States and Kingship in Ancient Egypt

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes about Ancient Egyptian civilization, focusing on states and kingship.

Ethnography

The systematic study of people and cultures through direct observation.

Archaeology

The study of human history and prehistory through excavation and analysis of artifacts.

Civilization

A complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification, and cultural development.

Barbarism

A term used to describe societies considered uncivilized or primitive.

Savagery

The state of being primitive or uncivilized.

Social Complexity

The characteristic of a society that entails a variety of interdependent roles and institutions.

Tribute

Wealth sent from one political entity to another, often as a sign of submission or allegiance.

Taxation

The process through which a government collects money from its citizens.

Centralized government

A governing authority that holds all power centrally rather than distributing it among local units.

Bureaucracy

A system of administration characterized by strict policies and procedures.

Social stratification

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals into social classes.

Division of labor

The assignment of different tasks to different people or groups in a society.

Craft specialization

When individuals focus on a specific craft or skill, resulting in increased efficiency and expertise.

Kingship

The state or condition of being a king or queen and the system of rule associated with a monarchy.

State Expansion

The process by which a state increases its territory or influence.

Militia

A military force that is raised from the civilian population to supplement regular army forces.

Asymmetrical relationships

Imbalanced relationships between different centers of power.

Inca Empire

A vast empire in ancient South America, known for its sophisticated administration and architecture.

Qhapac ñan

The Inca road system that facilitated communication and trade across the empire.

Tambos

Way stations used by the Incas for rest and storage along the road system.

Labor Taxation

A system where labor is provided in exchange for the right to work on particular projects.

Khipus

An ancient Incan device for recording information, using knotted strings.

Palaces

Large and imposing residences, often used as the official residence of rulers.

Religious iconography

Visual images and symbols used in religious contexts.

Irrigation

The method of supplying water to land to assist in the growth of crops.

Cultural systems

The established patterns of traditions and beliefs within a society.

Power in three domains

The distribution of power across different societal structures or domains.

Archaic States

Early states that emerged in human history characterized by complex social order and centralized power.

Dynasty

A sequence of rulers from the same family line.

Neolithic Period

The final stage of cultural evolution, marked by the development of agriculture and permanent settlements.

Predynastic Period

The time in ancient Egyptian history before the establishment of the first dynasty.

Badarian Culture

An early cultural group in Egypt known for its agricultural innovations.

Nomes

Administrative divisions of ancient Egypt.

Scorpion Macehead

Artifact believed to depict the Scorpion King, reflecting early Egyptian kingship.

Palette of Narmer

An ancient Egyptian artifact that symbolically represents the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Mastabas

Flat-roofed, rectangular tombs with sloping sides, used in ancient Egypt before the pyramids.

Hieroglyphics

A system of writing using symbols or pictures used in ancient Egypt.

Rosetta Stone

A granite stele inscribed with the same text in three scripts, crucial for deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Pyramids of Giza

A complex of monumental tombs in Egypt serving the pharaohs, reflecting the civilization's architectural advancement.

Great Sphinx

A limestone statue of a reclined sphinx, symbolizing strength and wisdom in ancient Egypt.

Sneferu

The first pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, known for his advancements in pyramid construction.

Khufu

An ancient Egyptian pharaoh who built the Great Pyramid at Giza.

Khafre

Pharaoh known for the second pyramid at Giza; often associated with the Great Sphinx.

Menkaure

Pharaoh known for the third pyramid at Giza.

Step Pyramid of Djoser

The first pyramid built in Egypt, designed for Pharaoh Djoser.

Agriculture

The practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.

Polytheistic religion

A religious belief system that worships multiple gods.

Ra

The ancient Egyptian sun god, central to their polytheistic religion.

Horus

The ancient Egyptian god often depicted as a falcon, associated with kingship and the sky.