Ancient Egypt

The mystery surrounding ancient Egypt is a popular draw for visitors to the modern country in North Africa. Many travelers arrive in Cairo anticipating their visit to the Giza pyramids, the Nile River, and King Tut’s tomb. Whether you have a specific interest in Ancient Egyptian Gods or are simply fascinated by their architecture and achievements, the legacy of this civilization is sure to leave you amazed. The physical geography of Ancient Egypt has remained in the form of pyramids and temples, and the wealth of knowledge that this civilization was able to develop leaves many visitors feeling inspired.

The ancient Egyptian pyramids are the single most popular attraction for a trip to Egypt and are often thought of as the quintessential symbol for the high level of achievement and skilled engineering. In eastern North Africa, Ancient Egypt developed along the Nile River, and the civilization has a long history, with periods of success and decline spread over 3,000 years. Life in Ancient Egypt changed over time, from the days of the first pharaoh in approximately 3150 BC to 31 BC, when the Roman Empire took over. The peak of success for the civilization is a period called the New Kingdom, which dates to about 1350 BC. After this time of stability, Ancient Egypt slowly declined until the Romans saw their opportunity to conquer and make Egypt a province.

The ancient Egyptian gods played a major role in day-to-day life. Ancient Egyptians believed that kings were divine, and this belief trickled down through the rest of society. The many gods, such as Isis, Osiris, and Ra, were called upon for their supernatural powers, and people often prayed to them for help or assistance. The ancient Egyptian gods were not easily convinced to use their supernatural powers, and people believed they had to make offerings to the gods to sway their opinions. Worship took place in temples and was a significant aspect of life in ancient Egypt. Temple ruins from this era can be seen around the country, typically dedicated to specific gods, such as the Temple of Seti in Abydos or the Edfu Temple of Horus.

The geography of ancient Egypt was dominated by the Nile River. The river contributed greatly to the success of the civilization, as it provided fertile soil for agriculture. The river was important to the development of culture as well. Because the necessity of food was easily taken care of by the abundant supply of crops, people could turn their minds to other topics; this led to significant developments in the fields of literature, art, architecture, and science. These achievements were almost certainly aided by the geography of ancient Egypt and the Nile River, as the small amount of rainfall would have made agriculture much more labor intensive.

Ancient Egypt was a sophisticated society that laid the groundwork for modern civilization. Today, the artifacts of the Egyptians are on display all over the world, and make up some of the most popular exhibits in contemporary museums. They participated in trade, spreading their papyrus to different regions of the world in exchange for rare goods. Today, ancient Egypt is remembered for the complex hieroglyphics, awe-inspiring architecture, civilized society, and intricate art. With the abundance of ruins around the country, including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Memphis and Saqqara, it's possible to spend an entire Egypt vacation exploring the remnants of one of the greatest civilizations in history.