Egypt
When was ancient Egypt the most powerful and prosperous?
Describe the best characteristic of the Nile river's soil.
Since there was less to farm in Kush than in Egypt what did it motivate the Kushites to do?
Kushites were more motivated to trade.
What was the Kushite language called?
Meroitic
How did Egypt's grain surplus encourage the people to become artisans?
Rulers used the surpluses to buy luxury goods such as cloth and jewellry.
Why is the Book of the Dead a well-known piece of ancient Egyptian literature?
The Book of the Dead is a guide to the afterlife for the souls of the dead.
The Pharaoh's of ancient Egypt were considered to be the human form of which Egyptian God?
The Egyptian God, Horus.
How did the geographical location of Kush help it become a powerful kingdom?
Name two of the major accomplishments of the Kushite.
Two of the major accomplishments were the invention of one of the world's first alphabets and the development of Africa's first iron-working centre.
In order to construct the pyramids the ancient Egyptians needed to be proficient in what?
They needed to be proficient in engineering and mathematics.
Name two possible consequences of a drought in ancient Egypt?
A drought in ancient Egypt could decrease the yield of grain crops and there would not be enough food causing people to go hungry.
What were the purpose of tomb paintings?
To provide the buried person with the objects needed in the afterlife.
What were the advantages of establishing Meroe as the new capital of Kush?
It became the new capital because it was located near iron deposits and trade routes.
The continuance of trade with Egypt had what effect on Kush civilization?
Kushites adopted many of the elements of Egyptian culture.
The geography of ancient Egypt included vast desert areas of burning sands known as
the Red Land
Starting from the highest social order, name in the correct order the social structure of ancient Egypt.
Pharaoh, Priests, Scribes, Merchants, and lastly farmers.
How did Hatshepsut change Egypt during her reign as pharaoh?
Hatshepsut increased Egypt's wealth by expanding trade routes.
How were Egyptian farmers able to produce enough food to create a surplus?
The Nile flooded the land each year and left behind silt, which made the soil fertile. Egyptians also used irrigation. For example, they built earthen walls around fields to trap the Nile’s floodwaters. This irrigation technique allowed water to soak into the soil and grains such as wheat to grow.
How were the ancient Egyptians' advancements in the fields of astronomy and mathematics helpful to farmers?
Ancient Egyptians developed a calendar that linked seasons. This allowed farmers to plan when it was best to plant and harvest crops. The Egyptians also monitored the star Sirius to predict when the Nile would flood each year. At the same time every year, Sirius would appear above the horizon before sunrise.
In order to overcome death, what two things did ancient Egyptians believe needed to be done?
They believed you need to prepare for the afterlife by living a good life while on earth and preparing your body after death through mummification.
Name two functions Egypt's bureaucracy performed for the pharaohs?
Egypt's bureaucracy collected taxes from farmers and distributed surpluses to officials, priests, and merchants.
How did the development of hieroglyphics and the invention of papyrus lead to the growth of civilization in Egypt and contribute to the growth of other civilizations?
Hieroglyphics allowed ancient Egyptians to document their knowledge. This allowed them to be able to share their knowledge, as well as preserve it. The invention of papyrus allowed Egyptian writings to be much more easily transportable than the writings of other early civilizations. This allowed their advanced knowledge to be more easily shared.
Who was the Kushite leader that declared himself pharaoh, beginning the Kushite Dynasty in Egypt?
Shabaka
What was the relationship between Egypt and Kush?
Sometimes at war. Egypt invaded Kush and Kushites later revolted and gained their independence. Kushites kept many of the Egyptian ways they had adopted. Egypt and Kush were also trading partners.
During the time of the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom, why did Egypt conquer most of Kush?
Egypt recognized that Kush was rich in many resources that their own empire lacked. By conquering Kush, Egyptians would have more access to resources, especially gold, which would allow them to buy other important resources from civilizations in the Mediterranean.