Author Archives: Nathan

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Unlike Mesopotamia, where gods and government evolved over millennia, Egypt didn't have such luxuries of time. Here, it happened more or less all at once. As the deserts returned, the Nile's nomadic neighbors turned to violent raiding. The peaceful valley farmers fought back, and their best leaders became important chiefs.
In the face of these threats, the valley people unified under protective deities. In a surprisingly short period of time, revered heroes and forces of nature had become gods.
Alliance was easy along the Nile, and neighboring settlements banded together in mutual defense. Over time, some merged into larger territorial units (merging their civic gods while they were at it).
By 3300 BC, the towns of Abydos, Naqada, and Nekhen had grown into major power centers.

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