Edwards establishes the complexity of ancient Egypt’s economy, as well as its systems of religious belief, trade networks, and agriculture. The ancient civilization is presented as a thriving society comprised of several major metropolises that were fully supported by a major network of food and goods production. The author also emphasizes the vital role of the Nile in supporting Egyptian civilization and acting as the “heart” (8) of ancient Egypt. This metaphor stresses the vital role of the Nile in sustaining life, for just as a person cannot live without a heart, a civilization of permanent structures could never have sprung up in the desert without a reliable water source to irrigate farmland and sustain people and animals alike. Unlike the arid desert, the Nile banks remained lush and fertile, supporting abundant life and growth. As Edwards states:

All along the riverbanks was rich farmland. Peasant farmers tilled their fields with plows pulled by oxen. They sprinkled seeds in the soil to grow wheat and vegetables. They raised pigs and goats and sheep. They planted fruit trees and grew grapes. The river also gave the people fish to eat and ducks to hunt. (8)

The variety of food types produced along the Nile floodplains is emphasized, and Edwards stresses the varied diet of ancient Egyptians.