

The Asiatic mode of production prevailed. The state/Pharaoh owned all the land, controlling the agricultural work. In addition to agriculture, the Egyptian state also controlled many other economic activities through its officials, managing quarries, mines, and construction. Most Egyptians lived in bondage, forced to support tax-paying elites in goods or labor.

There was no system of physical money in Egypt (Kjeilen, T). Instead, it was based on a system of exchange of goods and services through an equivalence system. They exchanged things such as wheat and craft products (clothes).

The main economic activities were divided into three areas. The first one is agriculture, which included wheat, beer, flax (fabrics) and papyrus (paper) cultivation. Second, livestock. Oxen, donkeys, rams, pigs, birds, and horses were raised. For most of the population, meat was a luxury and was consumed only on special occasions. Lastly, was trade. Egyptians usually exported gold, minerals, wheat, linen fabrics, and ceramics, and imported ivory, perfumes, and silver. It was state-controlled, sending expeditions to Palestine, Crete, and Phenicia.

Religion

The Egyptians were extremely religious and believed in the existence of various gods, which is called polytheism. According to the belief of the population, the lives of every one were determined by those deities who had specific powers. Everything that happened in society was explained through the will of these entities. To please the gods and ensure their protection, the Egyptians offered them many sacrifices. The religious influence was so extreme that the Pharaoh, supreme ruler of the Nile region, was considered an incarnate god, and because of this, deserved all respect and worship. He was sent to rule Egypt. This association strengthened the government and Pharaoh himself, being revered and worshipped by society.

The ancient religion of Egypt was sacred, and the temples, being divine places, were forbidden to the people, and only Pharaoh and the priests had access to it. This created differences between the religion practiced by the people and the high religious class. It also led to the worship of different gods, and it was even common for each city to have its god of preference.

One of the essential features of the Egyptian religion was the belief in an afterlife. According to this idea, the deceased were tried at the Osiris Court according to his actions in life, and if he could prove that his conduct was based on the moral principles of the time, the afterlife was guaranteed.

This whole ritual afterlife was guided through the Book of the Dead, a set of texts that were left alongside a sarcophagus, where the person wanting the afterlife described his conduct and called for the liberation of his soul. These activities gave rise to one of the best-known practices of ancient Egypt, which was called mummification.

The mummification process was simple. It was started with the removal of all organs of the corpse, including the brain and heart. Then, the body was left resting in a container of salted water for seventy days. Dehydrated, it was filled with sawdust, herbs, and some sacred texts. After all these steps, it was bandaged, placed in a coffin, and buried in tombs inside the pyramids.

Family

The Egyptians were family people. In the early days, the men ruled the family, but later the women won the same position (still obeying their husbands). It consisted only of parents and their children. There were no uncles, aunts, and cousins. They also lived in towns and villages along the Nile Valley.

Marriages were arranged by the children’s parents through an agreement between them. It would also happen when the children were young at around 12 or 14 years old.

Government

The Egyptians believed that their king, the Pharaoh, was a deity, and because of this, he was an absolute ruler. Ancient Egypt has always been a theocracy form of government, which people call themselves representatives of deities exercise power.

The government structure started with the Pharaoh, but he could not govern by himself. So he was assisted by officials and priests, who were in charge of the welfare of people and the state.

Religion played a fundamental role in the government. They both together brought order to society, such as the creation of temples, taxation, and laws, and the participation in trades with other countries.

Education

The Egyptians devoted much of their time to study. Their learning was through transcriptions of hymns, and holy books, and accompanied by moral lectures. In addition to writing, arithmetic was taught to them, with systems of calculation, complicated geometry, knowledge of botany, zoology, mineralogy, and geography.

Schools were reserved for wealthier families. They usually just sent their boys. Girls did not attend because their education was conducted at home by their mothers. The schools also functioned as temples and in some houses were attended by just over twenty students. The classrooms looked similar to today’s, including a teacher and tables.

