Coptic architecture developed in the period in which the churches, which was founded in the fifth century AD is a model of Coptic art and architecture.

As the ancient Egyptians knew the music, the same Coptic melody composed by the ancient Egyptians and the melody until now in the Coptic Church still have their names as Pharaoh and Itribini Singari.

Egypt under the Ptolemaic dynasty (323 BC-30 BC)

After Alexander’s death, Egypt was ruled by a general, Ptolemy who founded Ptolemic Dynasty who ruled from 323 BC to 30 BC. Ptolemic rule remained strong only in the reign of early kings. However, because of the weakness of the kings and the subsequent rebellion continuously by the Egyptians, Dynasty Ptolemic slump. Rome soon stepped in, ending Ptolemic power during the reign of Cleopatra in 30 BC.

Egyptian Civilization under the Ptolemies

Alexandria became the capital of Ptolemic rule in Egypt, where the magnificent palaces and gardens built. Alexandria is not only famous as a center for outstanding achievements in the arts, science, industry and trade but also as a major sea port in the Mediterranean Sea, thanks to its famous Lighthouse, which is regarded by the Greeks as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Alexandria is more famous for the University, which symbolizes the Hellenistic-Egyptian civilization great.

Alexandria UniversityCleopatra

At the University of Alexandria, founded by the Ptolemies, scientists arrived at scientific facts about the Earth’s rotation around the sun and approximate circumference of the planet. The University also famous for the study of medicine particularly anatomy and surgery. The most famous of the university scientists measuring the Euclid, Ptolemy the geographer and historian Maniton Egypt.

Library of Alexandria (Bibliotheca Alexandrina) and its Cultural Influence

Ptolemies established in Alexandria a large library, which is considered the largest in the world at that time. The library contains more than 500,000 papyrus scrolls. Ptolemies ordered that each visiting scientist should donate to the city copies of his works, thus bringing the number of books in the Alexandria Library to more than 700,000. Ptolemies showed respect for Egyptian religion, offered sacrifices to the gods of Egypt and the temple was built like those of Edfu, Dandara and Philae in Aswan. Ptolemies used to appear in an official ceremony in the clothes of Pharaoh.

During the period of the Middle Kingdom, many funerary temple was built. The kings of the 12th Dynasty were also interested in el-Fayyoum area where they attended to irrigation.
The most famous of the temples was the Labyrinth Temple or the “Maze Palace” as called by the Greeks. This temple was built in Hawwara by King Amenemehet III, who also built forts, fortresses and walls along the eastern border of Egypt.

Period Middle Kingdom was the heyday of architectural arts, where exquisite inscriptions and works of art either etched into the walls of colossal temples, the most prominent is Karnak, Luxor and Abu Simbel.

The era of Thutmose I was the turning point in using pyramids as tombs. On the west bank of the River Nile in Luxor, there are carved-into-mountains tombs with rich burial furnishings and luxury. This can be clearly seen in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

In order to keep wall inscriptions intact, the artists of the modern kingdom deliberately used in a bas-relief bit, thereby, avoiding distortion or erosion.

The most recently discovered tomb of King Valley is that of the children of King Ramsis II, a vast tomb containing 15 mummies. Pharaoh’s Obelisk was cut out of granite and was established in two-somes at the entrance to the temple. Some of the most beautiful examples of architectural art in the ancient Egyptian empire is the temple of Amun, Cheops in Karnak and Luxor, and Hetshep Ramsium-SUT in ad-Deir al-Bahari and a rock-embedded temples such as the major and minor temples of Abu Simbel.

New trends in, plastic architecture and applied arts emerged as can be clearly seen in the colossal and minor statues carved and ornamented temple columns and mural inscriptions. The style is clear increases in the thousands of small statues made from alabaster, wood or ivory and antique pieces made of glass and earthenware and jewelry inlaid with precious stones.

Literature

Ancient Egyptian monuments still bear witness excellent talent in writing and literature. Mankind is indebted to the ancient Egyptians to write the present invention, then called by the Greeks the “hieroglyphic alphabet”; consists of 24 letters. The writings were made with black or red ink on papyrus. Egyptians excelled in religious writing that addressed their religious creeds and theories of life after, the secrets of the universe, various myths of gods, prayers and songs. The oldest example of “The Pyramids Text” and “Book of the Dead”.

Ancient Egyptian writers were excellent story writers. They use words as a tool to convey wisdom and rules of good behavior. Ancient Egyptians were determined to tell their heritage of wise sayings and proverbs, chanting them in parties and ceremonies. They pursue the tradition of documenting current events of their times. Rich cultural climate was instrumental in generating several Egyptian men of letters and philosophers who left the work of a high level indication of culture and thought in Egypt.

