REVIEWER ON ANCIENT EGYPTIAN 2.

Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren)

ARCHITECTURE
 Appears taller due to elevation but smaller
Overview to Egyptian Architecture than Khufu’s.
 Features the Great Sphinx – a guardian
 Ancient Egyptian architecture is one of the
figure combining a lion’s body with the
most iconic in the world.
Pharaoh’s head.
 Not limited to pyramids; includes temples,
tombs, palaces, and homes. 3. The Sphinx
 Ornamentation and design depended on the
 symbol of royal power and divine protection.
building’s purpose and the patron’s wealth
and status. 4. Pyramid of Menkaure

 Smallest of the three major pyramids.

A. Prehistory and Predynastic Period (Before
3100 BCE)
Construction Facts
 Sahara overgrazed around 8000 BCE;
people moved to the Nile River Valley. Contrary to popular belief, pyramids were not built
 Early structures: mud-brick homes, thatched by slaves:
roofing, oval-shaped designs.  Built by skilled, paid workers (masons,
 Belief in an afterlife led to the development engineers, laborers).
of tombs.  Workers lived in well-planned villages near
 Early tombs: mastabas – flat-roofed, construction sites.
rectangular structures with sloping sides.  Construction occurred during the flood
B. Early Dynastic Period and Step Pyramid (c. season when farming was impossible.
3150–2613 BCE)

 Architecture became more complex and Architectural Symbolism and Spiritual Beliefs
symbolic.
 First major stone structure: The Step Religious Concepts
Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara (c. 2670  Architecture reflected Ma’at (cosmic
BCE). balance and harmony).
 Architect: Imhotep – considered the first  Temples and tombs were designed to
named architect in history. preserve the body and soul for the afterlife.
Innovations:  Pharaohs viewed as divine; their tombs
were sacred.
 Transition from mud-brick to cut stone.  The Pharaoh chamber has air shaft for
 Use of columns, complex courtyards, and aligning the stars.
false doors symbolizing entry to the afterlife.
Creation Myth and Cosmic Symbolism

 Creation from ben-ben mound rising from

The Old Kingdom (c. 2613 – 2181 BCE): "The the watery chaos (Nun).
Age of Pyramids"  Gods: Atum (creator), Osiris, Ra, Hathor,
Major Achievements Thoth, etc., influenced design and
decoration.
 Era of the greatest pyramid construction.  Temples: considered homes of the gods;
 Pharaohs buried in massive pyramids to entrances aligned with celestial events.
demonstrate their divinity and eternal power.

Architectural Innovations
Pyramids of Giza
Step Pyramid of Djoser
1. The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)
 First monumental stone structure.
 Largest: originally 146 meters tall.  Built with limestone blocks stacked in six
 Constructed with 2.3 million stone blocks, mastaba layers.
perfectly aligned to the cardinal points.  Surrounded by a wall with 13 false
 One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient entrances, symbolizing eternity.
World (the only one still standing).
Pharoah Sneferu’s 3 Pyramid Key Features

1. Pyramid of Meidum  Symmetry and proportionality reflected

order and divine harmony.
 First true pyramid
 Duality theme: structures represented
 Designed as a step pyramid
Upper and Lower Egypt (e.g., dual halls).
 Converted into true pyramid
 Columns imitated papyrus and lotus plants.
(smooth sides)
 False doors, burial chambers, and shaft
 The Collapse Pyramid
tombs designed to confuse tomb robbers.
2. Bent Pyramid

 The foundation started with 54 degrees

Decline of Pyramid Construction
 The halfway up, the angle changes to 43
degrees giving it a bent appearance. Reasons

