An Analysis of Ancient and Modern An Analysis of Ancient and Modern Egyptian GovernmentEgyptian Government

Egyptian Artifact ExhibitEgyptian Artifact Exhibit

Erin MannErin MannEDUC 3570EDUC 3570Dr. GreenDr. Green

April 28, 2009April 28, 2009

ScribesScribes

Who were the scribes?Who were the scribes? What was their role in the What was their role in the

government of Ancient Egypt?government of Ancient Egypt?

Image Source: St. Petersburg Times

http://www2.sptimes.com/Egypt/Artifacts/Artifacts3.html

Cross legged, seated scribe statue. Made of painted Limestone, this statue originated in Giza between 2700 and 2200 B.C.

Scribes Scribes

Not everyone was allowed to have the knowledge to read and write in Not everyone was allowed to have the knowledge to read and write in ancient Egypt. ancient Egypt.

Scribes were noblemen who were able to read and write hieroglyphs and Scribes were noblemen who were able to read and write hieroglyphs and hieractic script. hieractic script.

Two main duties of scribes:Two main duties of scribes:– Only people in ancient Egypt who could read and write the sacred Only people in ancient Egypt who could read and write the sacred

hieroglyphs that would appear in temples and tombs. hieroglyphs that would appear in temples and tombs. – They kept government records and wrote letters for the pharaoh. They kept government records and wrote letters for the pharaoh.

Hereditary positions. Often were the children of former scribes. Hereditary positions. Often were the children of former scribes. Took approximately 4-5 years to complete scribe school, in which students Took approximately 4-5 years to complete scribe school, in which students

learned to write on papyrus with reed brushes that had been dipped in ink. learned to write on papyrus with reed brushes that had been dipped in ink.

Source: The British Museum

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/glossary/scribe01.html

TemplesTemples

Why were temples Why were temples so significant to so significant to Ancient Egyptians? Ancient Egyptians?

Who was allowed Who was allowed to visit and worship to visit and worship at these temples?at these temples?

Temple of LuxorImage Source: The British Museum

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/temples/home.html

TemplesTemples Ancient Egyptians believed that temples Ancient Egyptians believed that temples

were the homes of the gods and were the homes of the gods and goddesses.goddesses.

Every temple was dedicated to a god or Every temple was dedicated to a god or goddess where he or she was worshipped goddess where he or she was worshipped by priests and the pharaoh.by priests and the pharaoh.

Only temple priests, the pharaoh or Only temple priests, the pharaoh or queens were welcome inside the sacred queens were welcome inside the sacred temples, such as the Temple of Luxor built temples, such as the Temple of Luxor built by Amenhotep III and Rameses II. by Amenhotep III and Rameses II.

Source: The British Museum

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/temples/home.html

Temple of Luxor

The Rosetta StoneThe Rosetta Stone Knowing that Egypt was Knowing that Egypt was

one of the first civilizations one of the first civilizations to develop writing as a to develop writing as a form of communication, form of communication, why do you think three why do you think three different languages or different languages or scripts were used to record scripts were used to record data on this stone?data on this stone?

How was the discovery of How was the discovery of this artifact significant to this artifact significant to the field of Egyptology?the field of Egyptology? Image Source: The British Museum

http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlightobjects/aes/t/therosettastone.aspx

The Rosetta StoneThe Rosetta Stone Priests transcribed a religious decree on the stone during Priests transcribed a religious decree on the stone during

the Ptolemaic Dynasty in three different scripts:the Ptolemaic Dynasty in three different scripts:– Hieroglyphic Script, the preferred form of written Hieroglyphic Script, the preferred form of written

communicationcommunication– Demotic Script, the Native script used for daily purposesDemotic Script, the Native script used for daily purposes– Greek Script, the language spoken by the administrationGreek Script, the language spoken by the administration

Soldiers in Napoleon’s Army discovered the stone in 1799 Soldiers in Napoleon’s Army discovered the stone in 1799 while digging the foundation for a new fortress in Egypt.while digging the foundation for a new fortress in Egypt.

