You have seen how the yearly flood shaped life in Egypt. It even shaped the calendar. Egyptians did not count four seasons like spring, summer, fall and winter. They counted three, and all three were about the river and the fields.
Key idea
The Egyptian year had three seasons: Akhet, the flood; Peret, the growing time; and Shemu, the harvest. Each season had four months of 30 days.
Why it works
In Egypt, weather changes little: it is warm and dry most of the year. What changed was the river. First the fields were under water (Akhet). Then the water went down and seeds sprouted in the mud (Peret). Then the crops were cut (Shemu). Naming the seasons after the river told everyone what work came next.
| Season | What happened | About when |
|---|---|---|
| Akhet | the flood covers the fields | late summer to fall |
| Peret | water goes down; planting and growing | winter to spring |
| Shemu | harvest; the river is low | spring to summer |
Worked example: Counting the days
Each season had 4 months, and each month had 30 days. How many days were in the three seasons?
- One season: 4 × 30 = 120 days.
- Three seasons: 3 × 120 = 360 days.
- Egyptians added 5 extra feast days at the end of the year.
Answer: 360 days, and with the 5 extra days, 365.
Common mistake
Expecting four seasons named for the weather. Egypt's three seasons followed the river. A quick check: Akhet comes first because the year started with the flood.