3. Red Pyramid  High costs and labor-intensive nature.

 Decreased availability of resources.
 First successful seamless pyramid.
 Political instability during the First
 Smooth and straight sides.
Intermediate Period led to changes in burial
 43 degrees slope until in the upper part.
practices.
 Earlier mistakes and innovations in
these three pyramids served as a model Last Pyramids
for the creation of pyramids in Giza.
 Pharaoh Shepsekhaf (last king of the 4th
Dynasty) chose a mastaba instead of a
Use of Stone pyramid.
 Later rulers preferred hidden tombs in cliffs,
 Egyptians mastered stone quarrying and
as in the Valley of the Kings.
transportation.
 Used limestone, granite, and sandstone.
 Gypsum Mortar – used for binding the
Legacy and Impact
limestone blocks.
 White Tura Limestones- used for coating the  Egyptian architectural principles influenced
outer layer of the pyramids. Greek and Roman architecture.
 Innovations:  Temples like Karnak and Luxor remained
 Sledge- used to transport big block important religious centers for centuries.
of limestone.  Modern architecture still draws from
 Copper tools- used for cutting and Egyptian forms, especially in monumental
shaping the stones. public buildings.
 Ramp systems- the most accepted
theory on how the Egyptian
constructed large pyramids. FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD AND MIDDLE
Obelisks (Tekhenu) KINGDOM

 Tall, tapering stone pillars with pyramidion The First Intermediate Period
tops. - It is often seen as a time of weakness and
 Typically stood in pairs at temple entrances. decline because Egypt did not build large
 Represented the sun god Ra and the pyramids or grand temples, like during the
connection between earth and sky. Old Kingdom.
- The art and architecture were simply
different because Egypt underwent major
Other Innovation: political changes.
 Lintels – the innovation for creating windows - When the Old Kingdom collapsed, the
and doors. central government became weak. Egypt
 Corbelled chambers – used for the was no longer ruled by a single powerful
foundation of pyramids and usually used pharaoh. Instead, different local rulers
inside the Pharaoh tomb chamber. (called nomarchs) controlled different
regions. This caused:

 Less money for big monuments

Design Elements and Aesthetics
  Regional differences in Art and - Sanctuary – the most sacred area,
Architecture. honoring the king and gods like Amun-Ra.
 A shift in focus - Hypostyle Hall – a big room with columns,
representing the world’s beginning.
- Tomb – the king’s actual burial place, deep
Middle Kingdom underground, meant to protect him and help
him reach the afterlife.
Mentuhotep II
How It Was Built
- When he became a Pharaoh around 2061
BCE, he reunited Egypt under his rule - Much of it was carved into the mountain,
from Thebes, and this marked the which helped it stay strong.
beginning of the Middle Kingdom. - Builders used levels or terraces supported
by stone walls.
Middle Kingdom
- Everything was planned in a straight line,
- A time of stability and growth. showing balance and connection to the sun
god. Ramps helped workers move heavy
Arts and Architecture in the Middle Kingdom stones to higher places.
- Artists and builders were given more King Senusret I
freedom to express different styles and
ideas, rather than just following a single - Egypt experienced a period of stability and
tradition. strong leadership during his time.
- He started the construction of the
Temple of Amun-Ra at Karnak. He began
Mentuhotep II’s Mortuary Complex (at Deir el- with a relatively small building, but it laid the
Bahri) foundation for what would later become one
of the most important and largest temple
- This grand structure was built to honor him. complexes in ancient Egypt.
It had a more personal and unique design. - Over many generations, different kings
His mortuary still looked grand and added to it—building massive halls, tall
impressive, showing he was an important columns, statues, obelisks, and sacred
leader, but also had new and unique lakes—turning it into a giant religious center.
features, such as different shapes, layouts,
and decorations. Temple of Amun-Ra at Karnak

