Eygpt Flashcards
Q: When did the civilization of Egypt emerge?
A: Around 2649 BC during the Old Kingdom, along the banks of the Nile River.
Q: What are the three major eras of Ancient Egyptian civilization?
A: Old Kingdom (2649 - 2152 BC), Middle Kingdom (2040 – 1640 BC), New Kingdom (1550 – 1070 BC).
Q: What characterized the Old Kingdom of Egypt?
A: It lasted from 2575 BC to 2150 BC and featured a strong central government, a prosperous economy, and the construction of the pyramids.
Q: What was significant about the Middle Kingdom?
A: It lasted from 1975 BC to 1640 BC, during which all of Egypt was united under a single government and Pharaoh.
Q: What were the defining features of the New Kingdom?
A: Lasted from 2040-1782 BC, marked by increased literacy, more correspondence, and expansion beyond former borders.
Q: What is Demotic?
A: A script derived from northern forms of hieratic used in the Delta; it’s capitalized to distinguish it from demotic Greek.
Q: What is Coptic?
A: The last phase of ancient Egyptian language, slightly modified from the Greek alphabet, and a direct descendant of the ancient Egyptian scripts.
Q: What are hieroglyphs?
A: One of the writing systems used by ancient Egyptians, referred to as “Holy Writing,” derived from Greek words meaning “holy” and “writing.”
Q: How did ancient Egyptians contribute to mathematics?
A: They developed a base 10 numbering system through finger counting and utilized geometry and arithmetic for practical purposes like trading and construction.
Q: What is the Rhind Papyrus?
A: An early mathematical text that includes instructions for multiplication and uses blocks of counters as a multiplication reference table.
Q: How did the ancient Egyptians measure time?
A: They used obelisks as sundials to track the sun’s movement and differentiate between morning, afternoon, and night.
Q: What is the significance of locks in ancient Egypt?
A: Ancient Egyptian locks were complex and used in royal structures, consisting of pins, bolts, and keys, a design still seen today.
Q: What role did ox-drawn plows play in ancient Egyptian agriculture?
A: They revolutionized agriculture by using oxen to pull the plow, influencing farming methods still used in developing countries today.
Q: What is theorized about the Herodotus machine?
A: It is believed to be the machine used by ancient Egyptians to build the Pyramids.
Q: What was the aeolipile?
A: An early steam engine used to automate the opening of temple doors by creating steam pressure.
