Show:
Civilization on the Nile
Meeting Basic Needs
Cultural Expressions
Cultural Structures
Legacy of Egypt
100
Why was the Nile called a gift to Egypt? Think of as many reasons as you can.
It flooded every year, leaving a rich layer of silt that gave nutrients to crops. It was a major source of fresh water. It was a transportation route that helped to unify Egypt because it was easy to get to different places along the Nile. The cataracts (white water rapids) in the south Nile helped to stop foreign invaders. The marshy delta in the north Nile was rich in resources. The Nile gave access to the Mediterranean which allowed Egypt to trade with other civilizations. Beside the Nile grew reeds which were used to make papyrus, a paper-like sheet for writing. Egyptians fished, rowed, swam, hunted, and played on the Nile. The Egyptians believed that life began on a mound in the river. The yearly flooding cycle (Shemu, Akhet, and Peret) was so predictable the Egyptians based their calendar on it.
100
What great developments did the success in farming bring the Egyptians?
Because fewer people had to work in the fields, more people could do other things. Crafts people could make fine linen, wall hangings, wall paintings, pottery, fabric, tools of stone and metal, and luxury goods. New engineering and building techniques allowed settlements to grow into great cities. More valuable goods meant more trade, which increased Egypt’s wealth and gave people more new goods and comforts.
100
What are some ways the ancient Egyptians showed their culture?
The ancient Egyptians showed their culture through their art, language, beliefs, religion, and traditions.
100
What is the order of people in power in Egyptian society?
1. The Pharaoh 2. Nobles and military leaders. 3. Priests and scribes 4. Craftspeople and Merchants 5. Peasant Farmers 6. Slaves
100
Describe what a civilization is.
A civilization is a large, organized society that has lasted a long time. Many people live together peacefully. The word civilization comes from the same word as the word city¸the latin word civis, which means ‘home’.
200
What are the three stages of the farming/flooding cycle? Why are they important?
The three stages of the farming/flooding cycle are Akhet (flood time), Peret (sowing time), and Shemu (harvest time). This cycle was so predictable the Egyptians based a calendar on it.
200
What were the benefits of the Egyptian system of writing called hieroglyphics?
They allowed people to keep track of their wealth. They could record business dealings. They wrote poetry, magic spells, and stories. They recorded their knowledge. Much of their knowledge was painted or carved on the walls of tombs, so we have a record of what their lives were like.
200
What are some specific features about ancient Egyptian fashion?
Make-up—everybody wore make up, rich/poor/men/women/children. They used kohl on their eyes, ochre on their lips and cheeks, and henna to colour their fingernails orange. Hairstyles—short hair, girls-pigtails, boys-braided lock/shaved, sheep’s wool/human hair wigs. Jewellery—amulets for keeping away evil spirits. Men and women wore earrings, armlets, bracelets, anklets. Rich people wore gold and precious stones. Ordinary people wore less expensive materials. Clothing—white linen made from the flax plant fibres. Ordinary women wore a simple linen shift (dress) Wealthy women wore a transparent covering over their shifts. Men wore loincloths. Most people went barefoot, but wore sandals on special occasions.
200
Describe the significance of the crowns of Egypt.
The white crown was worn by the rulers of Upper (southern) Egypt. The red crown was worn by the rulers of Lower (northern) Egypt. The double crown (red and white) was worn after the two kingdoms were united.
200
What is a legacy?
A legacy is something that one generation leaves for those who follow. It could be achievements, wealth, knowledge, traditions, monuments, public works, or artefacts.
300
How did the ancient Egyptians effectively use the water of the Nile throughout the year?
In an efficient system of dikes, irrigation ditches, and canals, they trapped the water for later use, and also protected their settlement from flooding.
300
What was similar and different about the foods of the ordinary people and the rich people?
All Egyptians had lots to eat. All Egyptians ate bread, beans, onions, leeks, fruit, and fish. All Egyptians ate with their fingers. Ordinary people ate pork and drank barley beer. Rich people ate roast beef and drank wine. Rich people ate from bronze, silver, and gold dishes. People used clay ovens…ordinary people cooked their own food, rich people had servants or slaves cook their food.
300
What was religion like in ancient Egypt?
The ancient Egyptians worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses. Many deities (gods) had animal heads and human bodies. Egyptians believed that everything in their lives happened because of deities. All Egyptians believed in life after death. Egyptians spent their lives preparing for the afterlife. Pharaohs built tombs and collected treasure to store with their mummies. They used the book of the dead as a map to get into the afterlife. Egyptians were embalmed and made into mummies.
300
Give examples that show the power of the Pharaoh on ancient Egypt.
