Ancient Egypt Flashcards
Papyrus
A thick paper-like material, produced from the papyrus plant
Used to make paper, baskets, sandals, boats
Obelisk
A tall, four-sided, narrow, monument which ends in a pyramid shape at the top. Used to honor one person, and their achievements.
Mummification
To make into a mummy by embalming & drying
Canopic Jars
A covered urn used in Ancient Egyptian burials to hold entrails from a mummy
Pyramid
A structure with a square or triangular base and sloping sides that meet in a point at the top
Sphinx
An Ancient Egyptian stone figure having a lion’s body & a human or animal head
Rosetta Stone
Ancient Egyptian stone with writing on it. Gave first clues to deciphering hieroglyphics.
Pharaoh
Political leader and a god
Son of Isis
Becomes Ra after he dies
Theocracy
Monarch with political and religious power
Three Kingdoms
Old Kingdom
Middle Kingdome
New Kingdom
Times of strong centralized power
Intermediate Periods
Times of weak centralized power
Queen can become Pharaoh when. . .
If her husband dies
Imports
Iron, copper, silver, leopard skin, horses, cattle, spices, ivory
Exports
Barley, wheat, papyrus paper, gold, wine
Industry
craftspeople with small shops, potters, jewelers, miners (gems & metals), farmers, furniture makers, masons, metal workers, ship builders
Farming
wheat, barley, grapes, melons, lettuces, onions, beans, figs, dates, sheep, cattle, pigs, geese, goats, donkeys
Taxes
Tax assessors would measure silt deposits on each farm and estimate how much grain the farm would produce to determine how much would be paid in taxes
500 BC
Egyptians start to use coins
Social Structure (top to bottom)
Pharaoh - highest religious importance Priests, Gov't Officials & Nobles Warriors & Scribes Tradesmen & Craftspeople Farmers Slaves & Servants
Set
God of chaos and evil, Osiris’ brother, puts Osiris in a box and he drowns, later cuts him up into 14 pieces and throws pieces all over the world
Osiris
God of the dead and fertility, Set’s brother, killed again by Set by cutting him into 14 pieces
Horus
God of the sky, eyes are sun & moon, son of Osiris, overthrew Set to become king of Egypt.
Religion
Polytheistic
Based in nature and agriculture
Many gods assisted the Egyptians - PROTECTION
Animal gods and goddesses
Importance of Death
Names and achievements HAD to be written down or person would disappear after death
Pharaoh had to make journey through underworld after he died, or sun would not come up = end of world