Ancient Egypt

Catalog description

This course details the history of Ancient Egypt from the Neolithic through the Roman period. The course examines the development of history in the Nile River Valley, including the economic, political, social, and religious developments, which shaped the region and formed the basis for much of the later cultures of the Near East. Topics covered include European colonialism and the development of early historiography in the Near East, state formation, the age of pyramid building and the reasons for monumental architecture, the significance of early documentation and the cultural legacy of literature, the rise of imperial Egypt, the art and significance of mummification, the tomb of Tutankhamun, and the impact of the Hellenistic age. Students will analyze the significance of primary sources in forming a historical narrative of Egyptian history.