Music

Music and song is a favorite object for all Egyptians. Music is used to educate young people as well as in public and private ceremonies, especially in the army. It is the same used in prayer and burial of the dead.

Egypt from the Old Kingdom knew wind and stringed instruments such as the “harp” known at that time as “Tipoti”. They also discovered many new types of percussion instruments which is further enhanced throughout their history.

Garnish

Ornaments, characterized by high artistic precision and beautiful form, also known as the ancient Egyptians. Decorative elements derived from the natural environment including papyrus, palm trees, lotus flowers and precious stones. Amulets, believed to protect them against evil spirits, which are used. Women, in particular, pay special attention to their own make-up and toilet. They are accustomed to use Kohl (as eye-liner), bracelets, necklaces, rings and henna. Costumes in Pharaonic Egypt varied from one class to another. Clothing made of soft linen or silk fabrics imported from ancient Syria (Phoenicia). Different clothing according to the occasion.

Historians divide the Pharaonic Era into three successive divisions: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and the Kingdom of the modern. Pharaonic era dynasty thus divided into three as follows:

Ancient Age (Dynasties I & II)

Features outside a temple where the priests and the worship of slaves

In 3200 BC Menes managed to unify north and south of Egypt and he established the first dynasty. To secure the unity of Egypt, Menes founded the city of Memphis near Delta.

Old Kingdom (Dynasties from III to VI) Sebek

During the Old Kingdom, Egypt enjoyed stability, security and peace, something that achieve economic, cultural and art at this time. Old Kingdom kings ruled until 2800 BC after the throne of Egypt moved to Manf by Zoser, which is one of the oldest pyramid at Saqqara. Egyptian civilization developed in this period, the material represented in building the Giza Pyramids: Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaura (Mycerinus).

First Middle Age (Dynasties from VII to X)

This age began in 2200 BC when Menthotpe II (Mentuhotep) managed to reunify the country.

Middle Kingdom (Dynasties XI & XII)

Domestic chicken was introduced into Egypt only then after the first Persian conquest according to some by others not before Ptolemaic times

After Menthotpe II, Prince of Thebes, managed to reunify the country and establish a strong government, Egypt developed economically. In 2000 BC Amenemhet I played a large role in the renaissance of the Middle Kingdom.

The kings and queens of Dynasty XII acquired fame all over the world in the areas of policy, the war of civilizations, cultures and religions such as Ahmos, the hero of liberation, Amenhotep I who put fair standards for wages and incentives, Tuhutmos me, fighters who expand the frontiers of northern and southern Egypt , and scattered everywhere education, Tuhutmos III which has a unique military genius, Tuhutmos IV, the first diplomat to record international agreements.

This is in addition to Akhenaton was the first to call for the unity of the Creator and Tut Ankh Amun, who gained fame in modern times. Queen’s most famous moment is Ahmos Nefertari, wife of my Ahmos, Tee, mother of Akhenaton, Nefertiti, wife of Akhenaton and Hatchepsut who ruled Egypt for 20 years.

Second Middle Age (Dynasties XIII, XVII)

In 1725 BC the Hyksos attacked Egypt and occupied the land of Egypt. However, the princes of Thebes, led by Ahmos me, managed to drive them out of Egypt.

Modern kingdoms (Dynasty XVIII, XX)

Beauty in Pharaoh

After Ahmos Hyksos were expelled, he worked on building a well-equipped army. Ramsis II, one of the most famous king of the modern Kingdom, signed the first peace treaty in history with the Hittites.

Late Period (Dynasties XXI to XXX)

From Dynasty XXI till Dynasty XVIII, the Assyrians and the Persians occupied Egypt, till the rule of Pharaoh ended the reign of Dynasty XXX when Alexander the Great conqured Egypt.

Press laws allow prison sentences for libelling the president, state institutions and foreign head of state. Nevertheless, journalists openly express their views on issues of political and social, including strong criticism from government officials and policies.

President Hosni Mubarak’s departure was precipitated editorial u-turn in the state media outlets who have served for decades as a government mouthpiece.

Television is the most popular source for news. There are two state-run national TV and six regional channels, but many viewers turn to pan-Arab station for news.

Egypt is a major force in satellite television. Networks pay the most prominent Arabic TV has a presence in the Media Production City in Cairo. Egypt is the first Arab country to have its own satellite, NILESAT.

State radio monopoly broken by the arrival of private music station in 2003.

Approximately 17 million people are online in Egypt in February 2010 (InternetWorldStats.com). Bloggers have uploaded a video showing violation of human rights and activists have embraced Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s longest ruler since Muhammad Ali in the early 19th century and one of the Arab world’s longest-serving leader, resigned in February 2011 after 30 years in power and control handed over to the army.

