The First Intermediate Period and the Early Middle Kingdom (2200- 1950 BC.):Origins of Ancient Egyptian Imperialism in Lower Nubia

Abstract

This study is the 8th of an article series dedicated to cross-cultural encounters (trade, emulation, colonization, conquest) as a primary cause of social and political change. Its purpose is to examine the complex relationship between Ancient Egypt and Nubia during the First Intermediate Period and Early Middle Kingdom (2200-1950 BC). The author of the present study see troubled times of the First Intermediate Period (political unrest, civil war, lack of central authority, emergence of local warlords, years of warfare and strife) as a stimulus of the colonization and the later conquest of Nubia. The Middle Kingdom, which emerged from the “chaos” of the First Intermediate Period, is marked by an increase in foreign trade and wealth. It‟s a return to classical order: The Egyptian state was reconsolidated. However, unlike the Old Kingdom, the new political elite pursued an agressive foreign policy, colonized Lower Nubia and undertook building projects including military fortresses and mining quarries

Keywords

• First Intermediate Period of Egypt
• Middle Kingdom of Egypt
• Lower and Upper Nubia

I. Ara Dönem'den Orta Krallığa [M.Ö 2200-1950]: Mısır Devleti'nde "Yayılmacı" İdeolojinin Oluşumu ve Aşağı Nübye'ye Uygulanışı

Abstract

Çalışma, tarihteki kültürel karşılaşma (ticaret, öykünme, kolonileşme, fetih/ilhak) örnekleri ile bunların toplumsal ve siyasal değişmeye katkısını inceleyen makaleler dizisinin sekizincisini oluşturmaktadır. Metnin temel argümanı, Mısır Orta Krallığı'nın (MÖ. 2050-1750) güney/Nübye yönünde başlattığı kolonileşmenin tarihsel arka-planının "1. Ara Dönem"de (2200-2050) yaşanan fetret devri ve merkezî iktidarın krizi olduğudur. Eski Krallık (2700-2200) rejiminin çözüldüğü ve kraliyet otoritesindeki zafiyetten dolayı Mısır eyaletlerinin merkezden bağımsızlaştığı bir ortamda, sarayın ekonomik ve siyasal tekeli kırılmış, doğal kaynakların merkez yerine taşraya aktığı yeni bir düzen kurulmuştur. Bu yerelleşmenin (âdemimerkeziyetin) kalıcı olmamasının nedeni ise, Mısır devlet ideolojisinde siyasal birliğin ve merkeziyetçi hiyerarşinin "ideal" görülüp kutsanmasıdır. Ara dönemler, aşılması gereken, istikrarsızlık ve bereketsizlik üreten "kaotik" zamanlardır. Orta (Herakleopolis) ve Yukarı Mısır‟da (Thebai) ortaya çıkan yerel iktidar odakları, bu anlayış doğrultusunda Eski Krallık düzenini yeniden kurmak ("ideal"i yakalamak) için birbirleriyle kıyasıya mücadele etmişlerdir. Değişen, Ara Dönem'de siyasal birlik için zorunlu kabul edilen "genişleme"nin Orta Krallıkta sınır güvenliği, siyasal istikrar ve daha fazla servet birikimi için sürdürülmesidir.

Keywords

• 1. Ara Dönem
• Mısır Orta Krallığı
• Aşağı ve Yukarı Nübye
• Medjay ve C-Grup Kültürleri
• Kerma Kültürü

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