Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an civilization in northeastern Africa, situated around the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern nation, Egypt. Around 3150 BC, Ancient Egypt began with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt which before were run by a sereies of chiefs. Ancient Egypt was run by the first pharaoh and continued to be run by pharoahs for a long time. Its history occurred in a series of stable periods, known as kingdoms which were separated by periods of instability known as Intermediate Periods. After the last kingdom, the New Kingdom, ended the success of the civilization of Ancient Egypt began to decline during which Egypt was taken over by a a steady stream of foreign invaders. The rule of the pharaohs officially ended in 31 BC when the early Roman Empire conquered Egypt and made it one of their provinces.
The civilization of ancient Egypt thrived from its ability to adapt to the conditions of the Nile River Valley. Controlled irrigation of the fertile valley produced surplus crops, which fueled social development and culture. With resources to spare, the administration sponsored mineral exploitation of the valley and surrounding desert regions, the early development of an independent writing system, the organization of collective construction and agricultural projects, trade with surrounding regions, and a military that defeated foreign enemies and asserted Egyptian dominance. Motivating and organizing these activities was a team of elite scribes, religious leaders, and administrators under the pharaoh, who ensured the cooperation and unity of the Egyptian people through an elaborate system of religious beliefs.
The many acheivements of the ancient Egyptians included a system of mathematics, quarrying, surveying and construction techniques that facilitated the building of monumental pyramids, sphinxes, temples, obellisks, faience and glass technology, a practical and effective system of medicine, new forms of literature, irrigation systems and agricultural production techniques, and the earliest known peace treaty. Egypt left a lasting legacy, art and architecture were copied and antiquities showed around the world, and monumental ruins have inspired the imaginations of writers for centuries. A newfound respect for antiquities and excavations in the modern period led to the scientific investigation of Egyptian civilization and a large appreciation of its cultural traditions for Egypt and the world.