Ancient Egypt: Old, Middle, And New Kingdom :: History Egypt Essays

OutlineI. Thesis Ancient Egyptians were the basis for many western traditions.Their influences are notable in art, architecture, and religion.II. The sometime(a) groundA. Zoser, the first pharaoh.1. built the famed Step Pyramid2. brought unity to EgyptB. Religion1. creation2. godsC. ArtD. Downfall of the overage commonwealthIII. The Middle KingdomA. PyramidsB. Middle Kingdom religion1. Myth of Osiris2. Similarties between the myth of Osiris and Christian beliefsC. Middle Kingdom artD. Downfall of the Middle KingdomIV. The New KingdomA. Valley of the KingsB. Shift in religion1. Aton 2. AkhenatonC. New art form, naturalisticD. Downfall of the New KingdomV. ConclusionThe ancient Egyptians are considered among many to be the civilizationupon which much of the western worlds views and attitudes are based.Everything from religion, to architecture, to art has been handed down,generation by generation, to us in the present day. Although many of theancient Egyptians traditions have been li mited or altered, the majority oftheir core principles remains constant. Yet, despite the ancient Egyptiansconservative nature, there were some changes within the infrastructure of theirsociety. Throughout the ages known as the honest-to-god Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and NewKingdom, there has been alterations to their religion, art, and architecture.Internal forces, as well as outside influences, have molded ancient Egyptiancivilization. This paper will tone-beginning to determine these forces which changedthe Egyptians. Modifications of Egyptian life were subtle, but noticeable andsignificant nonetheless. Art, architecture, and religion will be the focus ofthis paper. Let us begin at the beginning, with the Old Kingdom.The Old Kingdom began in the year 2700 B.C. and ended 2200 B.C. Thepharaohs, or kings, of this time include the third through the sixth dynasty,beginning with Djoser and ending with Pepi II. Djoser, who ruled from 2700 B.C.to 2650 B.C., changed his call in to the m ore commonly known Zoser. It was Zoserwho made the famed Step Pyramid, the first pyramid to be constructed.Pyramids were erected for the pharaoh in the belief that it would serveas a staircase to the heavens, and allow the divine pharaoh to reach the MilkyWay, or the Nile river in the sky. The pharaohs afterlife was extremelydependent on a proper burial, as were the afterlives of those who served himtherefore, it was imperative that the pyramids be erected. These pyramids couldnot have been built through coercion or slavery, for such an architectural featcould only have been accomplished by a get the picture force of 70,000, and there is nopossible way for a small group of rulers to force the people to labor day in and