Name:
Class Name:
Date:
The Story of Ancient Egypt – Study Guide
Chapter 3
Part I: The Old Kingdom (2700-2200 BCE)
Terms to know
cuneiform
A type of writing invented by the Sumerians
hieroglyphs
Written language using symbols
famine
Small harvests due to lack of water. People starve.
1. What were the three time periods in the history of Ancient Egypt?
Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom
2. Trade was an important part of the economy. What goods did Egypt receive
from the following countries?
Nubia: ____Gold, Ebony, Ivory____________
Sinai: _____Copper and Turquoise_________
Syria: _____Lapos Lazuli, Silver____________
Byblos: ___ Cedar Wood_________________
Name:
Class Name:
Date:
3. What occurred that brought the Old Kingdom to an end (tell the story)?
When Pepi died, the central government fell apart.
In the 20 years that followed, Egypt could not work together and returned to the
primitive times.
Nomes became independent again and were often at war.
4. Why is the Old Kingdom considered to be an intellectual high point of Egyptian
civilization? Name two major achievements.
That is when they built the best pyramids. There were also major achievements in
Math, Science and Writing.
5. Why is the period following the fall of the Old Kingdom known as the Dark
Ages?
There was famine and war. The light of learning went out
Name:
Class Name:
Date:
Part 2: The Middle Kingdom (2000-1700 BCE)
Terms to know
1. What city replaced Memphis as the capital of Egypt?
anarchy
No central government leads to disorder and
mayhem
Hyksos
Means “foreign invaders” in Egyptian. Nomads from
Palestine who invaded Egypt.
fayum
A 670 square mile natural lake that contained water
from the Nile in the days of the Old Kingdom. Silt
built up around its entrance and blocked water from
the Nile.
Thebes
2. What did the anarchy of the Dark Ages make clear to the rulers of the Middle
Kingdom?
It was important to have a strong central government with a strong pharaoh whom
the nobles respected.
3. Why did the Egyptians conquer Nubia?
Gold
4. What products did the Egyptians receive from the land of Punt?
Name:
Class Name:
Date:
Exotic animals, spices, frankincense, and myrrh
5. Explain the Fayum Project.
It was an irrigation project that guaranteed water to farmers when inundation was
low.
Silt had built up around the Fayum and blocked water that used to flow from the
Nile. The lake became a marshland.
The new project drained the land and created a new lake. It connected to the Nile
with a canal. A dam controlled the level of water.
6. How did the Hyksos defeat the Egyptians?
They defeated Pharaoh’s troops with their fancy technology. They had two
wheeled chariots that carried two soldiers. They had arrows shot with a better bow
and bronze-tipped spears. Pharaoh’s army had primitive spears and arrows and
vegetable carts pulled by donkeys!
7. What were three contributions the Hyksos made to Egyptian civilization?
Upright loom
Lute and other musical instruments
Chariot
Part 3: The New Kingdom (1500-1000 BCE)
Name:
Class Name:
Date:
1. What were five new weapons developed by the Egyptians after they were
invaded by the Hyksos?
Shields of bronze
Battle axe and chain armor
Lighter, more maneuverable chariots
2. How were the pharaohs of the New Kingdom different from those of the Old
and Middle Kingdoms?
They led their squadrons into battle and fought alongside their men.
Name:
Class Name:
Date:
Pharaohs to Know
Senwosnet
Greatest pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty. Dug a channel
that led to the conquest of Nubia.
Hatshepsut
First woman leader who took the place of Thutmose
III while he was still a child.
Amontotep IV
Eccentric monarch who had a great influence on art,
religion, and literature.
Thutmose I
First pharaoh to be buried in the rugged cliffs rising
above the Nile.
Ramses II
This pharaoh’s reign lasted 66 years. He was a
braggart who defeated the Hittites.
Cleopatra
Last member of the Ptolemy Dynasty to rule, who
according to legend, died of a snakebite.
Tutankhamen
His tomb was found intact in 1922.