Early Dynastic Period Flashcards
What is the early history of Egypt known as ?
Pre-history
When historians refer to Ancient Egypt what part are they referring to ?
The Early Dynastic Period
How else is the Early Dynastic Period known as ?
The Archaic Period
What is the period that just preceded the
Early Dynastic Period ?
The Naqada III Period
When did the Early Dynastic Period begin ?
Immediately after the unification of Egypt
Which parts of Egypt were part of this unification ?
Upper and Lower Egypt
On what date did the Early Dynastic Period start ?
Around 3100 BC
On what date did the Early Dynastic Period end ?
Around 2686 BC
Which Dynasties did the Early Dynastic Period incorporate ?
The First and Second Dynasties
How were settlements and villages governed before unification ?
They were self governed or autonomous
When the Early Dynastic Period was formed what was the land known as ?
‘The Two Lands’
How were public affairs managed when the Early Dynastic Period started ?
By the creation of a royal and government administration
What materials were the central government buildings constructed of ?
Wood and/or sandstone
Which king is credited with the unification of Egypt ?
King Narmer
By what other name do Egyptologists recognise King Narmer ?
Menes
What was a common occurrence between Upper and Lower Egypt before King Narmer’s reign ?
Warfare
How did King Narmer merge the 2 kingdoms ?
By defeating the military of Lower Egypt in the Nile Delta
How many times was Egypt unified before King Narmer?
None - this was the first time
How is Egypt’s unification portrayed in Egyptian mythology ?
By a battle between the gods Horus and Set (Seth)
Which region did Horus represent and what animals head depicted him ?
Horus is identified with Lower Egypt and has the head of a falcon
Which region did Set represent and what animals head depicted him ?
Set is identified with Upper Egypt and has the head of a jackal
Where were most of Egypt’s societies found before the Early Dynastic Period ?
Along the river Nile
What was the main source of income for the pre Early Dynastic Period societies ?
Agriculture - both in crops and animals
From what date did Ancient Egyptian societies begin to advance rapidly ?
3600 BC
Name 6 examples of how Ancient Egyptian society rapidly advanced ?
- Use of sun-dried bricks for more advanced
architecture & more permanent buildings - Use of copper
- Creating new pottery
- Construction of mastabas (ancient tombs)
- Planting more cereal crops to stabilise the
economy - Expanding their writing symbols from just a
few characters to over 200 symbols
As trading networks sprung up and agricultural organisation improved what else started to unify ?
Politics
Did all this advancement and political unification continue into the Early Dynastic Period ?
Yes it did
According to Menetho, the Greek-Egyptian ancient historian, who did he state was the first ruler of the Early Dynastic Period ?
Menes
Most historians believe that Menes is no other than who ?
King Narmer
Some historians believe that Narmer was actually the last ruler of which era ?
The Naqada III period
Some historians believe that Menes is no other than __________ rather than Narmer ?
Hor - Aha
Which ruler is indisputably the first ruler of “The Two Lands” ?
King Narmer
What proof is there that King Narmer is the First ruler of “The Two Lands” ?
He is depicted wearing both crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt
How can you indentify these crowns ?
The crown of Upper Egypt was white representing the lotus flower, and the one for Lower Egypt was red for the papyrus reed
What period followed the Early Dynastic Period ?
The Old Kingdom
