Biography
True or False:
The Step Pyramid of Djoser was the second Egyptian pyramid ever built.
False
True or False:
Copper chisels and saws were the main tools used to carve stone blocks.
True
What is polytheism?
Polytheism is the belief in many gods.
Who was the architect behind the Step Pyramid of Djoser?
Imhotep, Djoser’s chief architect and high priest
Who was the Step Pyramid built for?
It was built for Pharaoh Djoser as his tomb.
What was the main purpose of building the Step Pyramid of Djoser?
A tomb for Pharaoh Djoser to ascend to heaven
What methods did ancient Egyptians use to move heavy stone blocks?
Ramps and Levers
Name two major gods worshiped in ancient Egypt.
Ra (the Sun God), Horus (the Sky God), and Ptah (the Creator God)
What is the Step Pyramid, and who ordered its construction?
The Step Pyramid is the first pyramid ever built, located at Saqqara. It was ordered by Pharaoh Djoser.
Around what year was the Step Pyramid constructed?
Around 2667 BCE
The Step Pyramid of Djoser is also known as the ____________.
Step Pyramid of Saqqara
What was the main building material used in pyramids, temples, and other ceremonial structures during King Djoser’s reign?
Limestone
Why was the Pharaoh considered divine in ancient Egyptian religion?
The Pharaoh was believed to be both a god and a human ruler — the living embodiment of Horus and the son of Ra.
How did the Step Pyramid serve as a “practice” for later pyramids like those at Giza?
It was the first attempt at monumental stone architecture, setting the design and engineering foundation for later smooth-sided pyramids, such as those at Giza.
What religious purpose did the Step Pyramid serve?
It was built as a stairway to the heavens, helping the pharaoh ascend to the afterlife after death.
What material was primarily used for the first time in large-scale construction during Djoser’s reign?
Stone
Where were the limestone used for?
Used in pyramids, temples, courtyards, shrines and ceremonial buildings.
Explain how the Step Pyramid of Djoser reflected both religious beliefs and political power in Egypt.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser was the first monumental stone building, serving as both a tomb and a religious complex. It symbolized the Pharaoh’s divine connection to the gods.
How did Djoser’s reign contribute to the idea of Pharaohs being divine rulers?
Djoser’s achievements and religious influence reinforced the Pharaoh’s divine status, portraying him as a god on earth and the embodiment of Horus, strengthening the concept of divine kingship.
How was the Step Pyramid constructed and what made it different from earlier tombs?
It was built by stacking six mastabas on top of each other, using local limestone and white Tura limestone for the outer casing. It was the first major Egyptian structure built entirely of stone.
During what years did King Djoser reign?
2592-2566 BCE
What was Pharaoh Djoser's military famous for
Controlling trade routes and resources
Compare the religious roles of Heliopolis and Memphis.
Heliopolis (Worships RA), Memphis (Worships Ptah), and because both represented balance of creation and renewal they came central religious locations.
How might Egypt’s history have changed if Djoser had not commissioned the Step Pyramid?
Without it, Egypt might not have developed monumental stone architecture as early, possibly delaying the symbolic fusion of religion, power, and engineering that defined later dynasties (like the builders of Giza).
What surrounded the pyramid complex, and what was unique about it?
A 10.5-meter-high wall with 14 false gates and only one real entrance.