How Geography Matters to Egypt Israel and Greece

Geography as a Determinant of History In Egypt, Israel and Greece

Geography is important in history. For an individual to properly examine and understand history, he/she must learn or understand geography. This implies that without geography, it is relatively difficult and nearly impossible to understand history given the role of geography in history. Actually, geography has shaped history in various diverse ways, which reflects its importance in understanding nations. The significance of geography in history is demonstrated in how it matters to Egypt, Israel, and Greece. The history of these countries is understood through geography, which played an important role in the formation of these nations. Apart from being an important aspect, there are various limits of geography as a determinant of history in Egypt, Israel, and Greece.

How Geography Matters to Egypt, Israel and Greece

As previously mentioned, the history of Egypt, Israel, and Greece was largely shaped by geography, which played an important role in the formation and development of these countries. Egypt has a long and rich history that can be traced back to the Lower Paleolithic Period though the Dynastic Period played a vital role in the nation's history. The nation's history has conveniently been divided into periods, kingdoms, and dynasties despite increased fluctuations in the precise dates of these historical components (Chan par, 6). However, despite the division of the nation's history into periods, kingdoms, and dynasties, geography played a vital role in the historical development of Egypt. Geography matters in the history of Egypt since the country's society thrived in two major areas of the Nile i.e. the Nile River Valley and the Delta. While the geographical origins of the rivers are found to be partly in Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethiopia, the miles or kilometers covered by these rivers is crucial in Egypt's history since it's the premise for the initial prosperity of the Egyptian society.

Israel is a country whose history was significantly shaped by the Ancient Near East powers including Egypt and Greece. The origins of the country and history are largely attributed to biblical accounts of the story of Israelites, especially their exodus from Egypt (which was considered the land of slavery) to Canaan (i.e. the promised land). Despite the historical importance of the biblical accounts of the Israelites, geography has played an important role in Israel's history. Actually, the significance of geography in Israel's history is reflected in the current boundary struggles with Palestine. The territory of the old state of Israel was dominated by Greeks before Israel won independence. This implies that territorial determination was the basis through Israel won its independence and a crucial aspect in the nation's history.

As evident in the previous exploration of how geography matters to Israel, geography played an important role in the history of Greece, which was one of the Ancient Near East powers. Greece dominated the territory of the old state of Israel at a time when the land between Euphrates River and Tigris dominated Israel. The three most important aspects that reflect the significance of geography to Greece are the mountains that divided the country into several relatively small regions, the proximity to the sea of all Greeks, and the Mediterranean climate (Hicks, p.1).

Limits of Geography as a Determinant of History

Despite the role and significance of geography in the histories of these countries, there are various limits to it as a determinant of history. While geography influenced and relatively shaped these countries' histories, it did not necessarily act as a determinant or the most important factor in these histories. In Egypt's case, the role of geography in history was primarily limited to the Nile through which initial Egyptian society thrived. These rivers played an important role in the survival and development of the nation but did not significantly impact her history. In this case, geography's role in Egypt's history is with regards to the rivers but not necessarily political and social factors that significantly shaped the nation. Periods, kingdoms, and dynasties are political components that has much impact on the country's history than geography.

With regards to Israel, the role of geography was mainly restricted to territorial boundaries and lands between Tigris and Euphrates. These territorial boundaries helped in shaping Israel's history by acting as the major factor through which the country would fight for independence and commence its development. However, the other political and social factors outweigh the role of geography as a determinant of Israel's history. Much of the country's history is attributable to its link to Egypt, which influenced ancient Israelites in relation to the exodus to these people from slavery in Egypt to Canaan. Actually, a large portion of Israel's history is shaped by the animosities between Israelites and Pharaoh of Egypt, which culminated in freedom from slavery and formulation of the nation of Israel (Zank par, 7).