Highly significant discovery because it has been Highly significant discovery because it has been instrumental in the deciphering of the hieroglyphs. instrumental in the deciphering of the hieroglyphs.

During the late 19During the late 19thth century scholars were finally able to century scholars were finally able to use the Greek inscriptions on the stone to decipher the use the Greek inscriptions on the stone to decipher the hieroglyphs. hieroglyphs. Source: The British Museum

http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/t/the_rosetta_stone.aspx

Osiris: Ruler of the Osiris: Ruler of the UnderworldUnderworld

Knowing that the Knowing that the ancient Egyptians ancient Egyptians embraced polytheism, embraced polytheism, or the worshipping of or the worshipping of multiple gods, why do multiple gods, why do you think it was that you think it was that they granted power to they granted power to just one pharaoh at a just one pharaoh at a time?time?

Osiris, the God worshipped by the dead. This tall, bronze statue was likely created during the Ptolemaic period, 304- 30 B.C.

Image Source: The Virtual Egyptian Museum

http://www.virtual-egyptian-museum.org/collection/FullVisit?Collection.FullVisit-FR.html

OsirisOsiris Many people believed that when they died that they entered the Many people believed that when they died that they entered the

kingdom of Osiris. kingdom of Osiris.

– Osiris was thought to be reborn each year when the Nile River flooded Osiris was thought to be reborn each year when the Nile River flooded andand

enriched the soil with fertile deposits. enriched the soil with fertile deposits.

Only one of many gods, but the ancient Egyptians believed each Only one of many gods, but the ancient Egyptians believed each had their own role in maintaining peace and harmony throughout had their own role in maintaining peace and harmony throughout the land. the land.

The pharaoh was a living representative for all of the gods and The pharaoh was a living representative for all of the gods and goddesses, having been placed on the throne at the request of the goddesses, having been placed on the throne at the request of the Egyptian gods. Egyptian gods.

The ancient Egyptians did not question this divine right to rule in The ancient Egyptians did not question this divine right to rule in order to keep life running in an orderly fashion. order to keep life running in an orderly fashion.

Source: Ancient Egypt Online

http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egyptian-gods.html

The PharaohThe Pharaoh What type of government What type of government

system would support the system would support the Pharaoh in serving as the Pharaoh in serving as the religious and political religious and political leader of the Egyptian leader of the Egyptian people?people?

Rameses II

Image Source: The British Museum

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/pharaoh/home.html

The PharaohThe Pharaoh

In ancient Egypt, the government heavily revolved around the In ancient Egypt, the government heavily revolved around the Pharaoh, a single figure in which people believed to be a living god. Pharaoh, a single figure in which people believed to be a living god.

This intermingling of government and religion that was backed by This intermingling of government and religion that was backed by the people of Egypt is an example of a theocracy.the people of Egypt is an example of a theocracy.

The laws of the country were defined based upon religious The laws of the country were defined based upon religious principles, but ultimately the Pharaoh ruled all aspects of the land principles, but ultimately the Pharaoh ruled all aspects of the land and citizenry. and citizenry.

Source: “Ancient Egyptian Government”

http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egypt-government.html

President President What is the role What is the role

of the President?of the President?

How does this How does this compare/contrascompare/contrast with/to the role t with/to the role of the Pharaoh?of the Pharaoh? Egypt’s President, Mohamed Hosni

Mubarak, (right) is shown speaking with Somali President Sheik Sharif Ahmed in Cairo on April 22, 2009.

Image Source: Yahoo News

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//090422/ids_photos_wl/r884750906.jpg/

PresidentPresident

The President ensures the sovereignty of the The President ensures the sovereignty of the people of Egypt, respect for the law, and people of Egypt, respect for the law, and protection of national unity.protection of national unity.

