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ANTH 438

Ancient Egypt II

Shelley Wachsmann, Ph.D.
Meadows Professor of Biblical Archaeology
Nautical Archaeology Program, Department of Anthropology

Office hours: Wednesdays 3:00-5:00 PM, or by appointment
Location: ANTH 121
Email: swachsmann@tamu.edu
Phone: (979) 847-9257

Course Description

This course surveys the archaeology and history of ancient Egypt from the end of the New Kingdom to the Graeco-Roman period. More specifically, this course is designed to introduce the student to the environment, the archaeology and the history of ancient Egypt from the end of the New Kingdom period to the end of the Graeco-Roman period. It is intended as a continuation to ANTH/RELS 436 Ancient Egypt I in which I cover the physical environment that led to the creation of the Egyptian culture, the beginnings of Egyptology from the Predynastic period to the New Kingdom. Completion of ANTH/RELS 436 is recommended but not required.

Main Themes
  • The Weakening of Pharaonic Power: We will examine the decline of Egyptian power following the reign of Rameses III, including the rise of foreign influences (Libyans, Nubians, Persians), internal strife, and the fragmentation of the Egyptian state.
  • Foreign Domination and Egyptian Resilience: We will analyze how successive foreign powers impacted Egyptian society, culture, and identity, while also exploring how Egyptians adapted, resisted, and maintained aspects of their unique civilization.
  • The Ptolemaic Era: Hellenism and Egyptian Identity: We will explore the establishment and evolution of the Ptolemaic dynasty, focusing on the reigns of prominent rulers like Ptolemy I Soter and Cleopatra VII. We will analyze their strategies for maintaining Egyptian identity while navigating the complexities. Hellenistic rule and the emergence of a unique Greco-Egyptian culture.
  • Cultural Continuity and Change: We will investigate the continuation of Egyptian traditions in art, religion, and literature alongside the growing influence of Greek culture, examining how these intertwined to create a dynamic and multifaceted society.
  • The Roman Conquest and its Legacy: We will examine the final stages of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, culminating in the Roman conquest and the integration of Egypt into the Roman Empire. We will consider the lasting impact of this period on Egyptian history and its enduring legacy.

This course will utilize a variety of primary and secondary sources, including historical texts, archaeological evidence, and artistic representations, to provide a comprehensive understanding of this fascinating and pivotal period in Egyptian history.

Course Outcomes
The course has specific learning outcomes. At the completion of the course students who applied themselves will have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

  • A) Describe the rich matrix of Egyptian history and material culture,
  • B) Apply an overall humanistic understanding to the physical world of the ancient Egyptians,
  • C) Analyze the methodological tools utilized in archaeological discoveries and,
  • D) Evaluate the interrelationship of various sources—texts, artifacts, iconography, ethnographic parallels—for interpreting and understanding the past.
Textbook and/or Resource Materials
We will be using the following textbooks:

  • Clayton, P. A., 1994. Chronicle of the Pharaohs: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rules and Dynasties of Ancient Egypt. London, Thames and Hudson. This book is out of print: used copies may be purchased at low prices online through Abebooks.com.
  • Wilkinson, T., 2013. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt. New York, Random House.

Copies of these books are also available on reserve on the first floor of the Evans Annex.
Additional readings are available online. Please let me know if you encounter issues with these.

Class Lectures Online

Class lectures will be available as downloadable PDF files on Canvas. Students should download these files and print them out (multiple slides per printed page) as a convenient aid in taking notes. These lecture files do not replace class attendance.

Grading Policy

Classes will be devoted primarily to Keynote™ lectures. We will also see video presentations.
The final grade will be based on the total grades from multiple choice tests: two mid-term examinations, worth 33 points each, and a final examination worth 34 points. Students will be supplied with Gradescope test forms.
Letter grades assigned will follow the standard TAMU scale: 100-90 = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, 69-60 = D, 59 and below = F.

Late Work Policy

No late work will be accepted. Tests must be taken at the date and time that they are given. Work submitted by a student as makeup work for an excused absence is not considered late work and is exempted from the late work policy (Student Rule 7). If you have an excused absence that will prevent you from testing please communicate with me and we can arrange a makeup test. These will consist of a list of terms from the coursework that the student will be required to identify with a few sentences each.

For more about Egypt, see:

And for your general interest…

The Ancient World On Television

Explorator: Archaeological News On The Web

Course Schedule:

(The schedule is a subject to change, revisions, and refinements which will be posted)

ANTH-438

Week 1

(1) Introduction I
(2) Introduction II
Week 2

(3) The Environment of Egypt I
(4) The Environment of Egypt II
Week 3

(5) The Story Till Now
(6) Dynasty 20: Egypt Waning
Week 4

(7) Dynasty 21: Upper Egypt Ruled by the Gods
(8) Review #1
Week 5

(9) Test #1 (33 points)
(10) Mummies (Video Presentation)
Week 6

(11) Dynasty 22–24: The Libyan Dynasties
(12) Dynasty 25: The Nubian Dynasty
Week 7

(13) Dynasty 26: The Saite Period
(14) Dynasty 27: The Persian Dynasty
Week 8

(15) Dynasties 28-31: The End of Egyptian Glory
(16) Alexander the Great and Egypt
Week 9 Spring Break (No Classes)
Week 10

(17) The Hellenistic Age
(18) Review #2
Week 11

(19) Test #2 (33 points)
(20) The Ptolemaic Dynasty I
Week 12

(21) The Ptolemaic Dynasty II
(22) The Ptolemaic Dynasty III
Week 13

(23) Cleopatra VII: The Last Ptolemy
(24) Rome, Christianity, and the End of Egyptian Civilization
Week 14

(25) Agora: Fall of the Pagans (Video Presentation)
(26) Egyptian Civilization: A Retrospect
Week 15

(27) Review
(28) Test #3 (34 points)
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