MS-HSS-AC-Unit 2 - Chapter 4 - Ancient Egypt PDF
MS-HSS-AC-Unit 2 - Chapter 4 - Ancient Egypt PDF
MS-HSS-AC-Unit 2 - Chapter 4 - Ancient Egypt PDF
History-Social Science
6.2 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic,
religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of
Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Kush.
Analysis Skills
HR 4 Assess the credibility of primary and secondary sources.
English-Language Arts
Writing 6.2.2c Follow an organizational pattern appropriate to the
type of content.
Reading 6.2.6 Determine the adequacy and appropriateness of
the evidence for an author's conclusions.
WORLD . c. 4500 BC
EVENTS People in
Europe begin
using copper
tools.
2500s BC
Menes unites Egyptians
Upper and Lower build the
Egypt, establishing Great Pyramid
the first dynasty. of Khufu at Giza.
c. 1200 BC c. 1027 BC
Sumerians The Olmec The Zhou dynasty
create the form the begins in China.
world's first first urban
civilization in
the Americas.
ANCIENT EGYPT 85
Focus on Themes In this chapter you will read ancient Egyptians' religious beliefs and learn how
about the development of the fascinating civilization those beliefs shaped everything from their daily lives
of Egypt. You will learn how the Nile River, nearby to the art they created. Of course, you will also read
deserts, and other geographic features shaped about the pyramids, mummies, and pharaohs that
early Egyptian society. You will learn about the made Egypt famous.
,.
Burial Practices
The Egyptians developed a method
called embalming to preserve bodies
and keep them from decaying. The
Egyptians preserved bodies as mum- ~ The Egyptians preserved dead
mies, specially treated bodies wrapped bodies as mummies.
in cloth. Embalming preserves a dead
body for many, many years. A body
Only mummies could survive for
that was not embalmed would decay ~ thousands of years in tombs.
1
86 CHAPTER 4
Chapter 4
You Try It!
Section 1
The following passage is from the chapter you are getting ready to cataracts (p. 89)
read. As you read the passage, look for the facts about pyramids. delta (p. 89)
Menes (p. 91)
The Pyramids pharaoh {p. 91)
dynasty (p. 91)
The Egyptians believed that burial From
sites, especially royal tombs, were very Chapter 4 Section 2
important. As a result, they built spec- p. 98 Old Kingdom {p. 93)
tacular monuments in which to bury Khufu {p. 94)
their rulers. The most spectacular of all nobles (p. 94)
were the pyramids-huge, stone tombs afterlife (p. 96)
with four triangle-shaped sides that mummies (p. 96)
met in a point on top. elite (p. 97)
The Egyptians first built pyramids pyramids (p. 98)
during the Old Kingdom. Some of the engineering (p. 98)
largest pyramids ever constructed were Section 3
built during this time. Many of these Middle Kingdom (p. 102)
huge pyramids are still standing. The New Kingdom {p. 102)
largest is the Great Pyramid of Khufu trade routes {p. 102)
near the town of Giza. It covers more Queen Hatshepsut {p. 103)
than 13 acres at its base and stands Ramses the Great (p. 103)
481 feet high. This single pyramid took
Section 4
thousands of workers and more than
hieroglyphics (p. 108)
2 million limestone blocks to build.
papyrus (p. 108)
Rosetta Stone (p. 709)
sphinxes (p. 110)
After you have finished the passage, answer the questions below, obelisk (p. 110)
drawing conclusions about what you have read. King Tutankhamen (p. 113)
1. Based on their function, do you think pyramids were hollow or
Academic Vocabulary
solid inside? Why?
Success in school is related to
knowing academic vocabulary-
2. Considering why the Egyptians built the pyramids, who do you the words that are frequently used
think Khufu was? What makes you think this? in school assignments and discus-
sions. In this chapter, you will learn
3. Do you think pyramids were first built early in Egypt's history, or the following academic words:
late? Why? acquire (p. 94)
method (p. 96)
4. Think about pictures of the
As you read Chapter 4, think about what contracts (p. 106)
pyramids you have seen.
you already know about Egypt and draw
What do you think the conclusions to fill gaps in what you are
landscape near Giza is like? reading.
