Egypt Flashcards
Who supported the theory of interventionism in regards to the construction of the pyramids?
Von Daniken
What was the theory of interventionism in regards to the construction of the pyramids?
Earth was visited by aliens, and their offspring became the human race. Primitive people remember them as gods, and used their knowledge to help build the pyramids.
What is some support for [3] and problems [1] with the theory of interventionism [pyramids]?
SUPPORT:
-height of pyramid corresponds with distance of Earth to the sun
-Meridian running through pyramids divides continents into equal halves
-not possible even by today’s standards
PROBLEMS:
-no physical evidence
Who supported the ‘heave-ho’ theory?
Sears & Wilson
What was the ‘heave-ho’ theory?
Egyptians built the pyramids using wooden rollers/rafts/pulleys/sleds, and used earthen clumps to increase the height.
What is some support [4] for and problems [3] with the theory of ‘heave-ho’?
SUPPORT: -wood available -tomb pictures depict men moving heavy statues on rollers -holes indicate surveying -found tools and granary in excavation PROBLEMS: -not possible in the time frame -no mural depictions -copper couldn't cut limestone
Who supported the theory of alchemy?
Davidovitis and Morrison
What was the theory of alchemy?
Blocks of the pyramid are synthetic stone cast directly into place.
What is some support [3] for and problems [1] with the theory of alchemy?
SUPPORT: -suitable materials -Egyptians were highly skilled in alchemy -no cracks or tool marks PROBLEMS: -no proof
What was the significance of Akhenaton and when did he rule?
[circa 1350 BC] He attempted movement from polytheism to monotheism (one sun god, Aton), moved the capital from Thebes to Akhenaton, people were not happy.
What was the significance of Tutankhamen and when did he rule?
[circa 1334 BC] He became pharaoh at age 8 and died at 19, he restored the polytheistic religious traditions, moved the capital back to Thebes, and is known because his tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.
What was the significance of Hatshepsut and when did she rule?
[circa 1470 BC] She was history’s first great woman ruler, expanded trade, built temples and monuments, and Egypt prospered under her rule.
What was the significance of Ramses II and when did he rule? [6]
[circa 1290 BC] He was the last great Egyptian pharaoh, ruled for 67 years, had a lot of wives and kids, built colossal structures more focused on size than detail, used Jewish slaves, and lived in the time of Moses.
What was the significance of Ptolemy and when did he rule?
[circa 300 BC] He was one of Alexander the Great’s Generals who took control of Egypt after his death. He founded the Ptolemic dynasty of Egypt, which was the last dynasty before it fell to Roman rule. Macedonian, not native Egyptian ruler.
What was the significance of Cleopatra and when did she rule?
[circa 60 BC] She was the last pharaoh of Egypt before the Romans took over and the Empire fell. Powerful woman of her time, tried to save Egypt by allying with powerful Roman men, but ultimately failed.
Anubis
Guide of the afterlife, associated with mummification, head of a jackal.
Osiris
God of the earth, dead, and vegetation, associated with agriculture, married to Isis, father of Horus.
Hathor
Protective Goddess, Goddess of love and joy, associated with fertility, represented with sun disk.
Horus
God of the sky and lord of heaven, head of falcon.
Isis
Mother Goddess, associated with female fertility and magic, protector of kids, married to Osiris, mother of Horus.
Ra
Sun God (most important), creator of humans, head of falcon, represented with sun disk.
Seth
God of the desert, associated with storms and disorder, head of donkey.
Thoth
God of writing and knowledge, head of ibis (bird thing).
How were the political systems and religious beliefs intertwined in Ancient Egypt? [3]
- Everything functions according to Ma-hat
- Pharaoh helping to preserve universe
- Gods dictate some political decisions
Why did the pharaoh’s build pyramids?
They were built as a funerary monument (house of the pharaoh’s body).
Who founded the city of Memphis?
Menes
Why was Menes significant?
He united Upper and Lower Egypt, and founded Memphis.
What were the three types of Egyptian burial? What was wrong with each method?
- Dessication (bodies naturally preserved by drying desert sands, often exposed to scavenging animals and/or shifting sands)
- Reed Coffins (trapped in moisture causing body to decay, provided some protection from exposure)
- Mummification (discovered complex method using natron and linen strips to wrap body, process would be used for next thousand years)
What was the purpose of mummification?
The Egyptians believed that after death their souls would travel to another world during the day and return to their bodies at night. If the spirit couldn’t recognize the body, it would die.
What six aspects made up the human body?
- Physical body
- Shadow
- Name
- ka (spirit)
- ba (personality)
- akh (immortality)
What was the book that aided Egyptians in the afterlife?
The Book of the Dead (Book of the Coming Forth by Day)
What one god did Akhenaton choose to honour?
Aton
What did the pyramids represent?
The sun coming through the clouds, the pharaoh’s divine rule (makes him a god in death)
Which element of the human body is not present at birth?
Ank (immortality)
Which pharaoh reversed monotheism?
Tutankhamen
What are the five characteristics of Egyptian art?
- Profile
- Colour (men darker, women lighter)
- Stance (all parts of body shown)
- Scale (bigger=more important, women and children crouching)
- Proportions (Hands/feet longer)
What are three technological advancements of the Egyptians?
- Beer
- Calendar
- Papyrus
Who was Champolion
An Egyptologist