Key Features Mentuhotep II’s Mortuary Complex - The temple was dedicated to the god
Amun-Ra, who became one of the most
- The complex was built on a mountain with powerful gods in ancient Egyptian religion.
terraces, blending with nature. This showed By building and expanding this temple, each
the Egyptians’ respect for the land and their pharaoh could show devotion to the gods
gods. and also prove their own greatness and
- A straight pathway led to the tomb, power.
symbolizing order and a link to the gods. - The site covers over 200 acres (and is
- There were columns and walkways for comprised of a series of pylons
rituals honoring the king’s spirit. (monumental gateways which taper towards
- Statues and carvings of the king, gods, and the top to cornices), leading into courtyards,
ceremonies showed his power and divine halls, and smaller temples.
connection. - The first pylon opens onto a wide court,
which invites the visitor further.
Materials Used
- The second pylon opens onto the
- Limestone – the main stone used for Hypostyle Court, which measures 337 feet
building. by 170 feet. The hall is supported by 134
- Sandstone – sometimes used for stronger columns 72 feet tall and 11 feet around in
parts. diameter.
- Mudbrick – used inside walls or for support.
This temple had a specific design:
- Wood – used for doors and maybe ceilings.
- An outer courtyard: This was the open
Important Parts of the Complex
area where people could gather.
- Main Temple – where people worshipped - Columned courts and halls: These were
and left offerings for the king. indoor areas with large columns, leading
deeper into the temple.
 - Ritual chambers and an inner sanctum: Materials:
These were sacred spaces used for
- Limestone, Sandstone, Granite
religious ceremonies, and the inner sanctum
held the statue of the god (in this case, Notable Structures:
Amun-Ra).
- Temples also included sacred lakes, which Pyramid - The central pyramid was built
were artificial bodies of water used in rituals with mud brick and encased in limestone.
and symbolized the waters of creation. Mortuary Temple - Located on the south
- The entire design of the temple was side of the pyramid.
symbolic—it was meant to represent the Burial Chamber - This chamber, located
beginning of the world (according to within the pyramid, was said to have been
Egyptian mythology) and show how carved from a single block of granite,
everything in the universe worked together weighing 110 tons.
in balance and harmony, under the
guidance of the gods.
Construction Technique

Quarrying
Notable Structures:
- Huge blocks of stone were extracted from
The Temple of Amun-Ra quarries using a combination of wedges,
- This central temple, dedicated to the god chisels, and levers.
Amun-Ra, features a series of courtyards, Stone Cutting
halls, and sanctuaries.
- The Egyptians used copper tools to shape
The Temple of Mut and carve the stone blocks with incredible
- This temple, dedicated to the goddess Mut, precision.
the consort of Amun, is located south of the Assembly
main temple complex.
- The massive blocks were carefully fitted
The Temple of Khonsu together using a combination of mortar and
- This temple, dedicated to the god Khonsu, metal clamps.
the son of Amun and Mut, is in the Decorations
southwest corner of the Karnak complex.
- The walls and columns of the temple were
adorned with intricate carvings, reliefs, and
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION hieroglyphs.