He responded to weeks of street protests, which began in January 2011, just days after the president of Tunisia to escape the popular uprising.

In April 2011, he was arrested along with his two sons, Ala and Gamal, over alleged corruption during his rule as president. He reportedly suffered a heart attack during interrogation.

Mubarak charged with violence against protesters during the uprising and ordered a trial in August.

Mubarak won a fifth consecutive term in presidential elections in September 2005. The poll was the first under a new system which allows multiple candidates to stand, but the main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, banned from open political activity and could not field a candidate.

Mubarak succeeded Anwar Sadat, who was assassinated in 1981. He is pursuing friendly relations with the West, breaking the isolation imposed on the Arab states of Egypt opposes peace with Israel.

Since 1952, when military officers led by Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew the monarchy, Egyptian leaders have been drawn from the military.

Mohammed Hussein Tantawi head of the military council which has been running the rule on a temporary basis since President Hosni Mubarak to resign in response to the popular uprising in February 2011.

Council has set a strict timetable for return to civilian rule. In March, Egypt agreed set of constitutional amendments intended to allow states to move quickly to new elections.

Parliamentary elections set for November 28. The agenda was quickly criticized by some in the opposition to allow too little time for a new democratic parties to organize. But there have also been protests pressing for rapid reform.

Born in 1935, Mr. Tantawi has become a career army officer since 1956, experienced active service in the Suez Crisis of 1956, the 1967 Six Day War with Israel and the Arab-Israeli 1973 war.

Mr. Tantawi has held the position of commander-in-chief of the armed forces since 1991. Before the revolution of 2011 he was also minister of defense.

He is closely identified with the Mubarak era, but gain some credit with the pro-democracy campaign for refusing to shoot demonstrators.

In 1950 President Gamal Abdul Nasser and Arab nationalism pioneered the non-aligned movement, while his successor Anwar Sadat made peace with Israel and return to the West. The protests that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt in 2011 put the intersection once again.

Egypt’s ancient past and the fact that it was one of the first countries to open up the Middle East to the West after Napoleon’s invasion has given it a claim to the intellectual and cultural leaders in the region. The head of Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo is one of the highest authority in Sunni Islam.
Anti-government protesters celebrate at Tahri Square, Cairo, after President Mubarak announced his resignation A popular uprising in January-February 2011 forced President Mubarak from power

But the historic step with President Anwar Sadat made peace with Israel in Camp David agreement in 1979 led to Egypt was expelled from the Arab League until 1989, and in 1981 Mr Sadat was assassinated by Islamic extremists angry at moves to crack down on their activities.

President Hosni Mubarak then took a more moderate line, but Islamic groups have continued their campaigns sporadically. They have been responsible for deadly attacks that have often targeted tourists and resort areas, and more recently have begun to target Egypt’s Coptic Christian community.

Campaign for political reform have become more vocal in recent times and has been taken to the streets in defiance of martial law, applicable since 1967, apart from the 18-month interruption in 1981.
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At a glance
Sphinx, Giza, Egypt

Politics: President Hosni Mubarak resigned in February 2011 amid widespread street protests, handing over power to the military. Elections are due in November 2011
Economy: Economy of Egypt is the second largest in the Arab world after Saudi Arabia
International: Egypt has been a key ally of the West, has played a key role in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Widespread anti-government demonstrations in January 2011 – driven by long-term flight leader of Tunisia – ultimately led to President Mubarak to step aside. He was arrested and tried in August 2011 for the deaths during the demonstration.

The military now in charge but promised to effect a rapid transition to democracy. Under continued pressure from pro-democracy demonstrators, a new provisional government was formed. In March 2011, a series of constitutional changes paving the way for early elections has been approved.

But the main demands of the revolutionaries – Egypt’s emergency law revocation – have not been met. The military has promised to do so before the election.

Full Egyptian cities – and almost all agricultural activity – are concentrated along the banks of the Nile, and in the river delta. Deserts occupy most of the country.

The economy is highly dependent on remittances agriculture, tourism and cash from the Egyptians working abroad, mainly in Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries.

However, rapid population growth and a limited amount of agricultural land is trying to state resources and the economy.

Meanwhile, the most crowded in, Cairo Islamic activists who failed to encourage a popular uprising – some, in fact, on the other hand – to mobilize to demand his coat. Under the old rule of Mr. Mubarak, today is different from the Islamists are often grouped into a post that does not happen again “religion” ..

The Muslim Brotherhood has become more confident in open competition with the group lately: Salafis, the flow of abandoned former puritanical Islamic militant groups, violence in the 1990′s.