Ancient Egypt Study Guide
Name:_______________________________ Date:____________ Block:_________
Use your notes to define, in your own words, the following terms. Does not have to lengthy:
1) dynasty- _a family that rules for several generations__________________________________________________
2) pharaoh- __ruler of Ancient Egypt___________________________________________________________________
3) Nile River- _longest river in the world, lifeline of Egypt_________________________________
4) mummy- __body prepared to be preserved as a part of Egyptian religious practices_________________________
5) hieroglyphics-__Egyptian writing using picture symbols__________________________________________________
6) papyrus- __tall plant from the banks of the Nile River from which a thick paper-like material is pulled. Lighter and more flexible
fabric used to write hieroglyphics on.
7) Old Kingdom- _large central government able to build the pyramids_______________________________________
8) Middle Kingdom-_Egypt conquers Nubia, thus giving them slaves and gold.____________________
9) New Kingdom- _Egypt becomes strongest kingdom in the world_______________________
10) pyramid- _huge triangular structure build as a tomb for the pharaohs.
11) monarchy- _a type of government with one ruler until their death. Power in government follows a family line for many
generations
12) Polytheistic- _ worship many gods______ Monotheistic- ___worship one god_______________
13) Horus- _Egyptian Sky God. Most respected god and it was believed that the Pharaoh was the human form of Horus
14) hierarchy- __levels within a group or society which are given more power, authority, or respect based on the level ex. Social class
15) What are hieroglyphics and papyrus? Explain the significance of hieroglyphics. Explain why papyrus was such a great
innovation for the Egyptians.
Hieroglyphics is the written language of the Ancient Egyptians. They are picture symbols to represent people or words. They tell the
Egyptian stories, myths, keep records, and allow for education and laws to be more easily given out. Papyrus is the thick paper-like
substance that the Egyptian wrote on. This came from the papyrus plant which grew along the Nile River. This was easy to carry
around from place to place so made communication and record keeping more productive.
16) Describe 3 reasons why the Nile River had such a significant impact on the lives of the ancient Egyptians.
Transportation, trade, and natural resources from the nutrient-rich and fertile soil are all reasons why the ancient Egyptians consider
Egypt the “gift of the Nile.”
17) What were 3 pros and 3 cons of a pharaoh’s life? Explain in detail.
3 Postitves to being a Pharaoh are that they could make the laws, they collected the taxes, and they were the high priest. 3 Negatives
of being a Pharaoh was the risk of assassination, being blamed for tragedies, and being a military leader.
18) What were 3 of the accomplishments/advancements of ancient Egyptian culture? How did they each improve life in ancient
Egypt?
Papyrus and Heiroglyphics, Pyramids, arithmetic and geometry, the 365 day calendar, irrigation and water control systems were all
accomplishments of ancient Egyptian culture that would improve life in Egypt.
Ancient Egypt Study Guide
19) What are 2 similarities and 2 (DIFFERENT) differences between ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt’s civilizations?
Explain in detail.
2 similarities- centered on a river for survival, written language, discovered methods of irrigation, worshipped many gods, leaders
created laws and organized systems
2 differences- calendars, number systems, location, name for ruler, substance used to write on