Egyptian Society- 4.2
Answer and complete the following. When you are done with the top, go around the room with your partner to find out
more about the Famous Leaders in Egypt.
Egyptian Dynasties
The Kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt united around 3100 BCE. For most of the next 3,000 years, this land was ruled
by powerful kings called pharaohs.
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Historians divide ancient Egypt into three distinct time periods: _______________, _______________, and
_______________. During these time periods, pharaohs ruled the empire and passed their power down from
______________________________ through ruling dynasties.
Pharaohs waged wars to expand their empires and build elaborate temples and tombs that still stand
throughout Egypt today.
o _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Historians have learned about pharaohs such as _______________, _______________, _______________, and
_______________ from the artifacts left behind in their tombs and temples.
Why Does It Matter?
Egypt was one of the largest and most influential kingdoms in the ancient world. Pharaohs had immense power over
the people of Egypt.
This statue of Ramses II is from one of the many temples he built during his reign.
Calling Rank
Ancient Egyptians created a social pyramid that ranked members of society based on their status.
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The ancient Egyptians believed that pharaohs were _______________.
o A small group of government officials and priests served the pharaohs.
Skilled workers, such as scribes and _______________, created written works and artifacts, many of which
survive today.
o ____________________________________________________________________________________.
The majority of Egyptians were _______________ who farmed the land.
______________ ________________ had the lowest status in ancient Egypt.
Why Does It Matter?
Every class in the social structure contributed to Egyptian society and all classes supported the power of the pharaoh.
The pharaoh’s decisions about war, building projects, and succession could affect the lives of every Egyptian.
Every class of Egyptian played an important role in society.
Egyptian Religion
Ancient Egyptians were polytheists who believed in many gods. They also believed that the dead lived on in the afterlife.
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_______________, _______________, _______________, and _______________were among the chief gods of
Egypt. The pharaoh was considered an embodiment of _______________ on Earth.
To prepare for the afterlife, pharaohs ordered their subjects to build detailed tombs full of fine objects.
o ________________________________________________________________________________________.
After death, a pharaoh’s body was carefully _______________, or preserved, by priests before being placed in a
_______________.
Why Does It Matter?
The ancient Egyptians’ focus on the afterlife is one of the reasons that their culture has been so well preserved.
Builders went to enormous lengths to provide secure buildings to house the pharaohs’ bodies after death. Artists and
scribes created works to record the glorious past of the pharaohs. Tomb art, including hieroglyphics, gives historians
clues about what happened in ancient Egypt.
Get to Know Egypt’s Leader
Take a tour of “Blackwell’s Museum of Ancient Egypt and other Fun Things” to learn more
about Ancient Egypt’s Famous Leaders. Once you have watched the video and read the
biography, summarize the leader’s life in the space provided.
Hatshesput:
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Ramses II:
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King Tutankhamun:
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Khufu:
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