ANCIENT EGYPT 87
If YOU were there ...
Main Ideas Your family farms in the Nile Valley. Each year when the river's
1. Egypt was called the "gift of floodwaters spread rich soil on the land, you help your father plant
the Nile" because the Nile
River was so important. barley. When you are not in the f1elds, you spin f1ne linen thread
2. Civilization developed after from flax you have grown. Sometimes you and your friends hunt
people began farming along
the Nile. birds in the tall grasses along the river banks.
3. Strong kings unified all of
Egypt. Why do you like living in the Nile Valley?
~.-
88 CHAPTER 4
As you can see on the map, the Nile
flowed through rocky, hilly land south
of Egypt. At several points, this rough
terrain caused cataracts, or rapids, to form.
The first cataract, located 720 miles south
of the Mediterranean Sea, marked the
southern border of Upper Egypt. Five more
cataracts lay farther south. These cataracts
made sailing on that portion of the Nile
very difficult.
In Lower Egypt, the Nile divided into
several branches that fanned out and
flowed into the Mediterranean Sea. These
branches formed a delta, a triangle-shaped
area of land made from soil deposited by a
river. In ancient times, swamps and marsh-
es covered much of the Nile Delta. Some
two-thirds of Egypt's fertile farmland was
located in the Nile Delta.
ANCIENT EGYPT 91
The pharaoh
Menes combined
the white crown of
Upper Egypt and
the red crown of
Lower Egypt as a
symbol of his rule
of Egypt as one
kingdom.
Section 1 Assessment
Reviewing Ideas, Terms, and People lim 6.2.1, Critical Thinking
6.2.2 4. Comparing and Contrasting Draw a diagram like
1. a. Identify Where was Lower Egypt
located? the one here. Use it to show the differences and
b. Analyze Why was the Nile Delta well suited for similarities between the
settlement? Nile River in Egypt
c. Predict How might the Nile's cataracts have and the Tigris and
both helped and hurt Egypt? Euphrates rivers
2. a. Describe What foods did the Egyptians eat? in Mesopotamia.
b. Analyze What role did the Nile play in supply-
ing Egyptians with the foods they ate?
c. Elaborate How did the desert on both sides of 5. Thinking about Geography and Early History
the Nile help ancient Egypt? In this section you read about Egypt's geography
3. a. Identify Who was the first pharaoh of Egypt? and early history. What could you put in your
b. Draw Conclusions Why did the pharaohs of the riddle about the geography and historical events
First Dynasty wear a double crown? that would be a clue to the answer?
92 CHAPTER 4
If YOU were there ...
You are a farmer in ancient Egypt. To you, the pharaoh is the
god Horus as well as your ruler. You depend on his strength and
wisdom. For part of the year, you are busy planting crops in your
Main Ideas
f1elds. But at other times of the year, you work for the pharaoh. 1. Life in the Old Kingdom was
You are helping to build a great tomb so that your pharaoh will be influenced by pharaohs, roles
in society, and trade.
comfortable in the afterlife. 2. Religion shaped Egyptian life.
3. The pyramids were built as
How do you feel about working for the pharaoh? huge tombs for Egyptian
pharaohs.
t
The Big Idea
r?~~~~~~i~iBACKGRO~N~ As in other ancient cultures, Egyptian ~ Egyptian government and
society was based on a strict order of social classes. A small group religion were closely connected
of royalty and nobles ruled Egypt. They depended on the rest of the during the Old Kingdom.
population to supply food, crafts, and labor. Few people questioned
j
1
Early Pharaohs
The OTCI Kingdom was a period in Egyptian history that lasted
for about 500 years, from about 2700 to 2200 BC. During this
time, the Egyptians continued to develop their political system.
The system they developed was based on the belief that the pha-
raoh, the ruler of Egypt, was both a king and a god.
