Chapter 7
Define:
Egyptians (p. 65)- settled along the Nile River; 3100 BCE – 350 CE
Kushites (p. 65) – settled along the southern Nile River; 2000 BCE – 350CE
Hebrews (p. 65)- settled in Canaan; 1800BCE
geography (p. 65) – the physical features of a place
topography (p. 66) – the surface features of a place or region
vegetation (p. 66) – the plants of a place or region
fertilization (p. 69) – the process of adding fertilizer
papyrus (p. 69) – a tough water plant used to make paper and rope
nomad (p. 71) – a person who moves from place to place
Answer the following:
1. How did the environmental factors of water, topography, and vegetation affect where
people choose to settle in ancient times? (6.2.1)
People needed to settle where the environment would give them
enough water to live and the proper weather to survive.
2. Why was the Nile River valley a favorable place to settle? In what ways did environmental
factors influence daily life in the Nile River valley? (6.2.1)
The Nile River valley was a good place to settle because it flooded and irrigated the land
yearly, making the soil very fertile. Daily life was centered around the Nile River – people’s
jobs were based on it.
3. Describe the geography of Canaan. In what ways did environmental factors influence
daily life in this region?
The many sources of water around Canaan was important for the soil and it also
allowed for trade.
Chapter 8
Define:
pharaoh (p. 73) – king/general/god of the Egyptians
pyramid (p. 74) – a huge, triangular shaped monument build around a tomb
Khufu (p. 75) – The Pyramid Builder; built The Great Pyramid of Giza
Senusret I (p. 76) – Patron of the Arts; encouraged the arts (literature, architecture, etc)
White Chapel (p. 76) – Senusret’s best architectural achievement, had beautiful artwork
Hatshepsut (p. 77) – Promoter of Egyptian Trade; first female pharaoh
Ramses II (p. 78) – Military Leader and Master Builder; fearless soldier, signed the first peace
treaty
Answer the following:
1. What were the major accomplishments of the Old, Middle, and New
Kingdoms of ancient Egypt? Old – early pharaohs set up a central government (pharaohs
ruled all). Middle - Egypt became reunified and flourished in the arts. New – Egypt’s power
reached it’s height.
2. What features made the Great Pyramid an amazing accomplishment?
(6.2.5) Made of more 2 million bricks, took more than 20 years to complete
3. In what ways did Egyptian art and architecture flourish during the rule
of pharaoh Senusret I? (6.2.5) Artisans created beautiful jewelry and some of the greatest
works of art and literature were created at this time.
4. Who was Hatshepsut? How did she strengthen her position and her kingdom? (6.2.6, 6.2.7) First female leader, promoted trade, and filled the government with loyal
advisors.
5. Who was Ramses II? What were his most impressive achievements?
(6.2.5, 6.2.7) Reigned longer than all other pharaohs, had over 100 wives and 100 children,
signed first peace treaty
Chapter 9
Define:
artisan (p. 82) – a craftsperson
peasant (p. 82) – a person who does farm work for wealthy landowners
vizier (p. 84) – a high-ranking government official
scribe (p. 85) – official writers and record keepers
embalm (p. 87) – preserving bodies from decay
sarcophagus (p. 87) – a large stone coffin
hieroglyph (p. 88) – a symbol used in hieroglyphics ( a system of writing )
famine (p. 93) – a severe shortage of food
Answer the following:
1. Describe the social pyramid of ancient Egypt. What determined a person’s social class?
(6.2.3) People were born into their social class and could not change. From highest ranking
to lowest, the order of social class is pharaoh, government officials, priests, scribes, artisans,
peasants.
2. What were the primary responsibilities of the government officials? What privileges did
government officials have? (6.2) Government officials advised the pharaoh and lived lives of
luxury.
3. How were government and religion intertwined in Egyptian society?(6.2.3) The pharaohs
were in charge of government and religion so there was no separation, one person ruled all.
4. Why did Egyptians preserve bodies through embalming? (6.2) Egyptians believed in life
after death and that they needed their body.
5. How were scribes educated? What work did they do? (6.2.9) Scribes were educated for 12
years in scribe school and they wrote down laws and census information.
6. What types of artisans existed in Egyptian society? What was daily life like for these
artisans? (6.2.5) Artisans were highly skilled but rarely respected. They held jobs like stone
carvers, carpenters, jewelers, leatherworkers, painters, potters, sculptors and weavers.
7. In what ways did the daily lives of peasants revolve around the Nile? Peasants were farm
workers and their lives revolved around the Nile because the farms and food were located in
the fertile soil around the Nile River. The seasons of the Nile determined their work.
Chapter 10
Define:
Nubia (p. 96) – another name for Kush; comes from nub meaning “gold”
King Piye (p. 97) – Kushite King that became the 25th dynasty in Egypt.
dynasty (p. 97) – line of rulers
Meroë (p. 98) – the city that Kushites settled in and became an important center of trade
Meroitic (p. 99) – a native language that Kushites spoke in Meroe
kandake (p. 99) – queen mothers that ruled Meroe
Queen Amanirenas (p. 99) – the greatest kandakes, defended Kush against powerful
Romans
treaty (p. 99) – a written agreements by which two or more states agree to be peaceful
Answer the following:
1. Where was Kush located? Why was Kush an important trading center?
(6.2.6, 6.2.8) Kush was located around the fertile banks of the Southern Nile River. The
location and natural resources (like gold) made it an important trading center.
2. In what ways was Kush “Egyptianized” under Egypt’s control? What happened to these
aspects of Egyptian culture when Kush regained its independence? (6.2.8) Kushites began to
speak and write Egyptian, worship Egyptian gods and wear Egypt-style clothing. The
Egyptian culture remained even after Egypt fell to Kush.
3. Describe the Kush capital of Meroë. (6.2.8) Meroe was 300 miles south of Napata and was
a large and wealthy ciy. It became known for producing iron.
4. What aspects of its African roots did Kush return to after its split with Egypt? (6.2.8) When
Kush regained its independence, they no longer imitated Egyptian style and wrote and
spoke in their own language, Meroitic.
5. What eventually happened to the kingdom of Kush? (6.2)
The kingdom of Kush fell to invaders from Ethiopia.
Chapter 11
Define:
Judaism (p. 101) – one of the world’s major religions; the Jewish religion.
Torah (p. 101) – means “God’s teaching” and is a sacred text where the basic laws of the
religion are written
Old Testament (p. 101) – The Hebrew Bible is the Old Testament
Jerusalem (p. 101) – David established Jerusalem as a holy city and the first Great Temple of
Jerusalem was a powerful symbol of their faith.
covenant (p. 104) – an agreement or promise
Exodus (p. 106) – the escape of the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery
Ten Commandments (p. 107) – the laws Moses that became the foundation of Judaism
Answer the following:
1. Why is the Torah a valuable artifact that historians use to learn about the
ancient Hebrews and their times? (6.3.2) It is a valuable artifact because it is written. Most
history before this time was handed down from generation to generation orally.
2. Who are Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon? These men are the four Jewish leaders
that helped found Judaism.
3. According to the Torah, how did Judaism begin? Which central beliefs emerged from the
origins of Judaism? (6.3.1, 6.3.2) Judaism began when the Hebrews settled in Canaan and
King David forged them into one united nation. The central belief is that there is ONE god.