Ancient Egypt: Gods, Power and Legacy

Learn about Ancient Egypt’s belief systems, rulers and cultural achievements with our history short courses 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 course, you will explore the powerful role of religion, the complexity of Egyptian writing, and the dramatic stories of rulers who defined Egypt’s golden age.

Join this class 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 engaging lectures and discussion, this course connects ancient beliefs and practices with modern archaeological discoveries, helping you understand how our knowledge of Egypt has evolved. It is ideal for those who have completed the introductory course or for learners with some prior knowledge seeking a deeper perspective.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Ancient Egypt course, you should be able to:

• Explain the significance of Egyptian gods and religious practices
• Describe beliefs about death, burial and the afterlife
• Recognise key elements of hieroglyphic writing and its purpose
• Identify major Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom pharaohs and their historical impact
• Discuss how archaeology has contributed to modern understanding of Ancient Egypt

Course content

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

Session 1: Gods and Belief Systems

Learn about the major deities and how religion shaped both public and private life in Ancient Egypt.

Session 2: Death and the Afterlife

Examine burial practices, mummification and beliefs about immortality, including the journey to the afterlife.

Session 3: Hieroglyphs and Knowledge

Explore the Egyptian writing system, the role of scribes and how the Rosetta Stone enabled modern understanding of hieroglyphs.

Session 4: Empire and Rediscovery

Investigate the Middle and New Kingdoms and its powerful rulers, the decline of Ancient Egypt and its  rediscovery through archaeology.

Pathway and further study

These two courses form part of a broader exploration of ancient civilisations. You may also be interested in related studies in archaeology, art history or cultural history to deepen your understanding of the ancient world.