Unit 3: Egypt's Seven Characteristics of Civilization

What was the key source of a **stable food supply** for Ancient Egypt?

The **Nile River**, which provided fertile **silt** soil after its annual flood, allowing them to grow **wheat** and **barley**.

What farming technology did Egyptians use to move water?

The **shadoof** (a water-lifting device) and **irrigation** canals.

What shape did the Ancient Egyptian **social structure** resemble?

A **pyramid**

How did the rigid social structure (the pyramid) help Ancient Egyptian civilization function and endure for so long?

It created order and stability by clearly defining everyone's jobs (like scribes or farmers) and power, ensuring the Pharaoh's authority was never questioned.

Who held the specialized jobs like record-keeping in the middle tier of society?

**Scribes**, **Artisans** (craftsmen), and **Merchants** (traders).

What type of government was Ancient Egypt, where the ruler is also a religious figure?

A **theocracy**. The ruler was the **Pharaoh**, who was viewed as a **god-king**.

What powerful government official oversaw the daily bureaucracy, taxes, and irrigation?

The **Vizier**, the Pharaoh's chief minister.

What famous structures were built in Egypt for use as **tombs** for the Pharaohs?

The **Pyramids** and **Temples**.

What major works of **literature** or instructional texts did the Egyptians create?

**Stories, poems, religious hymns,** and the **Book of the Dead**.

What word describes the Egyptian belief in many gods, like Ra, Osiris, and Isis?

**Polytheism**.

What belief led to the specialized practice of **mummification**?

The great emphasis on the **afterlife**, which required the preservation of the body for the soul's journey.

What key knowledge was necessary for Egyptians to successfully build massive pyramids and temples?

**Engineering, Geometry,** and **Surveying**.

Besides building, what advanced **technology** did the Egyptians develop based on the stars?

A highly accurate **365-day calendar**, essential for farming.

What was the name of the Egyptian writing system that used pictures and symbols?

**Hieroglyphics**.

What material did Egyptians develop from a reed plant to write on, and who were the specialized workers who used it?

They wrote on **papyrus**, and the specialized workers were **Scribes**.

What was the key difference in power and status between the Pharaoh (top of the pyramid) and the Peasants (bottom of the pyramid)?

The Pharaoh was the god-king with absolute power and wealth, while the Peasants were the vast majority, performing manual labor and having almost no power or wealth.