HIST 103 Lecture 8: History 103 - Lecture 8
Document Summary
In ancient times, the nile was the fastest way to travel through the region, enabling transportation as well as communication. South winds forced sailboats to the south, and the nile"s current brought them to the south. People often used long poles or paddles while going downstream (north), to move their boats forward. Unlike the continuously attacking mesopotamia, egypt was blessed by natural barriers that fostered peace, shielded it from invasion and gave it a sense of security. Such barriers included the western and eastern deserts; the cataracts (rapids) on the southern part of the nile which made protection relatively easy; and the northern. Nevertheless, those barriers were only effective when coupled at strategic locations with egyptian fortifications. Nor have they stopped trade from developing. Effectively, there is evidence of early trade between egypt and mesopotamia. Egyptian geography and topography essentially played significant roles in the country"s early history.
