Midterm Exam Flashcards
Ancient Egypt, the Prehistoric Aegean, & the Ancient Near East
How have scholars defined the history of ancient Egypt? What does this say about society?
Scholars have defined the history of ancient Egypt by the dynasties that ruled the kingdom in antiquity. This not only reflects how society in ancient Egypt typically revolved around the pharaoh, but also our own fascination with the monuments and tombs that they left behind.
What are the significant qualities of the landscape of Egypt and the contributions of the Nile River?
The landscape of Egypt is defined by the Nile River, which flows from the south of Africa into the Mediterranean Sea. Ancient Egyptians recognized the fertile area around the Nile River as the ‘Black Land’ and the surrounding deserts as the ‘Red Land.’ The kingdom was also divided into Upper Egypt to the south and Lower Egypt to the north, including the lush Nile Delta.
What are stone palettes traditionally used for?
In ancient Egypt, stone palettes were traditionally used for grinding eye makeup.
Where was the Narmer Palette found and why do we think it was intended to be a votive offering, rather than an object of daily use?
The Narmer Palette (Predynastic Period, 3100-2920 BC) was discovered in a temple in Hierakonpolis. The findspot, large size, and elaborate of the palette suggest that this was a votive offering, rather than an object of daily use.
What do we know about ancient Egyptian belief in the afterlife and how is this documented by mortuary practices?
Ancient Egyptians believed that an individual had two aspects: the ka, or life-force, and the ba, or soul. Upon death, the ka would live in the individual’s tomb, and the ba would remain in the body. The ka could manifest itself in statues of the deceased, which would ideally receive offerings on a regular basis. On the other hand, mummification was necessary to provide the ba with a place to reside. These beliefs are preserved in the tombs, ka statues, funerary offerings, and mummies of ancient Egypt.
What is significant about the location of cemeteries and mortuary complexes to the west of the Nile River?
The location of cemeteries and mortuary complexes on the west side of the Nile River reflects the importance of solar activity in ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. Because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, Egyptians associated the west with death. As the pharaohs became increasingly tied to the sun god, Ra, they constructed elaborate mortuary complexes on this side of the river, making this part of the country even more desirable as a final resting place.
What are the primary buildings and spaces of the Step Pyramid?
The Step Pyramid complex of Djoser (Dynasty III, 2650 BC) includes a temple and serdab for the king’s ka, northern and southern houses, a Heb Sed Court, the T-temple, and a southern court and tomb, all surrounded by an enclosure door with several false entrances and one true entrance at the southeast corner. Some structures are ‘dummy’ buildings, while others were functional.
What is the importance and symbolism of the pyramid and pyramidion?
The pyramid and pyramidion were symbols of the sun god Ra and associated with the benben, a sacred mound located at the temple of the god in Heliopolis. According to ancient Egyptian cosmology, the benben was the first mound of earth to emerge from the primordial waters of Nun. The construction of the pharaoh’s tomb in this form was meant to associate him with both regeneration and the sun god.
Where was the seated statue of Khafre originally located, and how does this express his kingship and relationship to the gods?
The statue of Khafre enthroned (Dynasty IV, 2520 BC) was originally one of 23 statues located at the heart of his Valley Temple, east of his pyramid. Behind the statue’s head, the falcon Horus outstretches his wings in a protective gesture. The statue is designed to display Khafre as a king ordained and supported by the gods.
How does the Great Sphinx at Giza contribute to Khafre’s complex and the identity of the king?
The Great Sphinx at Giza (Dynasty IV, 2520 BC) is located next to Khafre’s Valley Temple, in front of his pyramid. The merging of the king’s face with the form of a sphinx is meant to communicate Khafre’s wisdom and power.
What is the purpose of a tomb in ancient Egypt? How do sculpture and painted decoration contribute to this purpose?
The purpose of a tomb in ancient Egypt was not only to provide a secure location for the deceased’s body, but also to provide a ‘house for eternity’ for their ka. Scenes of tomb owners engaged in leisure activities or craftsmen and farmers performing their duties support the themes of continuation and eternity that the Egyptians wished to experience in the afterlife. A ka statue of the deceased was also included to receive offerings on a regular basis.
Why is it important to represent the deceased, in images and writing? What happens if the writing and images are destroyed?
