grade_5_history_20161009141159 Flashcards
What happened to Egypt around 6000 year ago?
The climate changed it into a huge desert.
What covers most of Egypt?
The Sahara Desert
What happens to the Nile during the rainy season?
Many tributaries flow into it so it swells and floods
What does the Nile get from the mountains of East Africa
Fertile Soil
Why do the Egyptian farmers choose to plant their crops in the Nile flood plain?
Because the flooding of the Nile leaves behind fertile soil
What was the main way that Egyptian people earned their living?
Farming
Name the 7 ways the Egyptians used the Nile
- Irrigation2. Drinking water3. Fishing4. Transport5. Papyrus for paper6. Mud for bricks7. Hunting of hippos and birds for food
What was one of the good things about the desert?
It protected them because it was difficult for other people to attack them or live nearby.
How did the Nile protect the Egyptians?
The rapids prevented people from sailing up the river to attack them.
What type of society was Ancient Egypt?
It was a hierarchical society
What does hierarchical mean?
It means that people were not equal and did not have the same amount of power and resources
Who was the most important person?
The pharaoh
What was the most senior official called?
The Visier
For what was he responsible?
For the Pharaoh’s finances
Name some of the activities the Visier was responsible for?
- Collecting taxes2. Government activities like Construction
Name two aspects of Egyptian life that were very important?
- Religion2. Defence
From the top down, list how the hierarchical society was organised - clue : start with Pharaoh end with Slaves : there are 11 levels
- Pharaoh2. Government Officials3. Priests4. Army Commanders5. Nobles6. Scribes7. Craftsmen8. Traders9. Wealthy Farmers10. Peasant Farmers11. Slaves
How many gods did the Egyptians believe in?
2000 gods
What do you call it when people believe in many different gods?
polytheism
What did the Egyptian believe about the gods?
That they controlled everything on earth
What did they believe would happen if they angered the gods?
That the gods would punish them
What type of punishment did the people think the gods would bring on them?
DeathIllnessStarvationDrought
Who was the most well-known god an describe what this god looked like?
Ra : sun godHuman with a falcon’s headThe head had a crown of sun with a cobra around it
In your own words describe what Ra symbolised
Ra brings day and nightRa sales across the skyAt sunset Ra diedSailed through the night in the Underworld (where people died)Ra left the moon to provide light for the world aboveThen his boat had to sail through 12 doorsThe doors represented the 12 hours of the nightAfter sailing through these doors, Ra was born again and th sun rose
What did they believe happened when they died?
That they went to the afterlife
When did they start burial sites for their dead pharaohs?
Around 3000 years ago
Name the special place where the pharaohs were buried?
The Valley of the Kings
Why do you think that the political system in Egypt did not change much in those days?
Because the people had a strong belief in their gods and in the pharaoh and they would never disagree with him
How were the laws made?
What the pharaoh said is what the law became
Why did the people give so much power to the pharaohs?
Because they thought he could speak to the godsBecause they thought he was a god
How was the pharaoh chosen?
He was always the eldest son of the previous pharaoh
What were two roles that the pharaoh fulfilled?
He was the chief priest He was the head of the army
What did the Egyptians believe about land ownership?
All the land, people and possessions belonged to the pharaoh
What did the people believe would happen to the pharaoh after he died?
That he would become a god
How were they buried
Inside tombs in pyramidsWith many treasures to enjoy in the afterlife
What is another word for the Nile in Egypt?
Lifeblood
How long is the Nile River?
6700km
The Nile is made up of two parts, what are they?
- The Blue Nile2. The White Nile
Where does the White Nile have its source?
Near Lake Victoria
Where does the Blue Nile have its source?
In the Ethiopian Highlands
Where is the mouth of the Nile?
The Mediterranean Sea
List the 8 ways the Nile is used by the Egyptians
- Hunting2. Water3. Fishing4. Transport5. Irrigation6. Papyrs7. Building Materials8. Hunting
What happens to the Nile between June & Sept?
It Floods
When are the crops sewn along the Nile?
October to November
When in the harvest?
January
What happens in February?
It is the second sewing
What happens from March to April?
Growing Season
When is the second harvest?
May
What is the soil called that is brought during the floods and is good fertilizer?
Silt
What caused the end of the annual flooding cycle?
The building of the High Dam at Aswan
When was the dam completed?
1970
Give 4 facts about life as a farmer.
- Worked the fields2. They did not own land3. They worked for the pharaoh & nobles4. They were given food and clothing & a place to live
Give 7 facts about the Pharaoh
- Ruler of Egypt2. Was very powerful3. Was considered to be the god on Earth4. Owned all the land5. Made the laws6. Collected taxes7. Defended Egypt from invaders
Give 3 facts about being an Egyptian soldier
- Were responsible for defending the country2. Shared int he riches captured during the war3. Given land as reward for service to Egypt
Give 3 facts about slaves
- Were not bought or sold at markets2. Were captured during wars3. Worked in households, quarries, mines and temples
Give 3 facts about scribes
- Were the only people who could read and right2. Kept records of how much food was produced3. Kept records of how many soldiers & workers
Give facts about Visiers
- Were the Pharaohs advisors2. Were responsible for the administration of Egypt3. Saw that the Pharaoh’s wishes were carried out.
Give facts about priests
- Did not preach2. They were responsible for keeping the gods happy3. They performed rituals and ceremonies in the temples
Give 4 facts about life as a farmer.
- Worked the fields2. They did not own land3. They worked for the pharaoh & nobles4. They were given food and clothing & a place to live
How long ago did Egyptians use hieroglyphics?
5000 years ago
What made it possible for the archeologists to understand hieroglyphics?
About 200 years ago, they found a special stone on which a story had been written in 3 languages.One of these was hieroglyphics.
What did they name the stone that was the key to unlocking the mystery of hieroglyphics?
The Rosetta Stone