The ancient Egyptians believed that Egypt belonged to the
gods. They believed that the pharaoh had come to earth in order
to manage Egypt for the rest of the gods. As a result, he had
~
absolute power over all land and people in Egypt.
But the pharaoh's status as both king and god came with
many responsibilities. People blamed him if crops did not grow lim 6.2.3 Understand the relation-
ship between religion and the social
well or if disease struck. They also demanded that the pharaoh and political order in Mesopotamia
make trade profitable and prevent wars. and Egypt.
ANCIENT EGYPT 93
Pharaoh
The pharaoh ruled
Egypt as a god.
Nobles
Officials and priests helped run
the government and temples.
Farmers, Servants,
and Slaves
Most Egyptians were farmers,
servants, or slaves.
The most famous pharaoh of the Old Next in society was the middle class.
Kingdom was Khufu (KOO-foo), who ruled It included lesser government officials,
in the 2500s BC. Even though he is famous, scribes, and a few rich craftspeople.
we know relatively little about Khufu's life. The people in Egypt's lower class, more
Egyptian legend says that he was cruel, than 80 percent of the population, were
but historical records tell us that the people mostly farmers. During flood season, when
who worked for him were well fed. Khufu they could not work in the fields, farmers
is best known for the monuments that worked on the pharaoh's building projects.
were built to him. Servants and slaves also worked hard.
As society developed during the Old
Society and Trade Kingdom, Egypt traded with some of its
ACADEMIC By the end of the Old Kingdom, Egypt had neighbors. Traders traveled south along
VOCABULARY about 2 million people. As the population the Nile to Nubia to acquire gold, copper,
acquire (uh-KWYR)
to get
grew, social classes appeared. The Egyptians ivory, slaves, and stone for building. Trade
believed that a well-ordered society would with Syria provided Egypt with wood for
keep their kingdom strong. building and for fire.
At the top of Egyptian society was the Egyptian society grew more complex
pharaoh. Just below him were the upper during this time. It continued to be orga-
classes, which included priests and key nized, disciplined, and highly religious.
government officials. Many of these priests
and officials were nobles, or people from ••J7ii:..'H"'''lcl• Generalizing How was
rich and powerful families. society structured in the Old Kingdom?
94 CHAPTER 4
Religion and Egyptian Life Over time, certain cities became centers
for the worship of certain gods. In the city
Worshipping the gods was a part of daily
of Memphis, for example, people prayed to
life in Egypt. But the Egyptian focus on
Ptah, the creator of the world.
religion extended beyond people's lives.
The Egyptians worshipped many gods
t Many customs focused on what happened
besides Ptah. They had gods for nearly
after people died.
everything, including the sun, the sky, and
The Gods of Egypt the earth. Many gods mixed human and
The Egyptians practiced polytheism. Before animal forms. For example, Anubis, the
the First Dynasty, each village worshipped god of the dead, had a human body but a
its own gods. During the Old Kingdom, jackal's head. Other major gods included
however, Egyptian officials expected every-
• Re, or Amon-Re, the sun god
one to worship the same gods, though
• Osiris, the god of the underworld
how they worshipped the gods might dif-
• Isis, the goddess of magic
fer from place to place. • Horus, a sky god, god of the pharaohs
The Egyptians built temples to the gods
• Thoth, the god of wisdom
all over the kingdom. Temples collected
• Geb, the earth god
payments from both worshippers and the
government. These payments allowed the Egyptian families also worshipped house-
temples to grow more influential. hold gods at shrines in their homes.
96 CHAPTER 4
1he body's
orpnswere
preserved in
special jan
and kept
next to the
mummy.
ANCIENT EGYPT 97
The Pyramids built during this time. Many of these huge
The Egyptians believed that burial sites, pyramids are still standing. The largest is
especially royal tombs, were very impor- the Great Pyramid of Khufu near the town
tant. As a result, they built spectacular mon- of Giza. It covers more than 13 acres at its
uments in which to bury their rulers. The base and stands 481 feet high. This single ~
most spectacular of all were the pyramids- pyramid took thousands of workers and
huge, stone tombs with four triangle- more than 2 million limestone blocks to
shaped sides that met in a point on top. build. Like all the pyramids, it is an amaz-
The Egyptians first built pyramids ing reminder of Egyptian engineering,
during the Old Kingdom. Some of the the application of scientific knowledge for
largest pyramids ever constructed were practical purposes.
