1. Ancient Egypt Test Study Guide Answers
Friday, November 30th

2. Vocabulary
Cataracts – rushing rapids along the Nile River-white-water rapids
Delta – a triangle shaped area of land made from soil deposited from a river
Pharaoh – the title used by the pharaohs of Egypt-believed to be part god and part human
Dynasty – a series of rulers from the same family

3. Vocabulary
Afterlife – life after death, much of Egyptian religion focused on the afterlife
Mummies – a specially treated body wrapped in cloth for preservation
Sarcophagus – a case which contained the preserved mummy-like a casket today
Ka – Ancient Egyptians believed that ka was a person’s life force-the ka had all the same needs that the person had when she or he was living (much like a spirit)

4. Vocabulary
Pyramid – huge triangular tomb build by the Egyptians and other peoples
Hieroglyphics –the ancient Egyptian writing system that used picture symbols
Papyrus – long-lasting paper like material made from reeds that the ancient Egyptians used to write on

5. People to Know:
Menes - Legendary Egyptian ruler, he unified the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt and built the new capital city of Memphis
King Tutankhamen – Egyptian pharaoh, he died while still a young king. The discovery of his tomb (Valley of the Kings) in 1922 has taught archaeologists much about Egyptian culture.

6. Short Answer Questions
1. A pharaoh was considered to ½ King and ½ God
2. Ancient Egypt is split into 3 periods known as the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.
Who did people blame if the crops did not grow? The Pharaoh

7. Short Answers 1. Why was Egypt called the gift of the Nile?
Because it gave life to the desert due to flooding—fertile soil.
2. Why was Egypt a hard place to attack?
Cataracts-strong rapids throughout the Nile made it hard to invade; desert to the east and west made it hard to invade (Western and Eastern Desert); the seas to the north (Mediterranean). All created natural barriers making Egypt hard to invade.

8. Short Answers
3. How was society structured in the Old Kingdom? (draw the pyramid)
A. Pharaoh-ruled Egypt as a god/king
B. Nobles-officials and priests helped run the government and temples (usually related to pharaoh)
C. Scribes and Craftspeople-scribes wrote and craftspeople produced goods
D. Farmers, Servants and Slaves-Most Egyptians were farmers (80%) Below them were servants and slaves

9. Short Answers 4. Why did Egyptians mummify their dead?
To prepare their body for the afterlife-Egyptians believed that if the body wasn’t mummified, their soul would not be able to recognize their body and spend eternity searching for it (thus missing their afterlife)
5. Describe (with at least two details) the general religious beliefs of ancient Egypt
Polytheistic (explain)
Focus on the afterlife (explain)
Burial practices –mummification and preparation for the afterlife

10. Short Answers
6. Name three primary sources we have in 2014 from ancient Egypt. Also, what can we learn from each?
Answers will vary, make sure you explain them with detail and HOW you know you can learn those specific things from these primary sources…
Mummies, pyramids, jewelry, furniture, temples, the Rosetta Stone, hieroglyphics
7. Compare and Contrast Egypt and Mesopotamia.