Missionary Work in Egypt

Ancient Egypt was a pagan country. It's peoples worshiped and prayed to Gods that were said to control the sun, water, and fertility of both man and land. Egypt stayed true to this faith, even amongst the high numbers of Hebrew or Jewish slaves in Egypt prior to the Great deliverance of Moses. When the Roman's came in the still brought with them a pagan faith which differed in name only. It was until Saint Mark began his evangelizing in AD 41-44.

St. Mark / Apostle Mark.http://www.oocities.org/mallee2007/win/windows.html

The Apostle Mark began the first true "mission" work in Egypt. His first converts in Alexandria started the oldest of Christian churches, the Coptic Christian church which still exists today. Christians in Egypt did not fare well t throughout the years. The Roman and Hellenistic eras brought with them more ploy-theistic or pagan religions. Monstrous and hateful emperors like Nero and Diocletian persecuted Christians for their faith. That is until the rise of Constantine as Emperor in AD 312 who ended religious persecutions. 

Thus began the age of monasteries in Egypt. Started by Saint Anthony, Monks would train converting old texts and spreading the Christian faith across the East. Monasteries found their members amongst the poor and hungry in Egypt, as the enterprise promised food, clothing and shelter in exchange for vows. There were also a great deal of monasteries members who were wealthy and or educated who became doctors for the faith. 

"ST. Anthony's Monastery"in Egypt. Thomas Abercrombie, NatGeo.http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/timeline_27.html

Because of it's position, Egypt was actually in the early years of it new found Christianity a pool of missionary work itself. Through Egypt Christianity was ale to spread across the mid-East, influencing many people from many countries. 

Egypt has endure more persecutions in resent times along with the occasional visit from missionaries of varied denominations of the Christian faith to teach a more "acceptable" form of Christianity. In more recent years, Islam has now ruled over Egypt. For many years the two faiths, so similar in practice lived in peace. Modern day, extremist Islamic militants have now made Coptic Christians live in fear from their faith. 

Sources:

http://www.touregypt.net/chiste1.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Timeline_of_Christian_missions

http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/06/19/the-emergence-of-christianity-in-egypt/

Egypt's First Foreign Contacts

Unlike most countries, Egypt's geographical location played a large role in it's exposure to the "outside" world. Egypt  was the gateway to Africa from then middle East, Asia and most of the Mediterranean. The influx of different cultures was abundant throughout Egypt's early history. Archaeologists have confirmed influences from Mesopotamia in Egypt's decorative artwork.

Narmer Palette, from Hierakonpolis Commemorating the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. (http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/narmerspalette.htm)

Metal-smithing and monetary coinage were adapted from the Greeks Whose metal work was far more superior. Greece also demanded the usage of coined money for easier trade and commerce. 

Greek Egyptian Coin, Coined under Pharaoh Artaxerxes III Okhos. 

http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?IDArticle=3845

It is said, for the most part, early Egyptians did not  to accept the integration of other cultures into Egypt. However they were accept those foreigners to adapt to Egyptian ways of life. Egypt always had their own culture it was strong and unique  to Egypt, but after thousands of years, the influence of the Greeks, Hebrews Romans, Coptic Christians and Islamic Countries began to take hold in turn. 

What began for this gateway as merely trade and economical exchanges of goods and natural resources from countries near and far, eventually gave way to territorial expansion and religious domination. While Greece and Rome input various little bits in fashion, art, building etc, the Hebrews and Coptic Christians brought with them aramaic language and cuneiform style of writing. 

5th-6th Century Coptic Liturgic from Upper Egypt

https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Coptic_language

The largest foreign power that commanded the most influence were the Islamic forces that came in and took Egypt over from the Coptic Christians. Most of Egypt today is loyal to the Islamic faith, Arabic language, and Arabic culture. Even a brief occupation of Britain for purposes of Exploration did not hold strong in Egypt. 

