Ancient Egypt and the Middle East follow the fluctuating fortunes of the great civilization of Egypt which flourished for 3,000 years in the Nile Valley. Its monumental buildings, along with beautiful tomb paintings, artifacts, documents and writings, provide a picture of a rich, complex, and sophisticated society. Alongside Egypt, other states and cultures developed, building important political and trading links, competing to preserve and extend their influence. Ancient Egypt and the Middle East charts the development of these societies and looks at the factors that shaped the different settlement patterns in this region. Beginning with the first appearance of towns and organized societies in around 3500 BC, the book covers the period of integration under the Old Kingdom, its collapse, and the subsequent reunification under the Middle Kingdom. In the 500 years of the New Kingdom -- the Age of Empire -- Egypt extended its borders and controlled the trading of gold, luxury goods, and natural resources between Asia and Africa. Ancient Egypt and the Middle East also describes Egypt's ultimate decline as successive powers emerged, culminating in its defeat by Rome and assimilation into the Roman Empire.