Shares responsibilities with the Prime Minister. Shares responsibilities with the Prime Minister. Creates checks and balances. Creates checks and balances.

Term lasts six years. Different than “for life” Term lasts six years. Different than “for life” appointment of pharaohs. appointment of pharaohs.

Elected official. No divine right to rule. Elected official. No divine right to rule. The President is the Supreme Commander of the The President is the Supreme Commander of the

Armed Forces, as was the Pharaoh. Armed Forces, as was the Pharaoh. Source: Egypt’s Information Portal

http://www.eip.gov.eg/AboutEgypt/PoliticalInfo.aspx

Prime MinisterPrime Minister

What is the role of What is the role of the Prime Minister the Prime Minister in Egyptian in Egyptian Government?Government?

Is this role similar Is this role similar to one present to one present during Ancient during Ancient Egyptian times?Egyptian times?

Dr. Ahmed Nazef

Prime Minister of Egypt

Image Source: Egypt’s Government Services Portal

http://www.egyptiancabinet.gov.eg/Cabinet/CabinetPrimeMinistry.asp

Prime MinisterPrime Minister

Dr. Nazef was designated as PM in 2004. Dr. Nazef was designated as PM in 2004.

His responsibilities include forming a cabinet to His responsibilities include forming a cabinet to accelerate reform and to stimulate growth and accelerate reform and to stimulate growth and increase investments in the business sector. increase investments in the business sector.

The PM of Egypt has separate powers than the The PM of Egypt has separate powers than the President and this serves as a system of checks President and this serves as a system of checks and balances to ensure that one person does not and balances to ensure that one person does not gain to much power. This is completely different gain to much power. This is completely different than Ancient Egypt, where the Pharaoh was the than Ancient Egypt, where the Pharaoh was the most powerful ruler in the land.most powerful ruler in the land. Source: The Egyptian Cabinet

http://www.egyptiancabinet.gov.eg/Cabinet/CabinetPrimeMinistry.asp

Legislative BodyLegislative Body

A photograph of Egypt’s Parliamentary Building.

•The Egyptian Parliament is made up of two groups, The People’s Assembly and the Consultative Assembly (Shoura Council).

•Relying on what you already know about the United States Government, how is Egypt’s legislative body similar?

Source: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2206208

Legislative BodyLegislative Body Egyptian government utilizes a bicameral Egyptian government utilizes a bicameral

legislature similar to the United States and Great legislature similar to the United States and Great Britain. Britain.

– The People’s Assembly approves the general The People’s Assembly approves the general policy of the state, and sets the overall plan of policy of the state, and sets the overall plan of economic and social development in the budget.economic and social development in the budget.

– The Consultative Assembly is concerned with the The Consultative Assembly is concerned with the study of preserving the principles of the 1952 study of preserving the principles of the 1952 Revolution and to promote national unity and Revolution and to promote national unity and social peace.social peace.

Source: Egyptian Information Portal

http:www.eip.gov.eg/AboutEgypt/PoliticalInfo.aspx

The Judicial AuthorityThe Judicial Authority

What is the role of What is the role of the Judicial the Judicial Authority in the Authority in the government of government of Egypt?Egypt?

The High Court, in Cairo, Egypt. Source: The New York Times

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/03/11/magazine/16sharia-600a.jpg

The Judicial AuthorityThe Judicial Authority

The Role of the judiciary branch is to help The Role of the judiciary branch is to help enforce democracy by forming political enforce democracy by forming political parties and by protecting the rights , parties and by protecting the rights , freedoms and values of the Egyptian freedoms and values of the Egyptian society and people. society and people.

Source: Egypt’s Information Portal

http://www.eip.gov.eg?AboutEgypt?PoliticalInfo.aspx

Local AdministrationLocal Administration

How is the How is the division and division and rule of modern rule of modern Egypt different Egypt different than ancient than ancient Egypt?Egypt?

