Overview
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073379239/student_view0/part1/chapter3/
In the ancient world, the transitions from Neolithic communities to civilization occurred along the Nile river in Egypt, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia, in the Indus Valley and Ganges river area in India, and along the Hsuang Ho and Yangtze rivers in China. This important transition was characterized by a more complex and interrelated urban life-style.
The ancient Egyptian civilization endured from c 3200 BC to 500 BC. It was distinguished both by a remarkable stability of artistic forms as well as innovation. The Egyptians were an extremely religious people, and much of the art which remains for us is associated with their belief in an afterlife.
Given the enormous time span of the Egyptian civilization, we divide Egyptian history according to three major periods of stability and economic prosperity
In Egyptian architecture, we find Imhotep, the world’s first known architect, and the grandeur of the Giza pyramids that continue the architecture of mass we saw in Near Eastern ziggurats. The statue of Menkaure and Khamerernebty from Gizeh (FIG. 1-27) show the traditional pose of the human body as favored by royal families. (The more relaxed and realistic portrayal of the human form was reserved for the lesser classes.) Students should know the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and its striking architecture. The Amana Period contains one of the most famous pieces of Egyptian art, including the statue of Akhenaton and the bust of Queen Nefertiti
Egyptian art was a product of the Pharaohs interest in the afterlife, and optical reality in art was less important than conceptual representation. What is most curious is the representation of the motionless human form as it is shown in both frontal and side views simultaneously. The longevity of this traditional means of representation was interrupted only by the reign and artistic style of the Amarna period, seen in the statue of Akhenaton , you should be able to recognize the differences initiated by Akhenaton and account for them
Great Pyramids at Gizeh
Photo© Elizabeth LaCour
Great Pyramids at Gizeh
Photo© Elizabeth LaCour
The birth of Egyptology:
In the Middle Ages, Egypt's reputation as an ancient land of wonders and mystery lived on. Until the 18th century, people regarded its undeciphered writing and exotic monuments as treasures of occult wisdom, locked away from any but those initiated in the mystic arts.
Key Periods
- Old Kingdom (Dynasties 3-6)
2649-2150 BCE - Middle Kingdom (Dyn. 12-14)
1991-1700 BCE - New Kingdom (Dyn. 18-20)
1550-1070 BCE
Glossary
- Pharaohs
- dynasties
- palette
- stepped pyramid
- Imhotep
- Great Pyramids
- mortuary temple
- Hatshepsut
- rock-cut tombs
- pillar statues
- pylon temples
- hypostyle halls
- Akhenaton
- Amarna Period
- apotropaion
- ===
- canon
- cartonnage
- clerestory
- corbelling
- engaged column
- faience
- fresco
- frieze
- gesso
- hypostyle hall
- ka
- mastaba
- obelisk
- papyrus
- pharaoh
- pier
- pilaster
- pylon
- pyramidion
- sarcophagus
- sphinx
- vellum
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REWRITE: THE LAND OF THE NILE The wonders of Egypt: Nearly 2,500 years ago, the Greek historian Herodotus wrote, "Concerning Egypt itself I shall extend my remarks to a great length, because there is no country that possesses so many wonders, nor any that has such a number of works that defy description. The birth of Egyptology: In the Middle Ages, Egypt's reputation as an ancient land of wonders and mystery lived on. Until the 18th century, people regarded its undeciphered writing and exotic monuments as treasures of occult wisdom, locked away from any but those initiated in the mystic arts. |
Video Resources (where available)
These are good extra resources but are not required viewing and not on reserve at any of your local libraries.
- Ancient Egypt ( 11 min, 1976, Coronet/MTI)
- Ancient Egypt – Alarion (Crystal)
- Ancient Egypt: The Habit of Civilization (60 min, 1992, VM)
- King Tut: Tomb of Treasure (26 min, 1992, Home Vision)
- King Tut: The Face of Tutankhamon (200 min, 1992, VM)
- Mummies and The Wonders of Ancient Egypt, four-pack set (200 min, 1996, VM)
- Mysteries Of The Pyramids (60 min, 1989, VM)
- Nile, River of Gods (100 min, 1995, VM)