Transcript Ancient Egypt Vocabulary

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Nile River—The Nile is the longest river in the
world. It runs north through Egypt to the
Mediterranean Sea, a distance of 4000 miles.
Upper Egypt– southern region of Egypt. It is
located upriver in the relation to the Nile’s flow.
The Nile floods this region in mid-summer.
Lower Egypt– the northern region of Egypt. It is
located downriver. The Nile floods this region in
the fall.
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Pharaoh– the titles used by the rulers of
ancient Egypt. Historians believe that Menes
(MEE-neez) was the first pharaoh.
Dynasty– series of rulers from the same
family
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Old Kingdom—period in Egyptian history that
lasted for about 500 years from about 2700
to 2200 B.C. The Great Pyramids and the
Sphinx were created during this time.
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Nobles- -people from rich and powerful families
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Afterlife– life after death. This belief in the afterlife
came from their belief in ka (kah)
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Ka-- or a person’s life force. The Egyptians believed
that when a person died their ka would become a
spirit. However, their ka was linked to their body
therefore it could not leave the burial site. The ka
needs all the same things as a living person therefore
the Egyptians would fill tombs with clothing,
furniture, tools, jewelry and weapons. Relatives would
bring food and drink to the their loved one’s tombs.
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Mummification- method of embalming to
preserve bodies. Egypt’s royalty and elite
were mummified.
• Middle Kingdom-- period in Egyptian history from
about 2050 to 1750 B.C. In the period Egypt becomes
an international power by reconquering Nubia and
expanding trade routes.
• New Kingdom-- period in Egyptian history from
about 1550 to 1050 B.C. This was also the period that
Egypt reached the height of its power and glory.
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Hieroglyphics– system of writing that used
pictures to represent sounds or words.
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Papyrus– long-lasting paper-like material
made from reeds; used to write on.
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Rosetta Stone– stone slab inscribed with
hieroglyphics. It was discovered in 1799 by a
French soldier. It allowed historians to be
able to read the Egyptian hieroglyphics.