Study Guide for Egypt, Indus Valley, and Yellow River Civilizations
Egypt
(Ch. 2-3 and Ch. 2-4)
Terms – You should be able to define these terms and understand why they are important for understanding
Ancient Egyptian civilization
Bureaucracy
Cataract
Delta
Demotic Writing
Dynasty (Dynastic Cycle)
Hieroglyphics
Mummification
Pharaoh
Rosetta Stone
Theocracy
Vizier
People – You should recognize a basic description of who these people are and what important
events/contributions they made to Ancient Egyptian civilization
Hatshepsut
Thutmose III
Ramses III
King Tutankhamen
Hyksos
Events and Time Periods – You should be able to explain these major events, why they were important, and
(if appropriate) their causes and effects
The Old Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom
The New Kingdom
Pyramid building
Concepts – You should be able to explain the following concepts and answer the following questions. Often
these ideas will be tested in short paragraph or even essay form



Egypt is often referred to as “The Gift of the Nile.” What impact did the Nile River have on the
development of Egyptian society? Consider the following areas:
o Water (for both drinking and agriculture)
o Transportation
o Worldview
o Technology and science
The Nile was not the only feature of geography important to the Egyptians. What was the impact of…
o The desert
o Its location at the crossroads of Africa and Asia
What accomplishments in Science, Math, Art, and culture did the ancient Egyptians contribute?
Ancient Indus Valley and Indian Civilization
(Ch. 3-1, 3-3, and a little 3-2)
Terms – You should be able to define these terms and understand why they are important for understanding
Indian civilization
Acculturation
Aryans
Caste System
Subcontinent
Karma/Dharma
Monsoon
Nirvana
Vedas
Ramayana and Mahabharata
Reincarnation (“The Wheel of Pain”)
Stamp seals
Veneration
People – You should recognize a basic description of who these people are and what important
events/contributions they made to Indian civilization
Asoka
Brahman
Brahmins
Chandragupta Maurya
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
Pariahs (untouchables)
Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)
Events and Time Periods – You should be able to explain these major events, why they were important, and
(if appropriate) their causes and effects
Gupta “Golden Age”
Concepts – You should be able to explain the following concepts and answer the following questions. Often
these ideas will be tested in short paragraph or even essay form




Describe what we know about the civilization of the ancient Indus Valley and what theories we have as to
why it disappeared
What are the basic ideas behind Hindu and Buddhist beliefs
o This is a huge question. I am not looking for detailed description. Just show me the basic ideas
that are at the root
What is the impact of geography on Indian culture? Consider the following:
o Weather
o Rivers and other land features
What accomplishments did the Gupta Empire contribute to world history?
Ancient China from the Shang to the Han
(Ch. 3-4 and 3-5)
Terms – You should be able to define these terms and understand why they are important for understanding
Chinese civilization
Loess
Clan
Oracle Bones
Character (writing)
Filial Piety
Mandate of Heaven
Silk Road
River of Sorrows
The Middle Kingdom
People – You should recognize a basic description of who these people are and what important
events/contributions they made to Chinese civilization
Confucius (Kung Fu-Tze)
Loazi (Lao-Tze)
Qin Shi Huang Ti
Wudi
Events and Time Periods – You should be able to explain these major events, why they were important, and
(if appropriate) their causes and effects
The Shang
The Zhou
The Qin
The Han
The Warring States period
Concepts – You should be able to explain the following concepts and answer the following questions. Often
these ideas will be tested in short paragraph or even essay form

What was the impact of China’s geography on the development of Chinese civilization? Consider the
following:
o The Yellow River



o The “Four Seas”
What was the importance of silk-making to Chinese history and culture?
What are the basic ideas of the various Chinese religions/philosophies?
o Confucianism
o Toaism
o Legalism
What accomplishments are the ancient Chinese responsible for? Especially consider the Han “Golden
Age.”