Ancient Egyptians believed that to represent someone or something in images or writing was to literally bring that person or thing into being. Thus, to create an image of the deceased or a text describing their continued happiness was to ensure their continued existence and prosperity in the afterlife. Consequently, destroying that image or text destroyed the deceased’s existence and prosperity.
What are some of the most common themes in Old Kingdom Egyptian tomb painting?
- Images of tomb owner
- Scenes of tomb owner fishing and hunting water birds
- Scenes of entertainment (dancing, singing, banqueting)
- Scenes of craftsmen at work in non-domestic contexts
- Scenes of outdoor activities such as farming
- Offerings made to the tomb owner
Where are the best-known New Kingdom cemeteries located? What is significant about their location and orientation?
The best-known New Kingdom cemeteries are located on the west bank of Nile in the city of Thebes. As usual, the cemeteries are located on the west bank of the Nile because the Egyptians associated the setting sun with death. However, the entrance to the tombs is now located on the east side, representing the shift from circumpolar to to solar significance first seen at Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex.
What are some of the characteristic qualities of the New Kingdom tombs, and how do they compare to the older design of the mastaba?
- T-shaped with wide hall at entrance at east, and central passage and shrine
- Transverse halls may have false doors at the end, decorated with images of tomb-owner’s professional and private life
- Corridor leading to the ‘beautiful west’ may have scenes of the funerary ceremonies, the ritual of the Opening of the Mouth, the Voyage to Abydos, Judgment of the Dead
- A niche or shrine, often decorated with scenes of the funeral and burial, the deceased before a table of offerings
- Burial chamber situated below the tomb chapel or shrine accessible only to the ba and ka
What was the purpose of New Kingdom temples to the gods known as ‘divine cult temples’?
Divine cult temples, or mansions of the gods, were designed to honor both the gods and the king, their main patron.
What are the main elements (buildings and spaces) found in a New Kingdom Temple?
- Temple: akhet, the radiant place, intersection of heaven, earth, and underworld
- Pylons: mountains of the eastern horizon, establish axial path of the sun
- Hypostyle Hall: primordial swamp, where the columns represent plants
- Sanctuary: place of first creation
- Enclosure wall and sacred lake: Nun (primeval waters)
What are some of the forms of sculptural decoration and royal dedications found in the temple?
- Ram-headed sphinxes
- Statues of the king
- Papyrus columns
- Relief sculptures of the king
- Obelisks
- Ka statue of the god
Where does the term ‘Minoan’ come from? Where is this prehistoric culture located?
The term ‘Minoan’ comes from Minos, a legendary king of Crete who ruled from a palace at Knossos that contained a labyrinth and minotaur, known as a lawgiver whose power was based upon his control over the seas (thalassocracy).
Name: central stele
Location: Under Djoser’s Pyramid
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Dynasty III (2650 BC)
Description: The king runs between the boundary markers of the kingdom (Heb-Sed Festival) wearing a kilt and the white crown of upper Egypt and holding a flail. On either side, anthropomorphized hieroglyphs (ankh and was-scepter) hold fans and a standard. Horus or Nebkhet in bird form bestows another hieroglyph (shen ring) on the king.
Name: sculpted relief decoration
Location: Valley Temple of Sneferu at Dashur
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Dynasty IV (2575-2551 BC)
Description: The Nomes of Upper Egypt are represented on the west wall, and the Nomes of Lower Egypt are represented on the east wall. Female figures representing the nomes provide food and offerings to the king. They carry food, drink, and ankh symbol (life) to provide sustenance to the king’s ka. Also contains a detail of King Sneferu embracing the lion goddess (Bastet?) and another god.
Name: Statue of Kai
Location: Tomb at Saqqara
Culture: Egyptian
Date: early Dynasty V
Description: Statue of a seated scribe made of painted limestone. Eyes are inlaid with white stone and rock crystal.
Name: painted banquet scene
Location: Tomb of Nakht, Thebes
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Dynasty XVIII, late in the reign of Tuthmosis or early in the reign of Amenophis
Description: Three richly-dressed women kneel before a nude girl, who offers them fruit (?). Three more women kneel before them, passing fruit behind them; the third woman smells a lotus flower. A blind, fat harpist plays in front of them. Below, three well-dressed men sit on stools, smelling lotus flowers. Before them are piles of food and offerings, and below these are three female musicians, two well-dressed and one nude.
