Ancient Egypt and Kush
Study Guide for Unit 3 Test
Most ancient Egyptians settled along the Nile River. The Nile River provided fresh
water for drinking, food (fish) and trade (navigable river). Papyrus reeds were very
useful for many reasons.
The deserts of Egypt and Kush were helpful because they provided natural barriers
to keep out invaders. Think…would you want to travel many miles in hot, dry desert
conditions?
The Sea of Galilee was a source of fresh water for ancient people.
The Dead Sea is
unique because
it’s too salty for
any form of life.
It’s great for
floating. 
People in Canaan depended on the
vegetation of the Jordan River.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is
one of the wonders of the
ancient world.
It is unique because it is built of
more than 2 million stone
blocks and there are tunnels
and chambers inside. 
Ramses II
Pharaoh of Egypt
Built many temples
Great military leader
Fought against the Hittites and eventually signed the first
peace treaty with them.
Pharaoh, Government officials, Priests, scribes, artisans, peasants and
slaves.
Definition of the Egyptian Afterlife
What was the Egyptian afterlife and how was
it described?. The Egyptian Afterlife was seen
as a perfect existence in an ideal version of
Egypt. The Afterlife was a place of complete
bliss, delight and peace. The Afterlife was
referred to as the Field of Rushes or Field of
Offerings. Ancient Egyptians provided for
their afterlives according to their earthly
means.
The Ancient Egyptians were preoccupied by
death and believed that after death they
would go to the dark and terrifying place
called the Underworld. The Underworld was a
land of great dangers and various tests
through which every Egyptian would need to
pass before passing into the Afterlife.
Ancient Kush was well know for
gold. It was also a center for
trade.
*Nubia
*Gold
*Kandakes
*Paintings on Ancient Egyptian
Tomb walls.
Ancient Kush moved its capital city to Meroe. Meroe was rich in iron which was
used for making advanced weapons.
The first Monotheistic religion,
meaning they believe in one
God which was a new idea in
ancient times.
Jerusalem: A holy city
The Ark of the Covenant was kept in a
holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The only remnant of the Ark in Jewish
life today is the Holy Ark in which Torah
scrolls are kept in synagogues. These
Arks often are decorated with copies of
the Tablets, reminiscent of the contents
of the actual Ark of ancient times.