Sultan Hassan Mosque, Cairo, Egypt..

http://islamicvoice.com/april.2000/

Britain occupied Egypt from 1882 until the mid 1900's. Britain took control of the Egyptian Government in Cairo to give i a boost in a sense, to bring it back to a level of stability. This created mass Islamic demonstrations against the British to leave their country. While in Egypt the British made vast discoveries in the name if History and the social sciences. Archaeology was on the move digging up the past. Yet still underneath the occupation, the Islamic influence and culture prevailed until this day. 

Sources:

http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/people/foreigners.htm

http://www.timelessegypt.com/newtime/history-of-egypt/158-british-occupation-1882-1952.html

Egypt's Natural Resources

If one were to judge Egypt by it's appearance, climate and General location, many would not imagine Egypt to be a major producer of much of anything in the ancient world. Desert condition on the Western side of the country, rough mountainous terrain in the South and swampy marshlands along the Nile River Valley. What could possible come out these areas? The answer is surprisingly a lot!

Ancient Egypt's main natural resource was Gold. Gold was mainly harvested from gold laden rocks along the Nile River. This resource provided Egypt with power, they were revered for their Gold production by friendly countries whilst hated by their enemies. Gold was used in nearly everything in Egypt, from sculptures, temples, clothing, jewelry, currency, wall decor and sarcophagi, whenever an Egyptian could afford to use gold it was used. 

 Golden Sarcophagus of King Tutankhamen

Among the other, perhaps less coveted resources in ancient Egypt was their salt mines. Egypt mined natron, brine and soda salts. These salts gave Egyptians a variety of uses flavoring and preservation of food, the ability to tan animal hide, as well a a key component of the mummification process. The salts were also used for medicines, mouthwashes and when mixed with oil, it could be used as soap. 

Salted Hanging Fish

Sandstone, and Limestone were abundant in ancient Egypt. This was incredibly important for building. Large blocks of stone could be hauled off and easily chiseled and carved into necessary shapes with hand tools. 

Temple of Ramses II – 19th Dynasty (c. 1240 BC) sandstone 

Wood in Egypt was not as abundant. What little wood could be gathered was not strong enough and too knotted to be used for decent structural support, so it was used in furniture making, also as material used in making coffins and for fire wood. 

AN EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MOTHER OF PEARL-INLAID SOLID ROSEWOOD STOOL

Two of the most important plants that grew in massive amount in the very fertile lands along the Nile were Fax and Papyrus. Flax was used as oil(fuel) and more importantly it was used for its fiber. This fiber was made into material for clothing as well as blankets and textiles. Papyrus provided Egyptians with one of the most important tools in  their history; writing paper. Papyrus was used to record and store anything that Egyptians could write about their culture, and most importantly their medical knowledge and mathematical studies. PPS considers believes Papyrus gave Egypt "sophistication"(PPS, 2006)

Ancient Egyptian Papyrus

In modern day Egypt, with the use of modern technology, oil and gas production are among the nations top resources. In fact it accounts for nearly "55% of the countries economy in 2006-2009"(NRGI, 2015). Egypt currently produces approximately 270 million barrels of oil per year. Natural gas production is also on the rise. In the ancient world Gold was the top resource, in modern day Egypt there remains only two open gold mines, the Sukari and the Hamash mines. Resources indicate that Gold production might be making a come back with approximately 120 new gold mines ready for exploration. 

Egypt's position geographically provided the country with the most ideal position for trade with other countries. With the modern Suez Canal, Egypt has become a hub for international trade flowing from the east and west. 

Egyptian Oil Field

Sources:

Uknown. "Natural Resources." PBS. March 15, 2006. Accessed June 5, 2015.http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/resources.html

Uknown. "Natural Resources." PBS. March 15, 2006. Accessed June 5, 2015.http://www.resourcegovernance.org/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/egypt/extractive-industries

Unknown. "Domestic Trade." Ancient Egypt: Domestic Trade. 2003. Accessed June 5, 2015.http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/trade/internal_trade.htm

Images:

Golden Sarcophagus of King Tutankhamen

Marseille, Marc.Well Preserved Corpses.November 5, 2011.Acecabana, Web:http://www.acecabana.com/world’s-well-preserved-corpses/

Salted Hanging Fish

Unknown. Salted-Hanging-Fish. 2015. Beyond the Shaker, Web: http://beyondtheshaker.com/pages/Salt-Guide-History.html

