Synopsis
The author surveys a turbulent time in Ancient Egyptian culture and history - the 800 years between the 11th century BC and the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, after which Egypt became part of the Hellenistic world. It was a time when Libyans, Kushites, Persians and Greeks ascended to the throne more frequently than did indigenous kings in a phase of pharaonic Egypt marked by rapid changes in rule. Egypt had become increasingly involved in the affairs of its Near Eastern neighbours (Assyria, Babylon and Persia) and of the Mediterranean world. These many cultures greatly enriched and influenced pharaonic traditions. At the same time, Egyptian civilization extended far beyond the borders of Egypt itself. One of the most important cultural products of the period is the Old Testament, which the author regards as "an inestimable source of information on daily life in pharaonic Egypt". Karol Mysliwiec perceives in recent archaeological discoveries clear evidence that the first millennium BC was witness to more than a slow, progressive dying out of the pharaoic past; new and creative elements profoundly altered the culture of Ancient Egypt.
Originally published in Polish, the text appeared in a German edition in 1998. This edition has been updated by the author and contains additional photographs of recently discovered treasures.
