Pyramid

No culture has exerted as much influence on the minds of subsequent generations as Egypt's. The impact its pyramids and art have had on our collective psyche is vivid and prescient. 

For three thousand years Egypt developed with little or no interference from without, except for one century (one!) c. 1700 B.C. during the time of Hyksos rule when invaders took over the northern delta region while Thebans continued to control the south. 

Part of the reason why Egypt enjoyed such long periods of self-rule is due to its unique natural defenses.  With the sea to the north and deserts east, west and south, this isolation from threat beyond its borders favored the development of its civilization without disruption until late in their history. 

As well, an ample water supply from the Nile together with long draughts when agricultural work was impossible gave the Egyptians time to focus on non-military aspects of their culture, such as art.  With the satisfaction of the prime material necessities—food, shelter and clothing—the Egyptians enjoyed a "leisure time" that allowed them to create their wonderful monuments and perfect their unique art which, in turn, contributed to the great impression they left upon history. 

So, in the protected oasis of the Nile valley, an archaic civilization retained its form in essential purity from c. 3100 B.C. until the dawn of the Christian era when Rome adopted Christianity as the official religion and ordered all pagan temples closed.  As Egypt was by then a province of Rome this edict included her own temples and marked the end of her history. And this is why it has left such a lasting impact on our collective imagination.