Unit 6: Ancient Egypt Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key geography, rulers, religious practices, and historical periods of Ancient Egypt.

The Nile

River that provided ancient Egypt with an abundant food surplus and featured calm, predictable flooding.

Deserts (Egyptian Geography)

Natural geographical features that served as a barrier and protection, as well as a source of minerals and soil nutrients.

Seas (Egyptian Geography)

Bodies of water that provided ancient Egypt with food, trade opportunities, barriers, and protection.

Old Kingdom

A major period in Egyptian history characterized by developing government, society, and the construction of pyramids.

Egyptian Afterlife

A spiritual realm of death and rebirth where an individual still had to perform work.

Mummification

The preservation ritual required for the physical body to reach the afterlife, reflecting strong belief in life after death.

King Narmer

The ruler who united Lower and Upper Egypt, associated with the Narmer Palette.

King Djoser

The 2nd king of the 3rd dynasty who built the Step Pyramid.

King Khufu

The 2nd king of the 4th dynasty who built the Great Pyramid and extended Egypt's boundaries.

Rosetta Stone

A broken fragment of a stone slab that proved significant in helping translate hieroglyphs.

First Intermediate Period

The era marking the decline of the Old Kingdom, defined by economic decline, decentralization, and climate change.

Mentuhotep II

The ruler who reunited Egypt, initiating the start of the Middle Kingdom.

12th Dynasty

The dynasty recognized as Egypt's golden age, driven by political stability, wealth, and increased cooperation.

Second Intermediate Period

A historical period of disunity characterized by declining Pharaonic power.

Hyksos

The group that conquered Lower Egypt and influenced the adoption of bronze tools and war chariots.

Ahmose

The leader who drove the Hyksos out of Egypt.

New Kingdom

The period of ancient Egyptian history known specifically as the Empire period.

Hatshepsut

A female ruler who first served as regent for her stepson and caused controversy by adopting the image of a male Pharaoh.

Akhenaten

A New Kingdom Pharaoh known for attempting to radically change the Egyptian religion.

Tutankhamun

The Pharaoh who reversed the religious changes introduced by his father.

Ramses II

The Egyptian ruler who fought at the Battle of Kadesh, defeated the Hittites using war chariots, and agreed to the first peace treaty.

Battle of Kadesh

An important battle between Egypt and the Hittite Empire that featured war chariots and resulted in the first peace treaty.

Decline of the New Kingdom

The downfall of Egypt's empire brought about by invasions by Sea People, Akhenaten's religious upheaval, and Pharaohs ignoring foreign affairs.