Courses

Ancient Egypt’s long and magnificent history of more than three millennia allowed it to develop unique achievements that had a lasting influence on the arts, mythology, literature, and architecture of the ancient world. Its relative isolation—surrounded by deserts and a marshy delta and mostly accessible only by the Nile River—encouraged it to thrive independently and maintain a uniquely stable culture mainly free from invasion during the Early to Late Bronze Ages (2600–1100 BCE). The legacy of Egypt is astonishing: its pyramids, temples, wall paintings, illustrated hieroglyphic papyri, funerary arts, science and engineering practices, stone working, and jewelry—as well as its reputation as the ancient Land of Gold. So much survives from ancient Egypt that its heritage is far better preserved than many other, almost-forgotten cultures. In this course, we will revel in Egypt’s remarkable past, examining the history of such places as Hierakonpolis, Memphis, Giza, and Thebes (Waset) and the mysteries of rulers including Khufu, Menkaure, Senusret III, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Akhenaten and his Amarna Period, Tutankhamun, and some of the Ramesside dynasties. We will also reflect on the archaeologists who pioneered Egyptology, including Jean-Françoise Champollion, Flinders Petrie, and others. Finally, we will focus on the Rosetta Stone as a key artifact that unlocks Egyptian history and language.