Egypt Flashcards
What did the Early Dynastic Period include?
rise of administrators for irrigation, Nile River flooding allowed Egypt to be based on cooperation and not exploitation
used shaduf, stone tools, some copper
created a 365 1/4 day calendar, hieroglyphics & hieratic
What are the two areas of Egypt?
Lower Egypt near delta area with king wearing white crown
Upper Egypt 150m from delta with king in red crown
What happened during the Old Kingdom?
King Narmer united Upper and Lower,
capital at Memphis by Hora-ha, Pharoh concept begins, domination of religion with Grand Viziers and Nomes, begin in build pyramids with Zoser, mummification starts as well
What was the job of the pharoh?
To uphold Ma’at (the universe and anti-chaos), they had supreme power and were the source of law and justice
What was the Rosetta Stone?
Tablet with hieroglyph, old greek, and new greek which people used the greek to translate the hieroglyphics
Who was Amon-Re, Osiris, Isis, Set(h), Horus, Nepthys, Thoth, Anubis, children of Horus
Amon-Re = sun god
Osiris = King of Dead, god of Nile
Isis: wife and sister of Osiris
Set(h): evil brother ^^
Horus: Pharoh on Earth
Anubis: god of mummification
Nepthys: sister of Isis
Thoth: scribal god at Scales of Ma’at
Children of Horus guard Canopic Jars
What is the Ba and Ka?
Ba = soul that leaves body after death
Ka = body double that stays in tomb nourished with food and drink
When could all souls appear before Osiris?
By middle kingdom
What were some egyptian attitudes?
no caste system or color bar, the humble could rise with talent, slavery never widespread except in expansion (NK), pharoh embodied justice & order, Pharoh never considered tyranny or slavery
How was the Middle Kingdom?
period of chaos and disunity, loss of king power to nobles, capital to Thebes, “Re-Amon”, irrigation projects expand to Nubia and Syria
How was MK Religion?
pyramids give way to temples, religion more ethical with salvation for all, moral conduct important
How does MK end?
Hyksos invasion; easy to do with chariots and horses and bronze weapons
How does the New Kingdom start?
Ahmose defeats Hyksos and becomes Pharoh, Egypt now militaristic with conquest, expands into Euphrates Valley with violent struggles with Hittites, plunder causes much wealth and cultural diffusion also slavery greed rebellion
religion is debased with great power of priests
Ramses II – 99 years old, 150 children
What does Akhenaton do and How does Tut respond?
Akhenaton discards Amon-Re for Aton in new religion. Aton is universal and people worship Pharoh who worships Aton, new capital at El Armana. New religion monotheistic, intolerance towards priests.
King Tut returns religion back to Amon-Re and Akhenaton’s name is erased due to heavy dislike by people
How were women seen in Ancient Egypt?
liberated, honored, could own property, business, could ascend to throne, polygamy permitted