- Stone needles called “obelisks” were Main types of Egyptian columns

commemorative landmarks for pharaohs - Papyrus Bundle Column
made of a single piece of stone.  This column was tightly carved to
- Largest obelisk of Egypt was the obelisk of look like bundles of papyrus
Hatshepshut. reeds (a type of plant that grew
along the Nile).
 It symbolized life, growth, and
Palm-Leaf Column of Ramesses II from connection to nature.
Herakleopolis - Lotus Column
 This type was popular during the
Key Features:
Middle Kingdom.
- Intricate Layout  The lotus flower was a symbol of
- Featured twelve separate courts creation, rebirth, and the sun,
- Interconnected by a network of columned since it blooms every morning.
halls, corridors, colonnades, and shafts. - Bud Column
- False Doors and Criss-Crossing Alleys  This looked like an unopened
- Serving to protect the central burial flower bud at the top.
chamber from intruders.  It represented potential, renewal,
- Symbolic Representation of the After Life and the promise of new
- Believed to represent the challenges and beginnings.
trials that the pharaoh’s soul would face in - Djed Column
the afterlife.
  This was one of the most famous This tricky layout also helped protect the tomb from
and widely used designs. grave robbers, who often broke in to steal valuable
 The Djed symbol represented items buried with the pharaoh.
stability, strength, and
endurance.
 It was often placed at the base or Second Intermediate Period
top of columns to make it look
like it was holding up the sky. - After Amenemhat III, the 13th Dynasty tried
to keep Egypt strong but failed. The
Homes and buildings in the Middle Kingdom government became weak, with many short-
reigning kings.
- During the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, people
- Two powerful groups took over parts of
still used mud bricks to build houses and
Egypt: the Hyksos in the north and the
ordinary buildings because they were
Nubians in the south.
cheap, easy to make, and available.
- The Hyksos came from the Levant (modern
- Stones were reserved for important Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria). They
structures like pyramids and temples. settled in northern Egypt and eventually
took control of the city of Avaris.
Types of Stones
- The Nubians lived south of Egypt in Kush
Limestone (modern Sudan), a land rich in gold and
- The most used stone, easy to carve. trade goods. Egypt had once controlled
Most of the pyramids and temples in Nubia, but when the government weakened,
the middle kingdom were the Nubians took back their land.
constructed with limestone. - With the Hyksos in the north and the
Sandstone Nubians in the south, Egypt became divided
- was another widely used material, and unstable.
particularly in the construction of
temples and statues.
- It was also more resistant to New Kingdom
weathering, which made it an ideal
Ahmose I
material for statues that were meant
to stand the test of time. - Ahmose led a strong army to push out the
Hyksos. He took back Avaris and chased
Granite
them into Canaan.
- It was the hardest and most difficult - He also defeated the Nubians in the south,
material to work with. securing Egypt’s borders and regaining
control of important trade routes.
Pharaoh Amenemhat III
This victory marked the beginning of the New
- One of the greatest rulers of the 12th
Kingdom of Egypt (1570–1069 BCE), one of
Dynasty, he built a remarkable pyramid
the most powerful and wealthy periods in
complex in Hawara.
Egyptian history.
The Pyramid Complex of Amenemhat III