Temple of Ramses II – 19th Dynasty (c. 1240 BC) sandstone 

Simbel, Abu. Temple of Ramses II- 19th Dynasty (c.1240BC) Sandstone.Wikipedia-New Kingdom of Egypt.http://www.kingsacademy.com/mhodges/05_World-Cultures/02_Ancient-Civilization/02b_Egypt.htm

AN EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MOTHER OF PEARL-INLAID SOLID ROSEWOOD STOOL

Christies. AN EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MOTHER OF PEARL-INLAID SOLID ROSEWOOD STOOL. April 16, 2009. SALE  2157 —EUROPEAN FURNITURE, WORKS OF ART, TAPESTRIES AND CARPETS.http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/furniture-lighting/an-egyptian-revival-mother-of-pearl-inlaid-solid-5192089-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5192089&sid=e7f288bc-e192-41a3-891f-ea6c94c9388d

Ancient Egyptian Papyrus

Unknown. Ancient Egyptian Papyrus. January 2014. Ancient Egyptian Facts: Papyrus; Web:http://www.ancientegyptianfacts.com/ancient-egyptian-papyrus.html

Egyptian Oil Field

Zaidi, Asad/Bloomberg.(No Title). March 31, 2015. Apache has pumped almost 1 million barrels of oil from its Egypt fields since November, Fuel Fix, Web:http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/03/31/apache-has-pumped-almost-1-million-barrels-of-oil-from-its-egypt-fields-since-november/#30267101=0

Religious Transition in Egypt

Like many countries that succumb to battles, occupations and colonialism, Egypt went through phases of Religious change. Three majors religions had their periods in Egyptian history. In the beginning Egypt maintain a native form of a pagan religion in which they believed in various God's and engaged in practices to honor said gods. Over time events in other parts of the world, such as the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, had created a fervor of Christianity spreading through the Mediterranean at the hands of the Roman conquers. This Brought Egypt into a Christian phase, there Christian believers were and still are, referred to as Coptics. This Christian majority was fairly short lived. Eventually Islam had found it's way across the Middle East and into parts of Africa.  Today Islam remains the majority religion of Egypt.

(Unknown.The Sacred Lake of Karnak.LookLex:Encyclopaediahttp://i-cias.com/e.o/egypt.ancient.religion.htm)

The Early Egyptian religion, a pagan religion, honor various gods that had changed throughout the years both in name and importance. These Gods usually had specific purposes or things they would be in charge of. Amon Ra, was the Sun God, Isis was a Goddess who protected children and families.   Evidence of this religion is marked in nearly every bit of Archaeological evidence found today. Paintings, artwork, statues, tombs, and monuments all were erected in some way or another to honor their religion and their gods. Even Pharaoh was considered a God on Earth. Although minor pieces of this religion had changed overtime, the fundamentals always remained!

(Fairchild, Alana. Goddess Isis. March 18, 2015. The Isis Reclamation Project.http://www.laylaisis.com/category/goddess/)

In the 1st Century A.D., Christianity began to spread across the Mediterranean. As the roman Empire acquired new territories, it brought with it Christianity. This gave Birth to the Coptic Christians, that still exist today. These Coptic Christians are said to be the original descendants of Ancient Egyptians. Trouble began to breakout between the Coptic and the Holy Roman Church over practices and dogmatic beliefs. Just over a hundred years later, the Coptic Christians separated themselves from the Roman Church, functioning fully on their own. 

(Moha, Taco.Unnamed. August 26, 2010. The Holy Trip.https://plus.google.com/photos/+TacoMoha/albums/5509816435490902177)

Christianity began to be Challenged around 650A.D. when Islam started to spread throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. Not long after Muslims set foot onto Egyptian soil was the entire nation under Islamic rule, where it remains today. Christians and Jews were allowed to continue ego practice their religions, but they were required to pay taxes and occasionally barred from certain political privileges. Eventually many Coptics converted to Islam. Where today, between three and ten million Coptic Christians remain in Egypt. 