Name: Expedition to Punt
Location: Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir el Bahri
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Dynasty XVIII (1490-1469 BC)
Description: The fleet arrives in Punt. Expedition is welcomed and gifts are exchanged. Ships are loaded with ‘tribute’. Expedition returns to Egypt. Hatshepsut presents gifts from Punt to Amun. Success of expedition announced at court. Note depiction of foreign ruler as obese.
Name: Flotilla Fresco
Location: South Wall, Room Five, West House, Akrotiri
Culture: Minoan
Date: Late Minoan IA (1600-1580/1480 BC)
Description: A fleet of ships accompanied by dolphins sails past an island with rocky landscape and several harbor towns. Possible representation of an inter-island ceremony. The ships appear to be of a ceremonial nature. Housing represents Minoan domestic architecture of the time.
Name: votive relief of Sumerian King Ur-Nanshe
Location: Telloh (modern Lagash), Sumer
Culture: Sumerian
Date: 2500 BC
Description: Ur-Nanshe was the founder of a dynasty of kings who ruled Lagash, a region in Sumeria. The king is shown presiding over the ceremonies of the foundation and inauguration of a shrine. In between the figures is a form of writing, called cuneiform; the language is Sumerian.
Name: Statue of King Gudea
Location: Temple of Ningirsu, Girsu
Culture: Lagash
Date: 2150-2125 BC
Description: Diorite statue of the seated King Gudea holding a plan of the temple in his lap.
Name: Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III
Location: Nimrud
Culture: Neo-Assyrian
Date: 825 BC
Description: Black limestone obelisk, 6’6” tall. Obelisk has a square base and four sides that narrow toward the top, which has a stepped shape. The writing at the top lists the military campaigns of the king and his commander-in-chief for the preceeding 31 years. Tribute is brought before the king by the rulers of conquered lands, with five registers and panels on four sides showing the procession of tribute bearers and the interaction between king and the conquered rulers, including Sua of Gilzanu, Jehu of Bit Omri, unnamed ruler of Musri, Marduk-apil-usur of Suhi, and Qalparunda of Patina. In the second register, four panels show the Assyrian king as he receives tribute from Jehu, King of Israel.
Name: relief sculpture of King Assurnasirpal riding into battle on a chariot
Location: Throne Room, Palace at Nimrud
Culture: Neo-Assyrian
Date: 884-612 BC
Description: One of several sculptural panels in the throne room of Assurnasirpal’s palace at Nimrud. The king is shown in a chariot riding into battle. To the right, a city is under siege.
Name: painting of Rekhmire receiving goods from throughout Egypt and from foreign tributaries
Location: Tomb of Rekhmire, Thebes
Date: Dynasty 18, 1440 BC
Description: Top register contains tribute from Punt. Second register contains tribute from the Keftiu (Minoans), carrying large vessels and wearing a distinctive kilt. Third register contains people of the south (Nubia and Sudan). Fourth register contains Syrians.
Name: Procession Fresco
Location: South Propylon, Palace of Knossos, Crete
Date: Neopalatial Period, 1700-1450/1375 BC
Description: Figures approach a Minoan priestess (?) with flounced, open-bodiced garment and headdress. Male figures to the left and right appear to regard her with a respectful gesture. Far right: two males in kilts carry rhyta towards the priestess. Left: four males in kilts carry shorter vessels. Far left: a group of males and females wearing robes walk towards her, possibly with instruments.
Name: Stele of Ur-Nammu
Location: courtyard by the hall of justice at Ur
Date: 2120 BC
Description: At the top, the crescent moon (Nannar) and star (Ishtar) symbolize gods of Sumer and Akkad. Ur-Nammu approaches the moon god Nannar (city god of Ur). Second register: Ur-Nammu offers libations to Nannar and Ningal. He uses a vase to pour liquid on palms and a date tree in a tall vase. Nannar sits on a throne, receiving the offering. Third register: construction of the temple. Nannar, Ur-Nammu, and a worker prepare to build the temple. Fourth register: Construction of the temple.
Name: relief sculpture from the throne room of Nimrud
Location: Throne Room of Assurnasirpal, Nimrud
Date: 884-859 BC
Description: On either side of the sacred tree, an image of the king gestures towards a sacred tree crowned by an image of Assur. Flanking the king are depictions of apkallu or genii. The king wears the conical hat asymmetrical robe, and daggers along with a mace, all symbolic of his office.
