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{{short description|Two regions of Ancient Egypt}}
]
In ], the '''Upper and Lower Egypt''' period (also known as '''The Two Lands''') was the final stage of ] and directly preceded the ]. The conception of Egypt as the Two Lands was an example of the dualism in ancient Egyptian culture and frequently appeared in texts and imagery, including in the titles of Egyptian ]s.


The Egyptian title '']-]'' (] ''sema-tawy'') is usually translated as "Uniter of the Two Lands"<ref>Ronald J. Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Society of Biblical Lit, 2013</ref> and was depicted as a human ] entwined with the papyrus and lily plant. The trachea stood for unification, while the papyrus and lily plant represent Lower and Upper Egypt.
⚫ ] was divided into two kingdoms, known as '''Upper and Lower Egypt'''. The ]s were known as the rulers of the Two Kingdoms, viz. upper and lower ]. While the labelling of "upper" and "lower" might seem counterintuitive, with Upper Egypt in the south and Lower Egypt in the north, the terminology derives from the flow of the ] from the highlands of ] (upstream) to the ] (downstream).


Standard titles of the ] included the ], quite literally "Of the ] and Bee" (], the symbols of Upper and Lower Egypt)<ref>Abeer El-Shahawy, Farid S. Atiya, The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, American Univ in Cairo Press, 2005</ref> and "lord of the Two Lands" (written '']''). ] were addressed as pharaohs and male. ] might use a feminine versions of the second title, "lady of The Two Lands" (''nbt-tꜣwj''), "mistress of the Entire Two Lands" (''hnwt-tꜣwy-tm''), and "mistress of the Two Lands" (''hnwt-tꜣwy'').<ref>Grajetzki, Ancient Egyptian Queens: A Hieroglyphic Dictionary, Golden House Publications, London, 2005, {{ISBN|978-0954721893}}</ref>
Lower Egypt is to the north and is that part where the ] drains into the ]. Upper Egypt is to the south from the ]n ] down to just past ].


==Structure==
Today there are two principal channels that the Nile takes through the ]'s delta: one in the west at ] and one in the east at ]. In ancient times,
]'', the double crown of Egypt]]
] (N.H. 5.11) said that upon reaching the delta the Nile split into seven branches (from east to west): the ], the ], the ]ian, the ], the ], the ], and the ].
⚫ ] was divided into two regions, namely ] and ]. To the north was Lower Egypt, where the ] stretched out with its several branches to form the ]. To the south was Upper Egypt, stretching to ]. The terminology ] and ] derives from the flow of the ] from the highlands of ] northwards to the ].


The two kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were united c. 3000 BC, but each maintained its own regalia: the '']'' or White Crown for Upper Egypt and the '']'' or Red Crown for Lower Egypt. Thus, the ]s were known as the rulers of the Two Lands, and wore the '']'', a double crown, each half representing sovereignty of one of the kingdoms. Ancient Egyptian tradition credited ], now believed to be the same as ], as the king who united Upper and Lower Egypt. On the ], the king is depicted wearing the Red Crown on one scene and the White crown in another, and thereby showing his rule over both Lands.<ref name="Wengrow"/>
Upper Egypt was known as ''Ta Shemau'' and was divided into twenty-two areas called ]s. The first nome was roughly where modern ] is and the twenty-second was at modern ], just to the south of ].


==Sema Tawy and symbolism==
The capital of the ] was at a place known as The ]. This is an area of about 850 mile² (2,200 km²) of land that are wartered by an offshoot of the Nile called the ].
] tying the papyrus and reed plants in the ''sema tawy'' symbol for the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt]]
The union of Upper and Lower Egypt is depicted by knotted papyrus and reed plants. The binding motif represents both harmony through linkage and domination through containment. The duality is an important part of royal iconography. Sometimes, the duality is further extended by having the knotted plants extend and bind foreign foes (both from the North and the South) as well.<ref name="Wengrow">], ''The Archaeology of Early Egypt: Social transformations in North-East Africa, 10,000 to 2650 B.C.'', Cambridge University Press, 2006</ref>


