## TL;DR

Ancient Egypt (~3100 BCE - 30 BCE) was one of the world's earliest and longest-lasting civilizations along the Nile River. Known for: pyramids (Giza, ~2500 BCE), hieroglyphic writing, mummification, pharaohs as divine rulers, and remarkable stability. The regular Nile floods enabled predictable, abundant agriculture.

## Core Explanation

Key periods: Old Kingdom (pyramid age, Great Pyramid of Giza built for Khufu), Middle Kingdom (expansion, literature), New Kingdom (empire, Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, Valley of the Kings). Rosetta Stone (196 BCE, Greek + Demotic + hieroglyphs) enabled decipherment by Champollion (1822). Cleopatra VII (last pharaoh, 51-30 BCE) — Egypt became Roman province after her death.

## Further Reading

- [The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (Ian Shaw)](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-history-of-ancient-egypt-9780192804587)