1. Africa: Gods, Rulers, and the Social Order (ca. 3100–330 B.C.E.)
Chapter 2
Africa: Gods, Rulers, and the Social Order
(ca. 3100–330 B.C.E.)

2. The Gods of Ancient Egypt
Associated with the effects of the environment
Worship of Amon, the sun god and creator
Most powerful – but thousands of lesser deities existed
Worship of Aten, symbol of life force
Worship of Osiris, symbol of rebirth
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3. The Rulers of Ancient Egypt
Union of Upper and Lower Egypt by the first pharaoh, Narmer
Dynasties and the role of the pharaoh
Theocratic socialism
Pharaonic lineage of succession
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4. Egypt’s Cult of the Dead
The pharaoh and the sun-god generally viewed as having shared aspects
Burial practices based on stringent belief in reincarnation
The pyramids reached a zenith of organizational effort on behalf of the pharaoh’s comfort in the spirit world
The Book of the Dead emerged as a lengthy guide for preparing oneself for physical death
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Akhenaten’s Reform
Elevated Aten (sun god) to position of supremacy over all other deities to suppress power of priesthood
Centered a new city (Akhetaten) between existing political capitol at Memphis and religious center at Thebes, thereby redirecting influences of each
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The Social Order
The social hierarchy – topped by the ruling dynasty supported by a priestly elite; multiple rungs in the social ladder and anyone could advance through education
The role of women – all property inherited through the female line of a family, offering large degrees of economic freedom; women could own and operate businesses
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7. The Arts in Ancient Egypt
Literature – no masterpieces of literature emerged from ancient Egypt, but many examples survive of written business records, lyric poetry, and works of advice
The visual arts
The canon of proportion in painting
Spatial depth represented through conceptual stacking
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8. The Arts in Ancient Egypt (continued)
Temple architecture
Mirrored Egyptian view of the cosmos: pylons, hypostyles, and obelisks
Music – many surviving instruments from tombs, and visual representations of musicians
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