During the first dynasty, dualistic royal titles emerge, including the King of Upper and Lower Egypt (''] ]'') title which combines the plant representing Upper Egypt and a bee representing Lower Egypt. The other dualistic title is the ] or Nebty name. The two ladies are ], the ] goddess associated with ] in Upper Egypt, and ], the ] goddess associated with ] in Lower Egypt.<ref name="Wengrow"/>
Lower Egypt was known to the ]s as ''Ta-Mehu''. This part of the country was also divided into nomes; however, as the place was mostly undeveloped scrubland, the organization of the nomes underwent several changes. Ultimately there were twenty nomes and the first of these was at Memphis.


There are many depictions of the ritual unifications of the Two Lands. It is not known if this was perhaps a rite that would have been enacted at the beginning of a reign, or merely a symbolic representation. Many of the depictions of the unification show two gods binding the plants. Often the gods are ] and ], or on occasion Horus and ]. There are several examples of Barque stands from the reigns of ] (]), ] (]), and ] (Jebel Barkal) that show two river gods performing the rite. This matches a scene from the Temple at ] from the time of ].<ref name="Merzeban">Rania Y. Merzeban, "Unusual sm3 t3wy Scenes in Egyptian Temples", ''Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt'', Vol. 44 (2008), pp. 41–71</ref>
] is divided into periods that reflect the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under one king. Intermediate periods of Egyptian history were times when Upper and Lower Egypt were not unified under one king.


There are only a handful of scenes that show the King himself performing the ritual. All of these are from barque stands and date to the reigns of ], ] and ]. The latter two may be copies of the first one.<ref name="Merzeban"/>
=== Lower Egypt ===
Lower Egypt is the northern-most section of Egypt stretching from just south of modern-day Cairo to the Nile Delta at Alexandria. Lower Egypt's landscape is dominated by the Nile delta at Alexandria. The deltal region is well watered, crisscrossed by channels and canals. There are marshy areas and the mosquitoes could come to be a nuisance..


<gallery>
The climate is milder than the climate in Upper Egypt. Temperatures are less extreme and there is more rainfall in this area.
File:Egypt Memnon.jpg|The river god ] uniting Upper and Lower Egypt. ]. Reign of ].
File:Luxor Tempel 15.jpg|Temple scene at ], Thebes
File:Tutankhamun's Alabaster Jar.jpg| Alabaster jar depicting the sema tawy symbol with Hapy. From the tomb of ].
File:Karnak Khonsou 080522 c.jpg|] at the temple of ].
File:Chephren CG 14-Detail.jpg| Sema tawy (without deities) on the side of the throne of ]
</gallery>


⚫ ==See also==
The Lower Egyptians' dialect and customs historically varied from those of the Upper Egyptians. Even in modern times, Lower Egypt is much more industrialized, and influenced by trade and commerce with the rest of the world.
⚫ * ]
* ]
* ]


==References==
The patron goddess of the Ancient Lower Egypt is ].
{{Reflist}}


=== Upper Egypt === {{Ancient Egypt topics}}
Upper Egypt is a narrow strip of land that extends from the cataract boundaries of modern-day Aswan to the area south of modern-day Cairo. Historically, Upper Egypt's land was more isolated from activities to the north. From around ] to ], this area was ruled by the High Priestess of Amon (often, this position were held by the same woman).

There were a number of differences between Upper and Lower ] in the ancient world. They spoke different dialects, and had different customs, needs and interests. Many differences and the tensions they create still exist in modern times.

The patron goddess of the Ancient Upper Egypt is ].

⚫ ===See also===
*]
⚫ *]

===External links===
*


] ]
]

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]
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Latest revision as of 02:23, 10 December 2024

Two regions of Ancient Egypt

In Egyptian history, the Upper and Lower Egypt period (also known as The Two Lands) was the final stage of prehistoric Egypt and directly preceded the unification of the realm. The conception of Egypt as the Two Lands was an example of the dualism in ancient Egyptian culture and frequently appeared in texts and imagery, including in the titles of Egyptian pharaohs.

