Early Dynastic to New Kingdom Egypt

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Questions and Answers

When was Memphis founded and what did it become?

Memphis was founded during the Archaic Period and became the political and cultural center of Egypt

What were achievements of the Old Kingdom?

Advancements in art & pyramids built

Efficient tax collection & improved irrigation systems

Hieroglyphics & trade for raw materials

All of the above (correct)

What did Mentuhotep II (of the 11th dynasty) do?

Mentuhotep II helped defeat the 10th dynasty and REUNIFIED Egypt to find the Middle Kingdom

What became the capital of Egypt during the time of the Middle Kingdom?

Thebes Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the King loses his power during the time of the Middle Kingdom in Egypt?

The Hyksos invade and conquer Egypt Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Hyksos

Semitic people from South Western Asia. They were "foreign rulers" Signup and view all the answers

What did the Hyksos use and bring to Egypt?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What is Ba'al and where did it come from?

Ba'al is "owner" or "lord" and it comes from the Hyksos Signup and view all the answers

Who is Prince Ahmose and what time period is he from?

The ruler who restored Egypt again which led to The New Kingdom in Egypt Signup and view all the answers

What did Prince Ahmose do that was most important?

He drove the Hyksos from Egypt by using their horse drawn chariot technology Signup and view all the answers

What is a "Pharaoh" and what do they do?

A king or ruler, and all of Egypt was considered "his house" (bc he ruled it) Signup and view all the answers

Who was Queen Hatshepsut and what Kingdom in Egypt is she from?

From: The New Kingdom, she became Pharaoh and wore a fake beard, and many hieroglyphics describe her as a male. Her son had her killed and then tried to destroy all records that she existed. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Akhenaten and what kingdom in Egypt is she from?

From: The New Kingdom, replaced Egyptian Gods with monotheism, originally called Amenhotep IV, but changed his name to honor his god ("living spirit of Aten") Signup and view all the answers

Who was King Tut?

King Tut: son of Akhenaten, known as the "boy pharaoh" because he started ruling at age 9 died at 18, tried to restore the old ways of Egypt after Akhenaten, Became famous after 1922 because of the discovery of his tomb Signup and view all the answers

What was King Tut's curse?

responsible for the deaths of almost two dozen people involved with the discovery of his tomb Signup and view all the answers

Who was Ramses II

known as "Keeper of Harmony and Balance", most powerful ruler of the New Kingdom, ruled for 67 yrs and died at 96 Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Valley of the Kings? Why is it significant?

Where: located on the West Bank of the Nile, near Thebes, Significance: Many tombs for the pharaohs are there Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the pyramids and where did it come from?

Role: burial chambers for Pharaohs, and tallest buildings in the world until 19th century, Came from: Early architecture from the Old Kingdom Signup and view all the answers

What is the Rosetta Stone? Who discovered it and When?

The key to understanding ancient hieroglyphics, discovered in 1799 by the Napoleon's army, now is with the British Signup and view all the answers

What is Hieroglyphics?

"Sacred Writings", type: Demotic was the popular standard type of writing (everyday usage) Signup and view all the answers

What are key facts of the kingdom of Kush?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

Who started the mummification of the dead?

Ancient Nubian religion Signup and view all the answers

What is a theocrat and where was it used?

A theocrat is one who holds both religious and political power, was used during the old kingdom and each ruler was a theocrat Signup and view all the answers

What is the Apedemak god? Where did it originate?

lion headed warrior god, originates with Nubians Signup and view all the answers

Whats the "hat" (symbol) for all of Egypt?

The pschent Signup and view all the answers

Who unified the Egyptian Kingdom?

Menes Signup and view all the answers

Who created the Kingdom of Kush and when did it stop thriving?

Was created by the Nubians civilization prior to Egypt, thrived until 150 CE and then got pushed out by the Assyrians Signup and view all the answers

Whats the hat for lower Egypt?

The deshret Signup and view all the answers

What is the Sahel and where is it?

The Sahel is the semi-dry transitional region between the Sahara and the Savannas Signup and view all the answers

What are the "Gifts" of the Nile?

Predictable floods every year, sets the pattern for each agricultural year, Like a clock and it regulates the lives of Egyptians and Nubians Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Dynastic Egypt

Memphis founded during the Archaic Period, becoming Egypt's political and cultural center.
Old Kingdom achievements included advancements in art, pyramid construction, efficient tax systems, improved irrigation, hieroglyphics, and trade.

Middle Kingdom

Mentuhotep II re-unified Egypt, ending a period of division.
Thebes became the capital during the Middle Kingdom.
Hyksos, Semitic people from Southwest Asia, invaded and conquered Egypt during a period of weakened royal power.
Hyksos introduced chariots and bronze tools to Egypt, potentially bringing horses.
The word "Ba'al," meaning "owner" or "lord," originated with the Hyksos.

New Kingdom

Ahmose drove the Hyksos out of Egypt, using their chariot technology.
"Pharaoh" was the title of the Egyptian king, who ruled the entire country.
Queen Hatshepsut became Pharaoh, a female ruler, and faced attempts to erase her legacy after her death.
Akhenaten, previously Amenhotep IV, introduced monotheism, worshiping Aten.
King Tutankhamun, son of Akhenaten, restored traditional Egyptian religious practices and became famous after the discovery of his tomb in 1922. A purported "curse" was associated with tomb findings.
Ramses II was a powerful New Kingdom ruler, holding the position for 67 years.
The Valley of the Kings and Queens contained tombs for important Egyptian rulers, near Thebes.
Pyramids were burial chambers for pharaohs, constructed in the Old Kingdom; they were the world's tallest structures until the 19th century.

Language and Discovery

Hieroglyphics, "sacred writings," were important to understanding Egypt, with Demotic being a common form.
The Rosetta Stone, a stone discovered by Napoleon's troops in 1799, deciphered hieroglyphics.

Nubia

The Nubian kingdom of Kush was an iron-producing civilization, and had female rulers.
Nubians started the practice of mummification.
The Apedemak was a lion-headed warrior god of the Nubians.
The pschent was the symbolic hat for all of Egypt.
Both upper and lower Egypt had separate hats, the hedjet and the deshret respectively.

Other Key Concepts

Menes unified the Egyptian kingdom.
The kingdom of Kush, created by the Nubians, thrived until being pushed out by the Assyrians around 150 CE.
The Sahel is a semi-arid region between the Sahara and the savannas.
The Nile and its predictable floods ("Gifts of the Nile") significantly influenced Egyptian and Nubian life.
The theocrat was a ruler of both religious and political power, which characterized the Old Kingdom

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Description

Test your knowledge on the significant periods of Ancient Egypt, from the Early Dynastic era through to the New Kingdom. Explore the political, cultural, and technological advancements during this fascinating historical timeline, including key figures like Queen Hatshepsut and Ahmose.