Population - Ancient History: Egypt

The Middle Kingdom gave rise to more democratic practices in Egyptian politics and society. More interest was taken in the more downtrodden members of society, public works projects were undertaken to benefit the greater good, ordinary people had access to mummification services and civil servants acquired posts formerly held by royals. However, these royals continued to have a strong grip on Egyptian politics.

The average lifespan of an ancient Egyptian individual was around twenty, although this, of course, varied dramatically at different times in Egyptian history. A large number of people, however, died when they were infants and if a person survived until their fifth birthday, they might more reasonably expect to live to thirty or forty on average. The biggest killer of the ancient Egyptians was famine and disease. Diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis routinely devastated the Egyptian population and could even precipitate famine through depressed manpower.

The Third Intermediate Period begins with the death of Rameses XI. It saw the political and military decline of Egypt as foreigners came to rule the country. It gave way to the Late Period in which Egyptian culture was very prominent even if the country continued to be ruled by foreigners.

Most archaeologists estimate the population of ancient Egypt during the height of the Old Kingdom (during the fourth and fifth dynasties) to have been around two million.

Contrary to popular belief, the Nile actually flows from south to north rather than from north to south. It is one of the only rivers in the world to do this. This is because the water begins in the "Upper" region, in the higher lands, and distributes out into the ocean at "Lower Egypt" through tributaries and deltas.

The Nile River bisected Egypt and provided a lifeline in the arid conditions of Northeast Africa. The river's annual flood created black silt which Egyptians depended on to grow crops. Irrigation programs arose up and down the river to water large tracts of agricultural lands. The river was also used as source of food, and papyrus and for transportation. However, the river was not used as a mass evacuation route.

Evidence suggests that theoretically anyone could attain a high office, which dispels the notion that the Old Kingdom was a total dictatorship. Researchers have also uncovered evidence of markets where people could sell produce and crafts. The notion of an Old Kingdom in which people slaved away building pyramids with no independent local life is fading.

Mery is believed to be the first person to be convicted of tax evasion in Ancient Egypt. He was forced to withstand 100 blows as his punishment. Pharaoh Kety advised that beatings were better than killings for crimes like these. Many scholars believe that Egyptians were the first to sew wounds closed, a fact that perhaps helped Mery at the time.

Most of Egypt’s Pharaohs, and some of the upper class elites and local rulers, were buried in grand tombs and pyramids; complete with priceless jewelry and valuable artifacts. It would, however, have been impractical for the entire population to have been buried so extravagantly. Instead, most Egyptian people were buried in small graves, with one or two ordinary household artefacts.

The average lifespan of an ancient Egyptian individual was around twenty, although this, of course, varied dramatically at different times in Egyptian history. A large number of people, however, died when they were infants and if a person survived until their fifth birthday, they might more reasonably expect to live to thirty or forty on average. The biggest killer of the ancient Egyptians was famine and disease. Diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis routinely devastated the Egyptian population and could even precipitate famine through depressed manpower.

The Third Intermediate Period begins with the death of Rameses XI. It saw the political and military decline of Egypt as foreigners came to rule the country. It gave way to the Late Period in which Egyptian culture was very prominent even if the country continued to be ruled by foreigners.

Mery is believed to be the first person to be convicted of tax evasion in Ancient Egypt. He was forced to withstand 100 blows as his punishment. Pharaoh Kety advised that beatings were better than killings for crimes like these. Many scholars believe that Egyptians were the first to sew wounds closed, a fact that perhaps helped Mery at the time.

Most of Egypt’s Pharaohs, and some of the upper class elites and local rulers, were buried in grand tombs and pyramids; complete with priceless jewelry and valuable artifacts. It would, however, have been impractical for the entire population to have been buried so extravagantly. Instead, most Egyptian people were buried in small graves, with one or two ordinary household artefacts.

The average lifespan of an ancient Egyptian individual was around twenty, although this, of course, varied dramatically at different times in Egyptian history. A large number of people, however, died when they were infants and if a person survived until their fifth birthday, they might more reasonably expect to live to thirty or forty on average. The biggest killer of the ancient Egyptians was famine and disease. Diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis routinely devastated the Egyptian population and could even precipitate famine through depressed manpower.

The Third Intermediate Period begins with the death of Rameses XI. It saw the political and military decline of Egypt as foreigners came to rule the country. It gave way to the Late Period in which Egyptian culture was very prominent even if the country continued to be ruled by foreigners.

Most archaeologists estimate the population of ancient Egypt during the height of the Old Kingdom (during the fourth and fifth dynasties) to have been around two million.

Contrary to popular belief, the Nile actually flows from south to north rather than from north to south. It is one of the only rivers in the world to do this. This is because the water begins in the "Upper" region, in the higher lands, and distributes out into the ocean at "Lower Egypt" through tributaries and deltas.

The Nile River bisected Egypt and provided a lifeline in the arid conditions of Northeast Africa. The river's annual flood created black silt which Egyptians depended on to grow crops. Irrigation programs arose up and down the river to water large tracts of agricultural lands. The river was also used as source of food, and papyrus and for transportation. However, the river was not used as a mass evacuation route.

Evidence suggests that theoretically anyone could attain a high office, which dispels the notion that the Old Kingdom was a total dictatorship. Researchers have also uncovered evidence of markets where people could sell produce and crafts. The notion of an Old Kingdom in which people slaved away building pyramids with no independent local life is fading.