Ramses II the British museum by Hisham El. Meniawy

The offering tables on the false doors the British Museum by Hisham El. M...

The Middle kingdom ... the British Museum (Hisham El.Meniawy)

The kings list the British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

The false doors the British Museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

Senosert Middle kingdom ..The British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

Sekhmet The British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

The British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

The tour into The British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

The Rosetta Stone (2) The British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

The Rosetta Stone in The British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

The concept of the second life The British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

Amenhotep I The British museum by Hisham El.Meniawy

The Ancient Egyptian Revolution

The Sacred Compact: The Rise and Fall of the Old Kingdom

At the dawn of Egyptian civilization, as the first unified monarchy took shape, the king occupied a unique position. He was not just a political ruler, but the living representative of the gods on Earth—their direct descendant and divine son. While the people did not worship the pharaoh as a remote deity, they viewed him with immense reverence. In return for this supreme status, the early pharaohs bore a heavy responsibility: to maintain Ma'at (universal order, justice, and harmony) by ensuring the wealth, protection, and happiness of their nation.

This reciprocal bond reached its zenith during the Old Kingdom—the legendary "Age of the Pyramids." The monumental scale of these structures reflects more than just raw labor; it embodies the deep respect and collective devotion of a people working for a ruler they believed in. A project of such staggering magnitude could only be sustained by a population unified in purpose and loyalty to their pharaoh.

However, toward the end of this golden era, that sacred trust began to fracture. Egypt fell into the hands of weak rulers who grew detached from their subjects, prioritizing personal wealth over the common good. Sheltered by a small, corrupt inner circle of nobles, these late Old Kingdom pharaohs lost touch with the realities of their kingdom.

The Catalyst: The Reign of Pepi II

The turning point came during the Sixth Dynasty (around 2300 BCE) with the exceptionally long reign of Pepi II. Ascending the throne as a child of just six years old, his rule dragged on for nearly a century. This prolonged, stagnant reign became the straw that broke the camel's back. As central authority decayed, local governors gained unchecked power, leaving the general population to suffer.

Faced with systemic corruption, crushing poverty, and widespread humiliation, the people of Egypt rose up in the first recorded social revolution in human history. This massive uprising shattered the foundations of the state, bringing a dramatic end to the Old Kingdom. Egypt plunged into the First Intermediate Period—a dark, chaotic era of civil war and fragmentation that lasted until the nation was finally reunited under the Middle Kingdom.

Throughout history, the social contract in Egypt has remained remarkably consistent. The Egyptian people have always sought a strong, respected leader who genuinely cares for their well-being. When a ruler protects, respects, and provides for them, the people are willing to give their absolute devotion. But when that fundamental deal is broken, uprising becomes inevitable. Yet, even in the wake of revolution, the enduring instinct of Egyptian society has always been a swift return to stability, order, and the rebuilding of their timeless civilization.

Hisham el Meniawy

The Ancient Egyptian Revolution

The Catalyst: The Reign of Pepi II

The turning point came during the Sixth Dynasty (around 2300 BCE) with the exceptionally long reign of Pepi II. Ascending the throne as a child of just six years old, his rule dragged on for nearly a century. This prolonged, stagnant reign became the straw that broke the camel's back. As central authority decayed due to the king's advanced age, local governors (nomarchs) seized unchecked power, leaving the general population to bear the brunt of economic ruin.

Faced with systemic corruption, crushing poverty, and widespread humiliation, the people of Egypt rose up in the first recorded social revolution in human history. This massive, popular uprising shattered the foundational concept of the "divine king" and brought a dramatic, chaotic end to the Old Kingdom. Egypt plunged into the First Intermediate Period—an era of civil war, lawlessness, and fragmentation. It would take generations of hardship before the nation could heal, reunite, and birth the Middle Kingdom.

Throughout history, the unspoken social contract in Egypt has remained remarkably consistent. The Egyptian people possess a profound cultural instinct to be led by a respected figure who genuinely cares for their well-being. When a ruler protects, respects, and provides for them, the people are willing to offer their absolute devotion and sacrifice. But when that fundamental deal is broken, uprising becomes inevitable. Yet, even in the wake of total revolution, the enduring genius of Egyptian society has always been its swift, resilient return to stability, order, and the rebuilding of its timeless civilization.

By: Hisham el Meniawy

The meaning of the Revolution

The original meaning of the term "revolution" is to change the government and the governor, as well as the whole political system. But there are other meanings of word as well. The best meaning of the Egyptian revolution is not to change the president and his corrupt regime and shuffle all the ugly faces around, but it strives to change the way of life and thinking of the average Egyptian.

At the beginning of the revolution, we all watched what Egyptian people from all walks of life had done, which was quite unique by all means. A beautiful picture of the Egyptian people, a complete artist's portrait of the great civilization of mankind. The ordinary meaning of revolution is very different from what the Egyptians have asked for. The revolution in Egypt was not against a president, a presidential regime, a corrupt party, but it was a revolution against ignorance and corruption. In spite of the poverty in Egypt, the revolution was not to fight poverty but to call for human rights and justice, to call for lost dignity.

The revolution was a cry for clean streets and great schools, where a new generation will be educated to build the future civilization of Egypt. It was a cry for clean hospitals where people can be well treated. It was a cry for policemen who work to serve both the country and the people who pay taxes, not to act as their master; for a police force that is respected because they represent the country and the law, and do not abuse their power.

The revolution allowed the people to have their voices heard in their country, and has the potential to grow political value abroad, so the Egyptians can feel respected in all countries, never to be disrespected nor underestimated anywhere either as a worker or as a tourist. This was the Egyptian revolution, and once again, time after time, the great Egypt gives another lesson to history.

Hisham El Meniawy

The New Heb Sed Festival

In ancient Egypt thousands of years ago, there was a tradition known as the heb sed which came after 30 years of the pharaoh's rule. The tradition started in other parts of Africa, when people would kill the chief of the tribe after 30 years of his rule, based on the idea that he had given everything he could to his people, and he couldn't give more. As the tribe needed new blood, his successor would attend the ceremony, and watch over the old chief's killing, so his young body could receive the wise soul of his ancestor.

If that was what happened in other parts of Africa, what happened in Egypt was different. The Egyptians have always been very civilized, so they never killed the king. What they used to do was run the beautiful festival, the heb sed, when the pharaoh would prove he was still young and strong enough to rule for another 30 years, something like a re-election.

Is it not funny that the same thing happens in Egypt in the modern time? The people of Egypt decided to change the president after 30 years to change to new blood. 

Mubarak, the ex-president, came into power in 1981 and stepped down in 2011! After 30 years, history repeats itself. After all those years, and from under the tons of dust, Egypt reveals itself, and is ready to teach the whole world the true meaning of democracy.


By Hisham El.Meniawy

The Lotus Revolution 3 .... Jan 31st, 2011

The Lotus Revolution part 1 Jan 30th 2011