Lower classes did not have the opportunity to send their children to school. So the only way to learn was to teach them from home. Fathers taught boys how to read, trade, and sculpture art. Some of these teachings were to develop their children’s abilities so that they could work as tomb-builders. The girls were taught by their mother’s things, such as household duties (Ancient Egyptian Education).

Writing

Writing was also an important feature. Three distinct codes were created. The first one was the Hieroglyphic (Barrow, 2013). It was made up of over 700 symbols and the sacred writing of the tombs.

Second, was Hieratic, a simplification of hieroglyphics. Its use was linked to religion and power. Lastly, was Demotic, which was formed by more than 350 characters, and used in transactions performed by scribes.

Modern Times

The culture of Egypt has changed in so many different fields throughout the time. Its official language is Arabic. There is a physical system of money, which is called the Egyptian pound. Most of the Egyptian population is concentrated near the Nile River. The banks of the river are the only part of the country conducive to the development of agricultural crops, and the Sahara desert regions are narrowly populated. At least 50% of the country’s population lives in large urban centers, especially the capital, Cairo, and Alexandria.

The primary sector of the Egyptian economy is tourism. Every year thousands of foreigners go to Egypt to visit the ancient pyramids and the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Another industry that generates a lot of money is oil. Its production and exportation are essential for capturing financial revenues. The country still has reserves of natural gas, coal, manganese, iron ore, and uranium. The industrial sector, little diversified, is based on food production, textiles, and oil refining.

Politically, Egypt has a democratic republican system (Political System, 2005). It is based on democracy, in which everyone has equal rights. The president is elected for a term of six years and may be re-elected for further terms. The implementation of the general state policy is formulated and supervised by him. He is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Egyptian religion is predominantly Muslim, which is about 85-90% of the population. Almost all Muslims in Egypt are Sunnis, with a small Shiite community that makes up the rest. Egypt is home to the world’s most influential Sunni institution, called Al-Azhar University. It is the oldest Islamic institution of higher education (founded around 970 AD) and is considered by many to be the oldest existing university in the world.

Another aspect that differs from the old Egypt is family. First, all members are very close and might be headed by men, fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. Women are also important in society, although due to Islamic laws, they remain mostly in the shadows. Second, weddings are celebrated with luxury. All the family and friends get together and close the streets so that the banquet, the ceremony, and the popular dances take place. It is customary for the newlyweds to drive through the streets of the neighborhood in the middle of everybody.

Lastly, the key to modernization has been the implementation of technology and science (Hyde). According to Hyde, ‘In Egypt, universities have been expanded, new departments and institutes have been set up, and attempts have been made to plan research and development.’ This statement also shows how education has improved and developed throughout time, with the expansion of universities.

Conclusion

This research paper talks about Egyptian Culture (since Ancient Egypt to Modern times) and includes some aspects such as subsistence, economics, family, government, religion, education, and Modernism. First, the economy was based on agriculture. The shores of the Nile River were plentiful and sufficient for subsistence. Second, the family was important. They taught their children in many ways, from household responsibilities to reading and writing. The schools were also essential to educate them, but there were a limited number of schools due to a reservation to wealthier families. Lastly, the religion was based on polytheism, the existence of various gods, and Pharaoh was considered an incarnate one. He was also an absolute ruler and at the top of the social hierarchy.

Throughout time, Modernism has been introduced and changed these aspects. Tourism is the main economic field. People from all over the world go to Egypt to visit the pyramids and shores. Its system of politics is based on a democratic-republican, always prevailing democracy. It also has a president who formulates and supervises the general state of policy. In addition, most of the population are Muslims. Education has advanced and improved by technology and science. More universities and schools have been implemented, helping families’ children to have better discipline. Finally, families are still prominent. Their members are more close and united with each other.

In conclusion, even with the differences presented between Ancient Egypt and Modernism, the Egyptian culture was shaped by the knowledge, values, and beliefs provided from old days to modern ones.