A great civilization that grew up around the Nile River, ancient Egypt had sophisticated irrigation systems that held back the desert, writing and recordkeeping that tracked every event in the region, and some of the greatest architects and engineers the world has ever seen. This revised edition ofEmpire of Ancient Egyptsorts through the myths of popular culture and contradictory historical evidence to give a clear, detailed picture of the life and history of the ancient Egyptians. It explains why religion played such an important part in Egyptian politics, who stood atop the Egyptian social pyramid, what games Egyptian children played, and why Egypt eventually succumbed to the Roman Empire. Connections to our modern world include everything from licorice, cosmetics, and the domesticated cat to architecture, farming practices, and baseball. Excerpted from Empire of Ancient Egypt, Revised Edition by Wendy Christensen All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.