Power Point 3 Slides--Egypt Flashcards
What dates do we usually associate with the ancient Egyptian civilization?
3100–1200 B.C.E.
How did geography enable the Egyptians easily to form a prosperous society?
Nile River and its predictable floods allows Egyptians to count on agricultural surpluses which leads to the development of a stable and complex culture.
How do the Egyptians compare in religious, cultural and political outlook relative to the Mesopotamians?
The predictable and stable geography of Egypt led to a more stable culture with a more optimistic and confident outlook. Egypt’s political system, religious views, and culture, endured for thousands of years without too many periods of disruption. For example, their religion believed that the afterworld was just a continuation of life on earth.
The Mesopotamian culture was influenced by its less predictable environment and therefore had a more chaotic political system with unity only coming occasionally when a strong man would take over. It also had a more pessimistic outlook towards the gods and the afterlife, which was seen as dark place of unhappiness.
Your professor showed a satellite photo of Egypt. On it you can see a narrow band of green surrounded by desert. What impact would geography like that have on a society?
Because there was a narrow band of fertile land, it forced the Egyptian population to live in a more compact area. This led to more political and economic control of the population.
Why did the Greek historian Herodotus say that Egypt was “The Gift of the Nile”?
He meant that we cannot understand Egyptian society without understanding the power of the Nile River. It is the heartbeat of the Egyptians.
What does the “trustworthiness” of the Nile mean?
The Nile flooded on a predictable schedule and was gentle, not violent. Egyptians could count on it to provide for them.
What does it mean to say the Egyptians were “xenophobic”.
Egyptians did not like to mix with outsiders and mistrusted foreigners. They were isolated geographically, which enabled them to develop their culture in a more stable environment.
Who was the first Pharoah, who unified Egypt in 3100 BCE?
Menes
Who was the first Pharaoh, who unified Egypt in 3100 BCE?
Menes
Which city was the capital of Egypt?
Memphis
What does the word PHARAOH mean in Egyptian?
Great House
What was the role of the PHARAOH in Egypt?
He was in control of the resources and the people and he was to act as an intermediary between the gods and the people. He controls the rise and fall of the Nile river.
How did Menes come to be the first pharaoh?
He built a great dam that controlled a flood that was going to destroy the city of Memphis. This started the MYTH of the PHARAOH.
Who was the central Egyptian god?
Over time the god Amon (sky god) and Ra (sun god) were combined into Amon-Ra. Both anthropomorphic (like man) and zoomorphic (head of falcon).
What was the ankh?
The cross of life–often carried by the Egyptian gods.
