Ancient Egypt: Gods, Power and Legacy

Learn about Ancient Egypt’s belief systems, rulers and cultural achievements with our history & philosophy short courses online & in Sydney!

Delve deeper into the world of Ancient Egypt and uncover the ideas, rituals and individuals that shaped one of history’s most fascinating civilisations. In this engaging course, you will explore the powerful role of religion, the complexity of Egyptian writing systems, and the dramatic stories of rulers who defined Egypt’s golden age.

Join this course to gain a richer understanding of how belief systems influenced every aspect of Egyptian life — from temple rituals to burial practices — and how knowledge was recorded and preserved through hieroglyphs. You will also examine the Middle and New Kingdoms, a period of expansion, wealth and cultural transformation led by some of Egypt’s most iconic pharaohs.

Through illustrated lectures and guided discussion, this course connects ancient beliefs and practices with modern archaeological discoveries, helping you understand how our knowledge of Egypt has evolved over time. It is ideal for those who have completed our Ancient Egypt: Foundations of a Civilisation course, or for learners with some prior knowledge seeking a deeper perspective on Egyptian history and culture.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Ancient Egyptian history course, you will have explored concepts and techniques such as:

• Understanding the significance of Egyptian gods and religious practices
• Exploring beliefs surrounding death, burial and the afterlife
• Recognising key features of hieroglyphic writing and its purpose
• Identifying major Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom pharaohs and their historical impact
• Examining the relationship between religion, political power and daily life
• Discussing how archaeology has contributed to modern understanding of Ancient Egypt

Course content

This course explores religion, writing, power and the legacy of Ancient Egypt.

During the course, participants will work with techniques and ideas such as:

Session 1: Gods and Belief Systems

• Major Egyptian deities and their roles within society
• Religious rituals, temples and sacred practices
• The relationship between religion and political authority

Session 2: Death and the Afterlife

• Burial customs and funerary traditions
• Mummification and tomb culture
• Egyptian beliefs surrounding immortality and the journey to the afterlife

Session 3: Hieroglyphs and Knowledge

• The development and structure of hieroglyphic writing
• The role of scribes in Egyptian society
• The Rosetta Stone and the deciphering of hieroglyphs

Session 4: Empire and Rediscovery

• The Middle and New Kingdoms and their influential rulers
• Cultural achievements and periods of expansion
• The decline of Ancient Egypt and its rediscovery through archaeology

Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and instructor approach.

Intended Audience

Who is this Ancient Egypt: Gods, Power & Legacy Course for?

This course is ideal for learners who:

• Have an interest in Ancient History, mythology or archaeology
• Enjoy lecture-style learning and cultural discussion
• Would like to deepen their understanding of Ancient Egyptian religion and society
• Have completed Ancient Egypt: Foundations of a Civilisation or have some prior knowledge of Egyptian history
• Are interested in the relationship between belief systems, power and culture
• Enjoy intellectually engaging lifelong learning opportunities

Course venue

Online via Zoom

Zoom access details will be provided with your enrolment confirmation.

Requirements:

• A device with a stable internet connection

Additional Information

Please note the following:

• No formal prior study is required, though completion of our Ancient Egypt: Foundations of a Civilisation course is recommended. Bundle discount: Enrol in both courses together and save 15% on the complete Ancient Egypt learning series! Discount applied automatically at checkout.
• This course is delivered in an accessible lecture and discussion-based format
• Participants may wish to bring a notebook for personal notes and reflections

What's Next?

Continue your journey into the ancient world through further humanities and cultural studies courses

These two Ancient Egypt courses form part of a broader exploration of history, culture and civilisation at Sydney Community College. You may also be interested in related studies in archaeology, philosophy, art history or cultural history to deepen your understanding of the ancient world.