How Egypt Built an Epic Empire | Full Special

Ancient Egypt, a civilization that flourished in the Nile Valley, constructed some of the world's most impressive architectural and engineering marvels, including massive dams, colossal pyramids, and intricate tombs. The Egyptians were driven by their ambition to build structures that would last for eternity and showcase their power and grandeur. Despite facing numerous challenges, from flood disasters to political upheavals, their determination to build a lasting legacy is evident in the enduring monuments they left behind.

Egypt's Origins

• 00:00:05 Ancient Egypt emerged as a civilization long before Greece and Rome, with a culture that centered around the Nile River. The annual flooding of the Nile was both a blessing and a curse, providing fertile soil for agriculture while posing a constant threat of devastation. The first pharaoh of Egypt, Menes, united Upper and Lower Egypt and built the world's first known dam to protect the capital city, Memphis, from the destructive floods.

Early Engineering Feats

• 00:04:36 Menes' dam was a marvel of engineering, constructed entirely of stone and diverting the flow of the Nile. Despite its loss to history, a similar dam, known as Sadd Al-Kafara, still stands as a testament to the early engineers' skill and ambition. The dam's failure, likely due to a flash flood, highlights the risks associated with pioneering engineering projects.

The Rise of the Pyramids

• 00:12:05 As Egypt's power grew, so did the ambition of its pharaohs to construct increasingly impressive tombs for themselves. King Djoser, the second ruler of the Old Kingdom, commissioned his architect, Imhotep, to build a tomb unlike any before, one made entirely of stone. This groundbreaking project led to the construction of the world's first pyramid, known as the Step Pyramid of Djoser.

Building the Step Pyramid

• 00:18:36 The construction of the Step Pyramid involved a massive workforce of 10,000 men, organized into divisions, with women providing food and clothing. The tomb's substructure consisted of a vertical shaft leading to the burial chamber and a series of interconnected rooms for the pharaoh's afterlife palace. The internal organs of the pharaoh were placed in separate chambers, embalmed and sealed in canopic jars.

Snefru's Quest for Perfection

• 00:29:47 King Snefru, Djoser's successor, sought to surpass the Step Pyramid by constructing a smoother and more perfect pyramid. His first attempt at Meydum ended in a partial collapse, possibly due to the pyramid's unstable foundation. At Dashur, Snefru built the Bent Pyramid, which had its angle of incline abruptly changed during construction, likely to address structural weaknesses.

The Red Pyramid

• 00:36:33 Snefru's third and final attempt at building a perfect pyramid was the Red Pyramid at Dashur. Its construction involved the use of larger blocks of stone, a gradual angle of inclination, and a strengthened foundation. The Red Pyramid was the first true, smooth-sided pyramid ever built, and it featured a complex internal chamber system.

The Golden Age of the Middle Kingdom

• 00:43:11 After a period of decline, a new line of pharaohs emerged in the Middle Kingdom, determined to restore Egypt's power. Their military campaigns expanded the empire's boundaries, reaching farther than ever before, and they left behind a trail of blood and fear. The pharaoh Sesostris III, a warrior king, constructed a network of imposing fortresses along the Nubian frontier to solidify Egypt's control of the region.

The Rise of Hatshepsut

• 00:50:57 Queen Hatshepsut, the co-regent of young King Thutmose III, seized political power and became the first woman in history to rule Egypt as pharaoh. To legitimize her claim to the throne, she commissioned a massive mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari, built by her architect, Senenmut, who enjoyed a close relationship with the queen.