Julie Engel, age 13, of Springfield, I11., for her question:
WHEN DID EGYPT DEVELOP AS A NATION?
Egypt developed as a nation in about 3100 B.C. Before that time, the land had been divided into small states that finally combined into two large ones. One of the two state, called Upper Eygpt, included territory south of the delta on the two banks of the Nile. The other state, called lower Egypt, occupied the swampy land of the delta.
A king named Menes came to the throne in Upper Eygpt in 3100 B.C. He conquered lower Egypt, occupied the delta and formed a united kingdom with the capital at Memphis.
Menes probably founded the first dynasty or series of rulers in the same family. Even after the two states became united, the peple of Eygpt still called their country the Two Lands. But the two areas remained joined.
Menes’ dynasty and the one that followed ruled Egypt for about 400 years. During this time the Egyptians developed a national government and started to use writing. They also devised a new style of architecture.
During these early days, farmers in Egypt probably learned to irrigate their fields and to use the plow. Craftsmen fashioned axes, knives and other metal tools.
The 500 year period between 2700 and 2200 B.C. is often called the Age of the Pyramids. The kings were dictators with total powers of government. During this time, the Egyptians achieved their greatest accomplishments in art and architecture.
During this time the people completed more than 20 major pyramids. The pyramid, designed by a man name Imhotep, is one of the oldest known stone structures in the world. Imhotep was also a skilled physician. The people later regarded him as a god of medicine.
Also during this period of time the government improved and expanded the capital at Memphis. In addition, the valuable copper mines in the Sinai Peninsula were developed as were massive stone quarries in Upper Eygpt.
The Age of Pyramids, or the Old Kingdom, ended in confusion. Ambitious nobles started struggling for power and provincial rules demanded independence from the weaknening central government.
Egypt suffered political and social chaos for about 150 years from 2200 to 2050 B.C. Rival families competed for the throne and civil wars were fought. This time is called the First Intermediate Period.
The Middle Kingdom started with Egypt reunited by nobles from Thebes. They built a nation in which the king did not have absolute powers. However, the strong kings of the 12th dynasty recovered complete authority.
The Middle Kingdom ran from 2050 until 1800 B.C. and it was followed by the Second Intermediate Period which ran from 1800 to 1570 B.C. Weak rulers allowed local princes to regain some of their independence. Wandering hordes of people known as the Hyksos gradually entered Egypt from Asia and dominated the country.
The Early New Kingdom ran from 1570 to 1300 B.C. The Egyptians drove out the invaders, restored peace and strengthened the nation’s economy.