History 8 Egypt Questions

Return to History 8 Egypt Questions

1. Detail the importance of the Nile River to Egypt.

2. How and why did the Egyptian view of life differ from the Mesopotamian outlook?

While Mesopotamia and Egypt drew their life from a river, the Nile was a gift to the Egyptians whereas the Tigris and Euphrates drowned people when it flooded. The Nile deposited fresh silt before it receded, allowing for fresh soil and good farming land. Also, the Egyptian empire was permanent and stable, allowing for confidence in the Egyptian peoples. Because of this stability, there was always optimism in the Egyptians feelings, unlike Mesopotamia’s outlook, which was pessimistic.

3. What lay at the heart of Egyptian civilization? "The ideological basis of prehistoric kingship, its symbols and myths, proved uniquely long-lasting, indeed it lay at the heart of Egyptian civilization. The temple was symbolic representation of the original mound of creation...a pattern to be maintained by kingship, law, religion, and ritual." (Manual 89) Basically the prehistoric kingship, the myths and the symbols live in the heart of Egypt. The temple, and their religion also constructed Egyptian way of life. LRM

[1]is a picture of and Egyptian temple [2]- a website for Egyptian temple

4. What was significance of the temple in this civilization?

5. Name and explain the mainstays of Egyptian civilization.

6. Describe the key themes of Egyptian history.

Egyptians believed that a divine kingship ensured a stable universe. The key themes of Egyptian history stem from that belief. The themes are centralization of power, cult of the dead and royal rituals. Centralization of power is the concentration of power among a few select people of the upper class. The cult of the dead refers to the treatment of the corpses, the extensive embalming, the great pyramids, and the gold and other treasures buried for the corpse. The royal ritual, another theme of Egyptian history, refers to celebration and worship of the gods. These ceremonies were often performed to placate or ask favors from gods. Learn more about Egyptian rituals at [3] One theme in Egyptian religion is the constant struggle between the two sons of Osiris, Horus and Seth. Many historians think this myth originates from a real conflict between two kingdoms. (CF Manual p 88-89) N.G.

[4]

7. Explain the role of the pyramid and the legitmation of authority in Egypt.

8. Give as many reasons for the collapse of the Old Kingdom as possible.

9. What kind of state or society existed in the Middle Kingdom?. Give Examples

10. What changes occurred in the New Kingdom?.

11. Detail the greatest change in thinking in the first millennium B.C.

12. Explain what Ibn Khaldun, the Islamic historian, meant when he called Egypt the best example of the habit of civilization.

13. How did the Egyptians concieve of the universe and the civil state?

14. Define and explain the concept of ma'at.