SS Lesson 9 Vocab/Study Guide Flashcards
Afterlife
An existence after death
Hieroglyph
A symbol used in hieroglyphics, a system of writing developed around 3000 B.C.E.
Neutral
Not taking sides or getting involved in disagreements
Noble
Of high birth or rank
Occupied
To take up or fill
Peasant
A person who does farm work
Rigid
Stiff; unable to bend
Role
A position based on socially expected behavior
Social class
A group in society that is ranked by factors such as wealth, property, and rights
Social pyramid
A pyramid outline showing the positions of social classes according to their status in society
Status
The position, or standing, of an individual compared to others in the same society
Supreme
The highest ruling level
Why are the social classes of ancient Egypt described by the shape of a pyramid rather than a cube?
Most people were in the bottom class and few people in the top class
Who built the giant temples of the Pharaohs?
Peasant farmers during the flooding season
What activities were men only allowed to do?
Scribes
How did most government officials get their jobs?
They inherited the position from family members
Describe the role of women in Religion
They were women priestesses which were equal to male priests
Name the most important duty of the vizier
Serve as a chief judge and decide court cases
What was found in the sanctuary of a temple?
Statues of a temple god
Why did Egyptians bury some bread and beer with their dead?
They believed that they needed it in the afterlife
What was one of the few ways that a boy from a peasant family could rise to a higher social class?
They could become a scribe
Why did it take many years to become a scribe?
They had to learn over 700 hieroglyphs
Skilled scribes write on papyrus which was made from ___________.
Papyrus plants
Name the social status from highest to lowest
Pharaoh, government official, priests, scribes, artisans, peasants
How does the work of ancient Egyptian artisans help us to learn today about life in ancient Egypt?
Covered and painted scenes of everyday life
In the life of a peasant, which season came next after the flooding season?
Planting season
Most peasants lived in ______.
Mud brick houses
In what form did many farmers pay their taxes?
Grain
