Egypt: A History of Art and Music

Ancient Egyptian art is very recognizable and elaborate. The art of the periods were typically used as offertory to the dead. Paintings were on pottery, figurines, were within ivory carvings, and had sculptures that were deeply intricate. [1] Great art of the Egyptian culture that would be easily recognized by the untrained eye would be the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramids of Giza,  a sarcophagus (which is a burial tomb), and the limestone bust of Nefertiti.

A range of media was used to create art by the Ancient Egyptians. These multiple outlets of art included papyrus paper, wood, stone, and also painting [2].

Temples and palaces were the typical places of where the most paintings occurred. As noticed in the photographs to the left and below, when people, animals, or objects were painted, they were always painted from the side. The painting featured below is a portrait of Nefertari. She was the first wife of Ramesses the Great and Egyptian queen. [3] Another art form constructed for the queen was the Abu Simbel. These are two large temples carved into the side of a mountain in Aswan Governorate, Egypt. It was made to honor both the Pharaoh and his queen, and is now their burial ground. [5]

[4]

Music in ancient Egypt was an important addition to everyday life, as well as ceremonies, and religious worship, too. There were a few ancient Egyptian gods that were heavily associated with music, their names are Hathor and Bes. [6] As in many painted, carved, or sculpted forms of art, there are representations of Egyptians making music via multiple instruments. Percussion, winds, and stringed instruments were played to honor the gods and to entertain the royalty of Egypt. Typically one female of a higher status would be selected as the office of the musician (shemayet) to honor one specific god or goddess with the gift of music. Singing and clapping were also involved greatly in religious ceremonies.




[1] http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Egyptian_art.aspx
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_of_ancient_Egypt
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertari
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_of_ancient_Egypt#/media/File:Maler_der_Grabkammer_der_Nefertari_004.jpg
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Simbel_temples
[6] http://www.umich.edu/~kelseydb/Exhibits/MIRE/Introduction/AncientEgypt/AncientEgypt.html

Egypt: Geography

A photograph of Egypt's location within Africa, as well as within the world.

By TUBS - Own workThis vector graphics image was created with Adobe Illustrator.This file was uploaded with Commonist.This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this:  World location map (W3).svg (by TUBS)., CC BY-SA 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15247207

Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of Africa as well as the southwestern corner of Asia. The two continents are connected by a land bridge. [1] Egypt is bordered by Libya and Sudan within Africa. It also touches the Red Sea as well as the Mediterranean sea.

Egyptian Flag [2]

A few of the geographical features of Egypt include the Necropolis Pyramids of Giza, The Great Sphinx, The Nile River, and the Valley of Kings, as well as many others. [3]

The title of largest city in Egypt is claimed it by its capital, Cairo. Cairo is located in the northeast quadrant of Egypt. Its coordinates of longitude and latitude are: 30° 2′ 0″ N, 31° 13′ 0″ E. [4] The city of Alexandria ranks as second in terms of population, and its coordinates are: 31°12′N 29°55′E. [5]

The climate of Egypt is typically incredibly hot, and dry. [7] Temperatures on the hottest day can range from nearly 104 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Egypt is the driest and sunniest country in the world. [8]

Because of the humidity and how arid the land is around the Nile River, near 99% of the entire population of of Egypt of lives on only 5.5% of the total area of land. [9]


The Nile River takes reign as the most famous in regards to features of Egypt. The Nile River is 4,258 miles long. Although, it travels through 11 countries, the Nile's primary source of water is Egypt. Civilization has been largely dependent on the Nile since ancient times since the area around the river is significantly more fertile than much of the surrounding soils. During the development of Egyptian Civilization, silt deposits from the Nile made the surrounding land fertile because the river overflowed its banks annually. This overflow in the winter months was followed by a scorching summer drought. People that live in the area surrounding the Nile use its land to grow crops, and provide a more temperate climate. Also, the Nile served a large spiritual role in early Egyptian's lives. Many referred to the Nile as having healing powers, as well as preventative measures against death. The Egyptian calendar also was based on the cycles of the Nile. [10]

The Nile River in Egypt [11]

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[1] "Egypt", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt.
[2] "Egypt", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt#/media/File:Flag_of_Egypt.svg,.
[3] "Egypt", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt.
[4] "Cairo", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo.
[5] "Alexandria", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria.
[6] "Egypt", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt#Climate.
[7] "Egypt", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt#/media/File:Sand_Dunes_(Qattara_Depression).jpg.
[8] "Climate of Egypt", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Egypt.
[9] "Geography of Egypt", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Egypt.
[10] "Nile", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile.
[11] "Nile River", http://www.touregypt.net/images/touregypt/nile7.jpg.