(Unknown.Unnamed.March 4, 2015. Pamela Gellar.http://pamelageller.com/2015/03/egyptian-government-closes-27000-mosques-in-move-to-fight-islamic-terrorism.html/)

Sources:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/180764/Egyptian-religion

http://cmes.arizona.edu/sites/cmes.arizona.edu/files/2c.%20History%20of%20Religion%20-%20powerpoint.pdf

http://p2048-www.liberty.edu.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/docview/2633033?accountid=12085

Egypt's Non-written History

When most people think of types of "non-written" history, they immediately begin to imagine various art forms such as paintings, sculpting, architecture, and music. All of these forms of art provide a civilization, culture or an entire country with a sampling of what life may be like or have been like. It provides an emotional and vibrant story that a written history may not give. Because Egyptians did not write history, so these forms were some of the only indications of life in the past.

Egypt's history is filled with un-written forms of history. Even their written word used pictures, hieroglyphics, in place of letters. 

Beyond this pictorial form of the written word, ancient Egyptian artwork was an incredibly important part of their culture, as well as a significantly helpful tool in determining how life was in ancient Egypt. Egyptians used painting and sculpting for various purposes utilizing symbolism within their work. Lining the walls of tombs and temples across Egypt are the elaborate paintings that tell a story, or depict a specific (spiritual) journy. These paintings in the burial chambers of the dead were often road maps of sorts for the spirit of the dead to get to the afterlife.

The most iconic forms of art and the non-written forms of history in Egypt's are the sculptures, statues and arcitecture. Egyptians often incorporated both, leaving the world with incredible works such as the Great Sphinx in Giza seated in front of a pyramid, this half man half lion was an incredible depiction of how the Egyptians represented their Gods and guardians of their civilization. 

In addition, sculptures litter the tombs and excavated terraine of Egypt. These statues made from various metals and materials depending on the purpose they were serving, were ways in which this ancient race honored Pharaohs, priests and Gods. 

The final form of the non-written forms of history in Ancient Egypt was music. This form was particularly difficult for researchers to obtain more information on music played was never written down, and the only signs of music utilized in this society was the excessive dipiction of musicians and musical instruments within the paintings.  This indicates that music was an important aspect of, at the very least, affluent society in ancient Egypt.

Overall art and the un-written forms of history were the most important aspect of ancient Egyptian culture to researchers today because there was no written history. So much has been discovered by analyzing these works. Without them, the world may not know about the day to day life of the Egyptians, what was important to them, their religion or even major events such as climatic change or plague. 

Sources:

http://www.touregypt.net/music.htm

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/symbolism2.htm

http://www.hudsonfla.com/artfirstciv.htm

Egypt: An Overview

Egypt is country with a hot, dry, desert climate and lies on the far northeastern corner of the African continent. It has been home to the oldest civilizations and the most iconic man made and well as natural elements. Bordering Egypt is the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Libya to the west, and the Sudan to the south. Most of the Egyptian country side is desert aside from a narrow strip of land running parallel to the Nile River. This Nile River Basin provides Egypt with its only nutrient rich soils for agriculture. Much of the Egyptian desert is flat, on the southwestern tip and along the easter coast and Sinai Peninsula the landscape become mountainous.

The Nile River has been providing Egypt with nutrients, agriculture and food sources(animals) for centuries. The ancient Egyptians began attempting to harness the Nile's power, attempting to control where the water goes and how much goes there by using early forms of dams. Over the years the Nile not only affected the survival of  the Egyptian people, but it also began to influence religion, culture, and politics.

The capital of Egypt is Cairo. Cairo lies at 30°2′N 31°13′E / 30.033°N 31.217°E / 30.033; 31.217. Cairo lies on the northeastern corner of Egypt in the midst of the Nile River Delta. Most Egyptian cities sit along the coast, or the Nile River. This was because the Nile provided the only source for water and nutrients for food. The rest of Egypt was desert, providing little in the means of support to its citizens. The Nile played key roles when it came to wars, invasions etc, because enemies knew if the Nile was taken there was little chance for survival.

Sources:
http://www.mapsofworld.com/egypt/geography/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/nile_01.shtml