Egyptians believed he was a god. (Horus) Everybody obeyed his commands. He controlled all the land, trade, and people. He controlled irrigation and where people lived. He took a large share of the crops grown along the Nile. If he wanted something done, it was done, whether attacking invaders or killing someone on the spot.
300
What are the six main features of a civilization?
1. systems for keeping records 2. plenty of food 3. large settlements 4. great works 5. structured society 6. many types of jobs
400
Describe how the landscape of ancient Egypt affected its culture.
The Nile river flowed from the southern mountains to the Mediterranean, allowing people to easily visits parts of Egypt. On either side of the Nile was a fringe of fertile black soil where abundant crops were grown, and where people settled. Beyond the fertile land was the Sahara Desert, which protected Egypt from invaders, and which also provided sandstone for building great buildings and statues. The southern mountains and the river's cataracts also protected Egypt from invaders. There was a triangular delta where the Nile emptied into the Mediterranean Sea. This delta was rich in resources, which could easily be traded with people on the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile river comes from two other rivers, the White Nile and the Blue Nile. They are named for their colours.
400
What was the role of women in ancient Egyptian society?
Women could earn money and own property. Women could ask for a divorce or fight a divorce. Women could keep children and property after a divorce, and they could marry again. Ordinary women raised and cared for their children. Wealthy women had servants who raised and cared for their children.
400
What were some of the more important points in making a mummy?
*internal organs removed and put into canopic jars. *the process of mummification took 70 days *the brain was scooped out and thrown out. *the mouth was filled with linen *the body was packed in natron (salt) *the body cavity was stuffed with resin, sawdust, or linen *onions or painted stones were put in the eye sockets *beeswax was put in the nostrils *the body was tightly wrapped in linen and put into a sarcophagus *jewellery was wrapped up with the mummy
400
How did Akhenaten try to change ancient Egyptian society?
He influenced art and architecture. He wanted art to be more realistic. He replaced the many gods and goddesses with one god, Aten. He said he was the only one who could contact Aten, so the priests lost their power and wealth. He wrote letters which tell us what political life was like in Egypt during his reign. When he died, the gods and goddesses were brought back, along with the high priests, who had his name erased from monuments.
400
Describe in detail one of the main features of civilization.
1. systems for keeping records *recording wealth, what they own, buy, and sell *recording taxes *laws, history, literature *knowledge 2. plenty of food *extra food can be stored for times when food is scarce *extra food can be traded for other goods 3. large settlements *large groups living together can protect themselves from enemies *in order to live together in peace, people need to work out differences 4. great works *buildings, art, monuments, public works *these are possible when people don’t have to work to get food. *the government must be able to organize these projects 5. structured society *social structures that clarify who has power *often, those with military might controlled wealth and people 6. many types of jobs *if only a few people need to farm, then other jobs can be possible. *craftspeople, teachers, soldiers, traders, artists, and others
500
What are the three basic components of a culture?
Basic needs (the way a culture provides itself with food, water, shelter, clothing, transportation). Cultural Structures (the way a culture keeps order and passes on culture through laws, government, schools, and religious centres). Cultural Expressions (the way a culture expresses itself through art, language, sports, world views, beliefs, and religions).
500
What was the role of the family in ancient Egyptian society?
The family provided security, food and shelter. The family taught the children how to behave, and the rules of society. The family taught the children the beliefs, customs, and traditions of their culture.
500
Why did Egyptians make mummies?
Ancient Egyptians made mummies because they believed they needed an intact human body as a home for their spirits on earth, so they had to stop the body from rotting by mummifying it.
500
What is the difference between public works and monuments? Give examples of each from ancient Egypt.
Public works are huge building projects that benefit the general public. (examples: irrigation systems, canals, bridges, temples) Monuments are structured built to help us remember. (examples: tombs, pyramids, statues, palaces)
500
Explain how one of the features of civilization applied to ancient Egypt.
1. system for keeping records—they used hieroglyphics 2. plenty of food—the Nile provided fertile soil, so food was easy to grow, and extra food was traded for other goods. The irrigation systems helped Egyptians to have water, and therefore food, all year long. 3. large settlements—the Egyptians were able to protect themselves from invaders with the landscape (cataracts, desert), and by settling in cities where they could work together. 4. great works—the Egyptians built pyramids, temples, palaces, tombs, and irrigation systems 5. structured society—The pharaoh was most important, then the nobles and military leaders, the priests and scribes, the craftspeople and merchants, the farmers, and the slaves. 6. many types of jobs—making artefacts for tombs, teaching hieroglyphics and math, protecting Egypt with the military, trading excess food for goods and luxuries, building public works and monuments