“Peasant farmers tilled their fields with plows pulled by oxen. They sprinkled seeds in the soil to grow wheat and vegetables. They raised pigs and goats and sheep.”

Edwards portrays Ancient Egypt as a Complex, Thriving Civilization when she emphasizes the varied diet enjoyed by ancient Egyptians. This level of decadence was enabled by their knowledge of agricultural practices as well as their understanding of the environment of the Nile Delta’s banks. The empire also enjoyed extensive trade with other regions and brought many foreign foods to be enjoyed, further contributing to a thriving society.

“The Nile is the longest river in the world—a little more than four thousand miles long. It was the heart of ancient Egypt.”

Just as a person cannot live without a heart, ancient Egypt could not have existed without the Nile. This metaphor emphasizes how pivotal the river’s existence was to providing everyone with access to water and the ability to produce food and goods. The river itself also enabled trade and transport and provided clay for building a variety of structures.

“Ancient Memphis may have been the first city in the world to have a million people.”

Once again, Edwards emphasizes the status of Ancient Egypt as a Complex, Thriving Civilization by stressing the huge population sheltered in the metropolis of Memphis. Such cities were supported by Egyptian food production, infrastructure, and economic strength. With these descriptions, Edwards debunks the false assumption that cities of this size only exist in modern times.