History Close-up
/
Wages for working on construction proj- the pharaohs' tombs. Together, these spells
ects, however, were paid in goods such as and hymns are called Pyramid Texts. The
grain instead of money. first such text, addressed to Re, was carved
For years, scholars have debated how into the pyramid of King Unas (oo-nuhs),
the Egyptians moved the massive stones a pharaoh of the Old Kingdom:
used to build the pyramids. Some believe 11 Re, this Unas comes to you,
that during the Nile's flooding, builders A spirit indestructible ...
floated the stones downstream directly Your son comes to you, this Unas ...
to the construction site. Most historians May you cross the sky united in the dark,
believe that workers used brick ramps and May you rise in lightland, [where] you shine! 11
strong sleds to drag the stones up the pyra- -from Pyramid Text, Utterance 217
mid once they reached the site. The builders of Unas's pyramid wanted the
god to look after their leader's spirit. Even
Significance of the Pyramids after death, their pharaoh was important
Burial in a pyramid demonstrated a pha- to them.
raoh's importance. The size and shape
of the pyramid were symbolic. Pointing li~!rl'H~UI!iluit Identifying Points of View
to the skies, the pyramid symbolized the Why were pyramids important to the ancient
pharaoh's journey to the afterlife. The Egyptians?
Egyptians wanted the pyramids to be spec-
tacular because they believed that the pha-
raoh, as their link to the gods, controlled SUI111ARY AND PREVIEW During the
everyone's afterlife. Making the pharaoh's Old Kingdom, new political and social
spirit happy was a way of ensuring one's orders were created in Egypt. Religion
own happy afterlife. was important, and many pyramids were
To ensure that pharaohs remained safe built for the pharaohs. In Section 3 you
after their deaths, the Egyptians some- will learn about life in later periods, the
times wrote magical spells and hymns on Middle and New Kingdoms.
100 CHAPTER 4
If YOU were there ...
You are a servant to Hatshepsut, the ruler of Egypt. You admire Main Ideas
her, but some people think a woman should not rule. She calls 1. The Middle Kingdom was a
period of stable government
herself king and dresses like a pharaoh-even wearing a fake between periods of disorder.
beard. That was your idea! But you want to help more. 2. The New Kingdom was the
peak of Egyptian trade and
What could Hatshepsut do to show her authority? military power, but their
greatness did not last.
3. Work and daily life were dif-
ferent among Egypt's social
classes.
~'1;--.,i<E~Jjf.;.,·"'"'""':
~
~f
BUILDING BACKGROUND The power of the pharaohs expanded
during the Old Kingdom. Society was orderly, based on great differ- The Big Idea
ences between social classes. But rulers and dynasties changed, During the Middle and New
and Egypt changed with them. In time, these changes led to new Kingdoms, order and greatness
eras in Egyptian history, eras called the Middle and New Kingdoms. were restored in Egypt.
~
'
r
This proved to be a wise decision because
the Tehenu invaded again a century later.
Faced with Egypt's strengthened defenses,
the Tehenu were defeated once again. Egypt survived, but its empire in Asia
Soon after Ramses the Great died, was gone. Shortly after the invasions of
invaders called the Sea Peoples sailed into the Hittites and the Sea Peoples, the New
Southwest Asia. Little is known about Kingdom came to an end. Egypt fell into
these people. Historians are not even sure a period of violence and disorder. Egypt
who they were. All we know is that they would never regain its power.
were strong warriors who had crushed the
Hittites and destroyed cities in Southwest Identifying Cause and Effect
Asia. Only after SO years of fighting were What caused the growth of trade in the New
the Egyptians able to turn them back. Kingdom?
Servants worked
for Egypfs rulers
and nobles and
did many jobs, like
preparing food.
