Historical Summary

The Pyramids present but a tiny tip of Egypt's vast cultural iceberg. This is the oldest nation-state in the world, home to farmers, pharaohs and powerful queens. Here harsh mountains and vast deserts contrast with fertile deltas and the enormous, ancient Nile River. The history of Egypt is as rich as the land, as varied as the landscape, as lively as the character of its people, and as long as the Nile - longer than most in the world. While much of Europe was still wrapped in animal skins and wielding clubs, Egyptians enjoyed a sophisticated life, dedicated to maintaining order in the universe and to making the most of their one great commodity, the Nile.

In this brief summary of Egypt’s history, adapted from the Lonely Planet’s 10th edition:  “Egypt Travel Guide,” May 2010, you will read about how Egypt was truly the “gift of the Nile” and how this great river was, for most Egyptians, the beginning and the end. You will learn about old stories and habits that continued until this present day. You will read about Christian Egypt, the Mamluks, and the series of foreign invaders ending by Egypt becoming a “veiled” British protectorate. The events continue with the July 1952 “white” revolution followed by the governments of Mohamed Naguib, Nasser, Sadat and finally Mubarak.

Read More...