Week 4 & 5

Nile

The modern name of the river valley; ancient Egyptians called it Ar or Aur, meaning 'black'.

Akhet

Flooding season of the Nile, from June to September, crucial for creating silt for agriculture.

Peret

Planting season of the Nile, from October to February, when the river recedes to its normal state.

Shemu

Harvest season of the Nile, from March to May, focused on trading and rationing products.

Hapy

The significant deity in ancient Egyptian religion, representing the annual flooding of the Nile and symbolizing fertility and abundance.

Natural highway

The Nile River served as an efficient transportation route for goods such as grain, papyrus, gold, and textiles.

Territorial Empire

An empire characterized by direct military conquest to acquire land and centralized administration over conquered territories.

Hegemonic Empire

An empire characterized by domination through economic, political, or cultural influence, often using proxy rulers.

Theocratic Monarchy

A form of government in which the ruler is a divine figure, such as the pharaoh in ancient Egypt.

Codified legal systems

Structured legal frameworks like the Code of Ur-Nammu and the Code of Hammurabi that outlined justice and property rights.

Animism

The belief that all things, including inanimate objects, have a spirit or soul.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods, each responsible for different aspects of life.

Monotheism

The belief in one god, exemplified by religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Civilization

An organized and advanced society characterized by urban development, governance, culture, economy, and technology.

Moral code

A set of rules that guides a person's behavior within a religious belief system.

Samsara

The cycle of rebirth in Hinduism, illustrating the belief in continuous life and reincarnation.