Image Source: Egypt’s Information Portal

http://www.egyptiancabinet.gov.eg/images/Governorate/egypt_gov.gif

Egypt’s Current Governorate Divisions (2008).

Local AdministrationLocal Administration Ancient Egypt was divided into two parts, upper Ancient Egypt was divided into two parts, upper

and lower Egypt.and lower Egypt.

The pharaoh owned all of the land and had control The pharaoh owned all of the land and had control over all of the citizens living on the land.over all of the citizens living on the land.

Modern Egypt is divided into 28 governorates, each Modern Egypt is divided into 28 governorates, each of which is made up of administrative units, villages of which is made up of administrative units, villages and cities that enforce local laws and regulations as and cities that enforce local laws and regulations as

well as national laws and regulations.well as national laws and regulations. Source: Egypt’s Information Portal

http://www.eip.gov.eg?AboutEgypt/PoliticalInfo.aspx

ConstitutionConstitution

http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Constitution/Text/040703000000000001.htmhttp://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Constitution/Text/040703000000000001.htm

Please use the above link to view Egypt’s Constitution. Please use the above link to view Egypt’s Constitution. Read the proclamation, particularly focusing on the ending.Read the proclamation, particularly focusing on the ending.

““We, the Egyptian people, in the name of Allah and with His assistance, pledge We, the Egyptian people, in the name of Allah and with His assistance, pledge indefinitely and unconditionally to exert every effort to reali[z]e…”indefinitely and unconditionally to exert every effort to reali[z]e…”

•After reading the last sentence of the Proclamation…

•Who is Allah?

•Is Allah a pharaoh?

•Does this mean Egyptian government is still entwined with religion?

Source: Egypt State Information Service

http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Constitution/Text/Constitution/Text/040703000000000001.htm040703000000000001.htm

Constitution Constitution The predominant religion exercised in Egypt is Islam. Devout Muslims The predominant religion exercised in Egypt is Islam. Devout Muslims

believe that Islam defines one’s relationship to God, or Allah. believe that Islam defines one’s relationship to God, or Allah.

The other main religion exercised in Egypt is Christianity.The other main religion exercised in Egypt is Christianity. Egypt’s constitution focuses on Islam since most of the country is Egypt’s constitution focuses on Islam since most of the country is

Muslim. Muslim. – This is similar to how America’s Declaration of Independence generally This is similar to how America’s Declaration of Independence generally

speaks of religion in terms of Christianity. speaks of religion in terms of Christianity.

Allah was and is not considered to be a Pharaoh, but instead the Allah was and is not considered to be a Pharaoh, but instead the Father of Islam. Father of Islam.

Egypt grants its citizen’s the rights to exercise religious freedoms as Egypt grants its citizen’s the rights to exercise religious freedoms as they wish, and speaking of Allah in the Proclamation of the they wish, and speaking of Allah in the Proclamation of the Constitution does not mean that religion and government are still Constitution does not mean that religion and government are still tightly entwined. tightly entwined.

Source: Egypt’s Information Portal

http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/HRights/041200000000000001.htm

ReferencesReferences http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objectshttp://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects

/aes/t/the_rosetta_stone.aspx/aes/t/the_rosetta_stone.aspx

http://www2.sptimes.com/Egypt/Artifacts/Artifacts3.html http://www2.sptimes.com/Egypt/Artifacts/Artifacts3.html

http://www.virtual-egyptian-museum.org/collection/FullVisit?http://www.virtual-egyptian-museum.org/collection/FullVisit?Collection.FullVisit-FR.html Collection.FullVisit-FR.html

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/temples/home.html http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/temples/home.html

http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egyptian-gods.htmlhttp://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egyptian-gods.html http://www.eip.gov.eg/AboutEgypt/PoliticalInfo.aspx http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Constitution/Text/http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Constitution/Text/

040703000000000001.htm040703000000000001.htm