by Karla Milicich
Abstract
The ancient Egyptians had an incredibly complex understanding of the Nile River. There are two inseparable associations that the Nile has been involved with: religion and politics. Evidence from ancient Pyramid Texts demonstrate how incredibly complex and inseparable these two roles are throughout Ptolemaic Egypt. The Nile’s mythological and religious significance was spread through the teachings and popularity of Graeco-Egyptian religions. The Nile’s political significance accompanied the great power that the Ptolemies had. The Nile empowered both religion and politics in a way that has not been seen before. This research project will investigate how the Nile’s political symbolism and religious significance were so important during Pharaonic Egypt to the beginning of the Roman Empire’s control over Egypt.
Keywords: Classical Nile, Mythology, Pharaonic Egypt, Graeco-Egyptian Religions, Politics