The Season of the Inundation (the MdC transliteration of the Egyptian term is Axt, and it is occasionally written as Akhet) was the first season in the ancient Egyptian calendar. This season is also known as the time of the floods. The Ancient Egyptians marked the beginning of their year by the rising of the Nile. This event was vital to the people because the waters left behind fertile silt and moisture, which was the cause of the fertility of the Egyptian nation. The inundation fell between mid-July and mid-November and began after the period of 5 epagomenal days known as ḥriw rnpt, "those over the year".