Section 3 Assessment
Reviewing Ideas, Terms, and People lim 6.2.6, Critical Thinking
1. a. Define What was the Middle Kingdom? 6·2·7 4. Categorizing Draw a diagram~
b. Analyze How did Ahmose manage to become like this one. Use it to identify .
k.mg of aII Egypt!"' two factors .m t he nse
. an d Rise Fa 11
2. a. Identify For what is Ramses the Great best fall of Egypt's empire during the New Kingdom.
known?
b. Explain What did Hatshepsut do as pharaoh of
Egypt?
FOCUS ON WRITING l'
3. a. Identify What job employed the most people in 5. Developing Key Ideas from the Middle and New
Egypt? Kingdoms Your riddle should contain some infor-
b. Analyze What rights did Egyptian women have? mation about the later pharaohs and daily life in
c. Elaborate Why do you think scribes were so Egypt. Decide which key ideas you should include
honored in Egyptian society? in your riddle and add them to your list.
106 CHAPTER 4
Ramses the Great Ramses had a poem praising him
carved into the walls of five temples,
How could a ruler achieve fame including Karnak. One verse of the
that would last 3,000 years'! poem praises Ramses as a great
warrior and the defender of Egypt
When did he live? late 1300s and early 1200s BC 11 Gracious lord and bravest
king, savior-guard
Where did he live? As pharaoh, Ramses lived in a city he built on the Of Egypt in the battle, be our
Nile Delta. The city's name, Pi-Ramesse, means the "house of Ramses." ward;
Behold we stand alone, in the
What did he do? From a young age, Ramses was hostile Hittite ring,
trained as a ruler and a fighter. Made an army captain Save for us the breath of life,
at age 10, he began military campaigns even before Give deliverance from the
he became pharaoh. During his reign, Ramses greatly strife,
increased the size of his kingdom. Oh! protect us Ramses Miamun!
Oh! save us, mighty king! I I
Why is he important? Many people - Pen-ta-ur, quoted in The World's
consider Ramses the last great Egyptian Story, edited by Eva March Tappan
%WK""~-~? ~
- ;;~
Key Terms and People BUILDING BACKGROUND The Egyptians had a rich and varied
hieroglyphics, p. 108
history, but most people today remember them for their cultural
papyrus, p. 108
achievements, such as their unique writing system. In addition, Egyp- •
Rosetta Stone, p. 109
sphinxes, p. 110 tian art, including the tomb paintings mentioned above, is admired by
obelisk, p. 110 millions of tourists in museums around the world.
_J
King Tutankhamen, p. 113
Egyptian Writing
If you were reading a book and saw pictures of folded cloth, a leg,
a star, a bird, and a man holding a stick, would you know what it
meant? You would if you were an ancient Egyptian. In the Egyp-
tian writing system, or hieroglyphics (hy-ruh-GLIH-fiks), those
five symbols together meant "to teach." Egyptian hieroglyphics
were one of the world's first writing systems.
108 CHAPTER 4
Egyptian hieroglyphics used picture
symbols to represent sounds.
Sound 11eaning
G~ lmn Amon
~ Tut Image
% Ankh Living
7 Heka Ruler
6 lunu Heliopolis
~ ~ Resy Southern
The hieroglyphic writing system used That key was the Rosetta Stone, a huge,
more than 600 symbols, mostly pictures [ stone slab inscribed with hieroglyphics. In
of objects. Each symbol represented one or addition to the hieroglyphics, the Rosetta An object that
helps solve a
more sounds in the Egyptian language. For Stone had text in Greek and a later form of difficult mystery
example, a picture of an owl represented Egyptian. Because the text in all three lan- is sometimes
r the same sound as our letter M. guages was the same, scholars who knew called a Rosetta
Stone.
Hieroglyphics could be written either Greek were able to figure out what the
horizontally or vertically. They could be hieroglyphics said.
written from right to left or from left to
right. These options made hieroglyphics Egyptian Texts
flexible to write but difficult to read. The Because papyrus did not decay in Egypt's
only way to tell which way a text is written dry climate, many Egyptian texts still sur-
is to look at individual symbols. vive. Historians today can read Egyptian
government records, historical records,
The Rosetta Stone science texts, and medical manuals.
