Question 1
Part (a)
The presence of a strong background of cultural beliefs contributed to Egyptian civilization in significant ways. For example, burying Pharaohs in pyramids alongside their treasures was a strong cultural belief. It was a common cultural practice in which the pharaohs believed in life after death (Curran 12). Being buried alongside their treasures would facilitate a smooth transition to eternal life. A government that runs the political and economic lifestyles of Egyptians also contributed to Egyptian civilization during ancient periods (Manning et al. 900). For instance, Pharaohs would commission soldiers to invade foreign territories and convert them into Egyptian territories (Fagan and Nadia 67). Economically, the ancient Egyptian government would collect taxes that improved irrigation practices for food sustainability in the kingdom.
The presence of great scholars – who were mainly scientists and mathematicians – maintained high education standards in Egypt. Scientists were mainly praised for inventing irrigation practices that would bring food to most Egyptian communities (Santoro 875). This was facilitated by the support of the ancient Egyptian government led by the Pharaohs. Mathematics, as a professional practice, grew in ancient Egypt for different reasons. For instance, agricultural produce required calculations to ensure food availability during drought (Sultanzade et al. 589). Community laws were also important in promoting civilization in ancient Egypt. For instance, treasonable charges against pharaohs were punishable by death. This was critical in ensuring that the monarchy remained respectable and recognized within and abroad the kingdom (Rossi 8). Laws also ensured that Egyptians maintained high standards of moral virtues in the community by punishing vices such as stealing and prostitution.
Part (b)
Civilization in ancient Egypt had net political, economic and social impacts on the kingdom and the society in general. The existence of laws ensured that Egypt maintained a strong government which would challenge foreign territories and colonize them. A strong military, who fought on horses using swords as weapons, protected Egyptian territories (Zaki et al. 678). Cultural beliefs and religion played a key role in safeguarding community values among Egyptians in the ancient civilization period. The ability to read and write made ancient Egypt a more civilized community; as scribes would ensure efficient message relay using written communication.
Works Cited
Curran, Brian. “The Egyptian renaissance. The afterlife of ancient Egypt in early modern Italy.” Aegyptiaca. Journal of the History of Reception of Ancient Egypt 2 (2018): 4-74.
Fagan, Brian M., and Nadia Durrani. “Pharaohs and Assyrians.” A Brief History of Archaeology. Routledge, 2016. 63-76.
Manning, Joseph G., et al. “Volcanic suppression of Nile summer flooding triggers revolt and constrains interstate conflict in ancient Egypt.” Nature communications 8.1 (2017): 900.
Rossi, Corinna. “Egyptian Architecture and Mathematics.” Handbook of the Mathematics of the Arts and Sciences (2018): 1-12.
Santoro, Michael M., et al. “An aggregated climate teleconnection index linked to historical Egyptian famines of the last thousand years.” The Holocene 25.5 (2015): 872-879.
Sultanzade, Hossein, et al. “Evaluation of the Rules Related to Monuments’ Frontage and its Role in Protecting Cultural Monuments.” European Online Journal of Natural and Social Sciences: Proceedings 3.4 (s) (2015): pp-589.
Zaki, Moushira Erfan, et al. “Cross-sectional analysis of long bones in a sample of ancient Egyptians.” The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine 46.3 (2015): 675- 681.