The Egyptian title zmꜣ-tꜣwj (Egyptological pronunciation sema-tawy) is usually translated as "Uniter of the Two Lands" and was depicted as a human trachea entwined with the papyrus and lily plant. The trachea stood for unification, while the papyrus and lily plant represent Lower and Upper Egypt.

Standard titles of the pharaoh included the prenomen, quite literally "Of the Sedge and Bee" (nswt-bjtj, the symbols of Upper and Lower Egypt) and "lord of the Two Lands" (written nb-tꜣwj). Queens regnant were addressed as pharaohs and male. Queens consort might use a feminine versions of the second title, "lady of The Two Lands" (nbt-tꜣwj), "mistress of the Entire Two Lands" (hnwt-tꜣwy-tm), and "mistress of the Two Lands" (hnwt-tꜣwy).

Structure

Pschent, the double crown of Egypt

Ancient Egypt was divided into two regions, namely Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. To the north was Lower Egypt, where the Nile stretched out with its several branches to form the Nile Delta. To the south was Upper Egypt, stretching to Aswan. The terminology "Upper" and "Lower" derives from the flow of the Nile from the highlands of East Africa northwards to the Mediterranean Sea.

The two kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were united c. 3000 BC, but each maintained its own regalia: the hedjet or White Crown for Upper Egypt and the deshret or Red Crown for Lower Egypt. Thus, the pharaohs were known as the rulers of the Two Lands, and wore the pschent, a double crown, each half representing sovereignty of one of the kingdoms. Ancient Egyptian tradition credited Menes, now believed to be the same as Narmer, as the king who united Upper and Lower Egypt. On the Narmer Palette, the king is depicted wearing the Red Crown on one scene and the White crown in another, and thereby showing his rule over both Lands.

Sema Tawy and symbolism

Hapi tying the papyrus and reed plants in the sema tawy symbol for the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt

The union of Upper and Lower Egypt is depicted by knotted papyrus and reed plants. The binding motif represents both harmony through linkage and domination through containment. The duality is an important part of royal iconography. Sometimes, the duality is further extended by having the knotted plants extend and bind foreign foes (both from the North and the South) as well.

During the first dynasty, dualistic royal titles emerge, including the King of Upper and Lower Egypt (nswt bjtj) title which combines the plant representing Upper Egypt and a bee representing Lower Egypt. The other dualistic title is the Two Ladies name or Nebty name. The two ladies are Nekhbet, the vulture goddess associated with Nekhen in Upper Egypt, and Wadjet, the cobra goddess associated with Buto in Lower Egypt.

There are many depictions of the ritual unifications of the Two Lands. It is not known if this was perhaps a rite that would have been enacted at the beginning of a reign, or merely a symbolic representation. Many of the depictions of the unification show two gods binding the plants. Often the gods are Horus and Set, or on occasion Horus and Thoth. There are several examples of Barque stands from the reigns of Amenhotep III (Hermopolis), Taharqa (Jebel Barkal), and Atlanersa (Jebel Barkal) that show two river gods performing the rite. This matches a scene from the Temple at Abu Simbel from the time of Ramesses II.

There are only a handful of scenes that show the King himself performing the ritual. All of these are from barque stands and date to the reigns of Amenhotep III, Seti I and Ramesses III. The latter two may be copies of the first one.

See also

References

  1. Ronald J. Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Society of Biblical Lit, 2013
  2. Abeer El-Shahawy, Farid S. Atiya, The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, American Univ in Cairo Press, 2005
  3. Grajetzki, Ancient Egyptian Queens: A Hieroglyphic Dictionary, Golden House Publications, London, 2005, ISBN 978-0954721893
  4. ^ Wengrow, David, The Archaeology of Early Egypt: Social transformations in North-East Africa, 10,000 to 2650 B.C., Cambridge University Press, 2006
  5. ^ Rania Y. Merzeban, "Unusual sm3 t3wy Scenes in Egyptian Temples", Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt, Vol. 44 (2008), pp. 41–71
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