- The Hawara complex was a large structure

that served as both a royal tomb and a
place for ceremonies.
- It became one of the biggest and most
The New Kingdom’s Architectural Wonders
advanced complexes of the Middle
Kingdom. The Greek historian Herodotus Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple
later called it “the labyrinth.”
• Location: Deir el-Bahari, Thebes (modern
The design was meant to be confusing, with Luxor)
features like:
- Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple was built for
- Twelve huge courts placed opposite each one of the powerful and successful female
other Pharoah, which was Pharoah Hatshepsut.
- Large halls with columns across the
complex
- A maze of hallways and corridors to make it Key Features of Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple
hard to find the way
The temple was carefully designed to emphasize - Four giant statues of Ramesses (66 feet
Hatshepsut’s authority and her divine connection. tall) stand at the entrance.
Key architectural and artistic features include: - Twice a year, sunlight enters the temple and
lights up three statues inside—Ramesses II,
- Multiple Levels: The structure consists of
Amun-Ra, and Re Horakhty.
three terraces built into the mountainside,
- The fourth statue, Ptah (a god linked to
symbolizing the connection between the
darkness and the underworld), stays in
Earth, the heavens, and the underworld.
shadow on purpose.
- Symmetry: The temple's perfectly balanced
- This light show happens on February 22
layout reflects the Egyptian value of ma’at—
(Ramesses’s birthday) and October 22 (his
order, harmony, and balance.
coronation day).
- Columns: Numerous columns serve both
- Sun Festival: Visitors gather on those dates
structural and symbolic purposes,
to watch the sunrise light up the temple
representing strength and royal power.
statues.
- Artwork and Inscriptions: The temple
walls are adorned with detailed reliefs and The Colossi of Memnon
hieroglyphs highlighting Hatshepsut’s
- are two huge statues. They are also called
accomplishments, such as her expedition to
el-Colossat or el-Salamat in Arabic. These
Punt, reinforcing her legitimacy and status
statues represent Amenhotep III, who was a
as a powerful ruler.
pharaoh (king) of ancient Egypt.
Materials Commonly Used - They were constructed as guardians for
Amenhotep III's mortuary complex which
- Limestone, Sandstone, and Red Granite.
once stood behind them.
Notable Structures and Their Functions - Each statue is 60 feet (18 meters) tall. Each
one weighs about 720 tons (that's 720,000
First Terrace: The entrance with open spaces for kilograms). They were each carved from a
rituals and public gatherings. single block of sandstone.
Second Terrace: Featured a shrine for - The statues show Amenhotep III sitting on a
Hatshepsut’s father and carvings showing her throne. The throne is decorated with:
divine birth and rise to power. Images of his mother His wife The god Hapy
(who was a god of the Nile and fertility)
Third Terrace: The holiest part, with a shrine to the Other symbolic engravings, which could be
goddess Hathor, used for major religious religious or political symbols showing his
ceremonies. power
Obelisks: Tall stone markers at the front of the The palace of Amenhotep III
temple with inscriptions about Hatshepsut’s rule.
- It was part of his huge mortuary complex.
The Temple of Amun at Karnak Today, that palace is known as Malkata.
• Location: Thebes (modern Luxor) - It was massive, covering around 30,000
square meters.
- Karnak is the largest and most impressive - Design and Rooms The palace wasn’t just
temple complex in ancient Egypt, dedicated one big hall—it had many parts, including:
primarily to Amun-Ra, the king of the gods. Throne rooms, Apartments, Kitchens,
- Over centuries, it was expanded by many Libraries, Conference rooms, Festival halls,
pharaohs, with significant additions by Seti I and other rooms. The palace was also
and Ramesses II, reflecting the temple's described as elaborately decorated,
growing importance. Each ruler added their meaning: It had beautiful art, carvings, and
own statues and inscriptions, making it a furniture.
timeline of Egypt’s powerful leaders and
religious devotion.
The decline of the New Kingdom in ancient Egypt
Abu Simbel happened partly because the priests of Amun in
Thebes grew more powerful and wealthier than the
- Ramesses II (also called Ramesses the
pharaohs. Over time, the kings became weaker,
Great, ruled c. 1279–1213 BCE) was a
and by the time of Ramesses XI (c. 1107 - 1077
powerful pharaoh known for building large
BCE), the central government was ineffective, and
monuments.
the priests in Thebes had taken control.
- The Abu Simbel temple, carved into a
mountain, is dedicated to Ramesses II and
the god Amun-Ra.
Late Period and Ptolemaic Dynasty

City of Alexandria

- One of Egypt's most important cities, known

for its impressive buildings and as a center
of culture and learning.
- Alexandria became the impressive city that
Strabo praised during the time of the
Ptolemaic Dynasty.
- Alexandria became a center of knowledge
and culture.

Ptolemy I

- He began the Great Library of Alexandria

- He initiated the construction of the
Serapeum, a grand temple dedicated to the
God Serapis.
- He completed the Serapeum and built the
Pharos of Alexandria.

DECLINE OF PTOLEMAIC DYNASTY

- The early rulers of the Ptolemaic Dynasty

continued the traditions of Egyptian
architecture, blending them with their own
Greek practices, to create impressive
buildings, monuments, and temples.

- The dynasty ended with the death of the last

queen, Cleopatra VII (69 - 30 BCE), and the
country was annexed by Rome.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

- The Egyptians had a special name for

pyramids:
Mer," which means "Place of Ascension."
They believed that the pyramid's shape
helped the pharaoh's soul rise to the
heavens, making it easier for him to
continue his journey in the afterlife.
- Temples were also designed with the same
idea in mind, to allow gods to enter and for
people to connect with the divine. This
connection between architecture and the
cosmos was a key part of ancient Egyptian
beliefs and their impressive construction
techniques.