Political life in Ancient Egypt (periods between dynasties I and XX)

Ancient Egypt is an impressive civilization that could transfer its level of development in history and its admirable historic heritage to today. Ancient Egypt, a civilization of mystery and magnificence, has been under the spotlight with its structures that were built approximately 5.000 years ago and its technological methods, and always maintained its historical mystery. Egyptian political history starts with "Nomes". With the merger of Upper and Lower Egypt, a monarchical government structure appeared. The kingdom had a theocratic structure since its foundations. Ancient Egypt, before its formation as a state, consisted of nomadic societies that lived in tribes. In time, these societies, transitioning to permanent settlement, founded small principalities. These principalities are called "Sepats" for Egyptians while they were called "Nomes" in Greeks. Previously, Nomes used to live separately in tribes in Lower and Upper Egypt. These Nomes were later combined and gathered under the roof of the state by King Menes (also known as Narmer in various sources), who was later known as the legendary leader of Egyptian History. The king ruling the state was regarded as a divine being. The king was also the embodiment of religious and political authority as the leader of all the executive mechanisms. The king dealt with every type of action in the country, established justice and saw to the appointment and punishment processes of officers. Egypt is located in Northeastern Africa. The Egyptian Civilization –which is surrounded by deserts on western, southwestern and eastern sides– has an adventure that dates back to prehistoric times. It was formed and shaped in a period that lasted for thousands of years, which has not been illuminated with written documents yet. The nature of Egypt stretches out from its north, where plain and sandy deserts ceaselessly threaten life with their desolate infinity, to the edge of a mountainous and rocky desert at its south. Nonetheless, Egypt is irrigated with the waters of the Nile, which flood and sink every year, and has a generous nature that overflows with rich goods and hosts fertile soils. The Nile has formed a fertile land by depositing the alluvial materials it carries to its delta where it flows into the sea. Thus, the Egyptians enjoyed several agricultural harvests in one year. The Nile is separated into several branches as it approaches the sea. Thanks to these fertile branches, which were spread as much as possible through the area, agricultural lands were irrigated and agricultural richness grew. Through this growing richness, the foundations of political stability in Egypt were laid. In our study, it was aimed to present information about the political structure of the periods between Dynasty I and Dynasty XX in Ancient Egypt. In terms of identifying Egyptian History, it is of utmost importance to determine the political characteristics of the Ancient Egyptian Civilization and Dynasties Period with an analytical approach. The archeological remains left from the Egyptian Civilization reveals the political circumstances of Egypt in various aspects. To shed light on this mysterious civilization, it is necessary to investigate the Kings and Dynasties that directed the Egyptian Civilization and played roles in the administration of the country. In our study, studies of domestic and international researchers at an accessible rate were examined and an assessment was conducted. According to the method of history, a thesis, emphasizing previously unexplored topics, was put forward. Photographs, maps and tables were used in the text, where they were deemed necessary, and it was aimed to reinforce the information. Keywords: Egypt, Pharaoh, Nile, Political Life, Dynasty