Historians and archaeologists have known In addition, many literary works have
about hieroglyphics for centuries, but for a survived. Some, such as The Book of the
long time they didn't know how to read it. Dead, tell about the afterlife. Others tell
In fact, it was not until 1799 when a lucky stories about gods and kings.
discovery by a French soldier gave histo-
rians the key they needed to read ancient I ;1 !;", ij 'CiitJJ' :t Comparing How is our writ-
Egyptian writing. ing system similar to hieroglyphics?
11 0 CHAPTER 4
Only the pharaoh
and priests were
allowed inside the
temple, which was
considered the
home of the gods.
Egyptian Art illustrate major religious rituals. Still other
paintings show scenes from everyday life,
One reason Egypt's temples are so popular
such as farming or hunting.
with tourists is the art they contain. The
Egyptian painting has a distinctive style.
ancient Egyptians were masterful artists.
People, for example, are drawn in a cer-
Many of their greatest works were created
tain way. In Egyptian paintings, people's
to fill the tombs of pharaohs and other
heads and legs are always seen from the
nobles. The Egyptians took great care in
side, but their upper bodies and shoulders
making these items because they believed
are shown straight on. In addition, people
the dead could enjoy them in the afterlife.
do not all appear the same size. Important
Paintings figures such as pharaohs appear huge in
Egyptian art was filled with lively, colorful comparison to others, especially servants
scenes. Detailed works covered the walls of or conquered people. In contrast, Egyptian
temples and tombs. Artists also painted on animals were usually drawn realistically.
canvas, papyrus, pottery, plaster, and wood.
Most Egyptians, however, never saw these Carvings and Jewelr
paintings. Only kings, priests, and important Painting was not the only art form Egyptians
people could enter temples and tombs, practiced. The Egyptians were also skilled
and even they rarely entered the tombs. stoneworkers. Many tombs included huge
The subjects of Egyptian paintings vary statues and detailed carvings.
widely. Some paintings show important The Egyptians also made beautiful objects
historical events, such as the crowning of out of gold and precious stones. They made
kings and the founding of temples. Others jewelry for both women and men. This
112 CHAPTER 4
What might archaeologists learn about
ancient Egypt from these artifacts?
0 What is it? Is it a firsthand account or is it - C. Warren Hollister, from Roots of the Western Tradition
f) Who wrote it? For a primary source, what Syria, and how he marches over the mountains. His bread
was the author's connection to what he or she and water are borne [carried] upon his shoulders like the
was writing about? For a secondary source, what load of [a donkey];they make his neck bent as that of [a
makes the author an authority on this subject? donkey], and the joints of his back are bowed [bent]. His
drink is stinking water ... When he reaches the enemy, he is
C) Who is the audience? Was the information
trapped like a bird, and he has no strength in his limbs. 11
meant for the public? Was it meant for a friend
or for the writer alone? The intended audience - from Wings of the Falcon: Life and Thought of Ancient Egypt,
translated by Joseph Kaster
can influence what the writer has to say.
0 What is the purpose? Authors of either pri- 1. Which quote is a primary source, and which is a
mary or secondary sources can have reasons to secondary source?
exaggerate-or even lie-to suit their own goals 2. Is there evidence of opinion, emotion, or bias in
or purposes. Look for evidence of emotion, opin- the second quote? Explain why or why not.
ion, or bias in the source. These might influence
3. Which information is more likely to be accurate
the accuracy of the account.
on this subject? Explain your answer.
114 CHAPTER 4
Standards Review
Visual Use the visual summary below to help you review
Summary the main ideas of the chapter.
Reviewing Terms and People c. Predict How might history have been differ-
ent if the Nile hadn't flooded every year?
Imagine these terms from the chapter are correct answers
to items in a crossword puzzle. Write the clues for the SEOION 2 (Pages 93-100) G::m 6.2.3
answers. Then make the puzzle with some answers 12. a. Describe What responsibilities did pharaohs
written down and some across. have?
