These concepts had a major influence on many civilizations of the future, including most of the world today. The first fundamental forms of arithmetic were introduced, leading to advances in many other aspects of life, such as architecture. Hieroglyphics were symbols used as a form of writing and communication. Whether painted or carved in stone, they left behind a trace of their world. These hieroglyphs were often complex symbols, so hieratic numerals were fashioned as a more general form of writing to create more efficiency in their daily lives (Oliver 6). “Egyptian astronomer-priests studied the sky, mapped the constellations, and traced the movements of the planets” (Elisabeth Gaynor Ellis et al. 32). Using this knowledge, the Egyptians developed the 365-day calendar which obviously had a major imprint on today's society. They used their skills and intelligence to build large structures and monuments (the Great Pyramids are among the most sophisticated known today). Above all, the world's first national government was organized, which forms the foundation of their society. Pharaohs ruled with the help of a chief minister who would oversee government affairs. These chief ministers would follow many important things like tax collection, management of irrigation systems and agriculture (Elisabeth Gaynor Ellis et al. 25). They had thousands of scribes who gave instructions to