Geography of Egypt
What river was essential to Egyptian civilization?
The Nile River
During what period were the Great Pyramids built?
Old Kingdom
Who was the earliest well-known female ruler of Egypt?
Hatshepsut
What writing system did Egyptians use?
Hieroglyphs
Who ruled the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms?
Dynasties of pharaohs
What predictable natural event allowed agriculture to thrive?
The Nile’s annual flooding with fertile silt
What massive tombs did pharaohs build to house their bodies?
Pyramids
What battle did Ramses II fight against the Hittites?
The Battle of Kadesh
What material made from reeds was used for writing?
Papyrus
Who was blamed for disasters like famine and floods?
The pharaohs
What two regions made up Egypt’s heartland?
Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt
Who designed the first step pyramid for King Djoser?
Imhotep
What people regularly invaded Egypt during the New Kingdom but never conquered it?
The Sea Peoples
What skill did Egyptians develop through mummification?
Medicine
What was the role of a vizier?
The pharaoh’s chief official, managing government and daily affairs
What physical feature formed a natural barrier against invasion and provided stone and gold?
The desert
What foreign group ruled Lower Egypt during the Middle Kingdom?
The Hyksos
What Kushite king invaded Egypt and united it under his rule?
Piankhi
What discovery in 1799 helped scholars decode hieroglyphs?
The Rosetta Stone
Which group held the least power in Egyptian society?
Unskilled workers and enslaved people
How did the Nile’s current and winds make transportation easier?
Current carried boats north, winds blew south — so ships could travel both directions
What new weapons did the Hyksos bring to Egypt?
Horse-drawn chariots, new bows, curved swords, and armor
Who was the last pharaoh before Egypt fell to Rome?
Cleopatra VII
What branch of science led Egyptians to create a 365-day calendar?
Astronomy
What symbol combined the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt?
The Double Crown