1. cataract 6. elite b. Analyze How were beliefs about the afterlife
2. Menes 7. contract linked to items placed in tombs?
3. pharaoh 8. Ramses c. Elaborate What challenges, in addition to
4. nobles 9. hieroglyphics moving stone blocks, do you think the pyramid
builders faced?
S.mummy 10. Tutankhamen
SECTION 3 (Pages 101-106) G::m 6.2.6, 6.2.7
13. a. Describe What did a scribe do?
Comprehension and b. Analyze What two factors contributed to
Critical Thinking Egypt's wealth during the New Kingdom?
c. Evaluate Ramses the Great was a powerful
SECTION 1 (Pages 88-92) G::m 6.2.1, 6.2.2
pharaoh. Do you think his military successes
11. a. Identify Where was most of Egypt's fertile or his building projects are more important to
land? evaluating his greatness? Why?
b. Make Inferences Why did Memphis become
a political and social center of Egypt?
Reading Skills
Social Studies Skills
Drawing Conclusions from Sources Read the
Judging the Credibility of Sources Each of the ques- following passage and answer the questions. If the
tions below lists two sources that a historian might passage does not provide enough information to answer
consult to answer a question about ancient Egypt. For the question, choose "d. not enough information."
each question, decide which source is likely to be more
accurate or believable and why. 11 Hail to thee, 0 Nile! Who manifests thyself over this
15. What were Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife? land, and comes to give life to Egypt! Mysterious is thy
a. tomb inscriptions issuing forth from the darkness, on this day whereon
b. writings by a priest who visited Egypt in 1934 it is celebrated! 11
- Hymn to the Nile, from The Library of Original Sources,
16. Why did the Nile flood every year? edited by Oliver J.Thatcher
a. songs of praise to the Nile written by Egyp-
tian priests 22. How do you think the Egyptians felt about the
b. a book about the rivers of Africa written by a Nile?
modern geographer a. They admired it. c. They feared it.
17. What kinds of goods did the Egyptians trade? b. They ignored it. d. not enough information
a. government records of trade 23. Where did the Egyptians think the Nile's waters
b. an ancient Egyptian story about a trader came from?
18. What kind of warrior was Ramses the Great? a. the highlands of Ethiopia
a. a poem in praise of Ramses b. the Mediterranean
b. a description of a battle written by an impar- c. an unknown, mysterious location
tial observer d. not enough information
24. What does the name Nile mean in Egyptian?
a. inexhaustible c. celebrated
Internet Adivity
b. mysterious d. not enough information
19. Activity: Creating Egyptian Art The Egyptians
developed an extraordinary artistic civiliza-
tion. Their architecture included innovative
pyramids and temples. Artisans created beauti-
ful paintings, carvings, and jewelry. Enter the 25. Writing a Riddle Choose five details about
activity keyword and research the main features Egypt. Then write a sentence about each detail.
of Egyptian art and architecture. Then imagine Each sentence of your riddle should be a state-
you are an Egyptian artisan. Create a piece of art ment ending with "me." For example, if you
to place inside a pharaoh's tomb. Include hiero- were writing about the United States, you might
glyphics telling the pharaoh about your art. say, "People come from all over the world to
join me." After you have written your five
sentences, end your riddle with "Who am I?"
116 CHAPTER 4
Standards Assessment
DIRECTIONS: Read each question, and write the El The high position priests held in Egyptian
letter of the best response. society shows that
A the pharaoh was a descendant of a god.
D B government was large and powerful.
Oh great god and ruler, the gift of Amon-Re, C religion was important in Egyptian life.
god of the Sun. D the early Egyptians worshipped many gods.
Oh great protector of Egypt and its people.
Great one who has saved us from the horrible D The Egyptians are probably best known for
Tehenu.
building
You, who have turned back the Hittites. A pyramids.
You, who have fortified our western border to B irrigation canals.
forever protect us from our enemies. C ziggurats.
We bless you, oh great one. D forts.
We worship and honor you, oh great pharaoh.