GUIDED QUESTIONS
1. How did Egyptian religious beliefs reflect their society, lifestyle, and geographic location?
The ancient Egyptians were polytheistic and believed that the pharaoh was a god. In order to appease the pharaoh, the people built great pyramids and temples to honor him while different gods or goddesses controlled a part of their daily life. Everyone worked for the ruler as farmers gave a portion of their crops to the kingdom and men were sent to build great temples. Religious festivals with statues of gods parading through the streets were celebrated and most people owned altars or chapels in their home garden.
2. How did climatic change influence the early development of African cultures?
When the climate became hotter and drier, people were driven into the rich- soil river regions of the Nile. The climate also impacted the quality, amount, distribution, and unpredictability of food & water.
3. How did the institution of the Pharaoh evolve, and what was the nature of the pharaoh's power through the Old Kingdom period?
The development of the Pharaoh's institution began with small states that had semi- divine rulers. This later evolved into small kingdoms that later unified. Egypt became a large and prosperous state headed by a pharaoh. In addition, the nature of the pharaoh's power was one of divinity. The people believed him to be a representation of a god and, therefore, did not question his motives or actions.
4. Describe the early kingdom of Kush. What was its relationship with Egypt like?
The kingdom of Kush developed along the Nile River and it was the most important trading route between Africa and the areas to the north. During Egypt's New Kingdom era, the ruling Pharaoh took control of Kush. The Kush later regained their power and and ruled Egypt for a short time when Egyptian leaders were less powerful. Egyptians later drove them out and Kush's capital moved to Meroe.
5. How did the invasion of the Hyksos influence the later development of Egypt?
The Egyptian army was unprepared when the Hyksos attacked. This invasion ended the Egyptian Middle Kingdom era and also disrupted the political and social stability of Egypt. On the other hand, the invasion brought new inventions like the chariot, bronze weapons, and composite bows. Furthermore, Hyksos adapted to the Egyptian culture but they left behind their advanced inventions.
6. In what ways was the New Kingdom period of Egypt different from the earlier ones? What were the relations with Kush like during this period?
During the New Kingdom, Egypt expanded its borders through military conquest that allowed it to become a world power. Also, the pharaohs reached their peak of power and were consequently buried in the Valley of the Kings.
7. What was society like in Egypt and Nubia in terms of both social classes and gender roles?
Egyptian women stayed at home performing their duties and men worked. Society was divided into classes from this order of ranking: pharaoh, priests, nobles, craftspeople, merchants, peasants, and farmers. Nubia also had a patriarchal society that informed its government and family unit. Furthermore, Nubia had some women's rights but Egypt had laws that made women more independent compared to other classical civilizations.
8. What kind of transportation systems did the Egyptians use, and how did their transportation influence the development of their trade networks?
Ancient Egyptians used chariots, donkeys, boats, and camels to travel from one place to another. The usage of the seaway transport gathered more trade links from all over the world.
9. What was the significance of the cult of Osiris?
The cult of Osiris refers to a story in which a man named Sethe murders his brother, Osiris, and scatters his body. Osiris' wife, called Isis, gathers his husband's body parts and restores him to life in the underworld. In result, Osiris is associated with the Nile, crops, life or death, and immorality. Osiris judges the heart of the dead against the feather of the truth.
10. How did the Bantu Migrations influence the development of societies in sub- Saharan Africa?
The Bantu migrations influenced the development of societies by introducing metal work, variation in the crops cultivated, and the changes in population & language.
The ancient Egyptians were polytheistic and believed that the pharaoh was a god. In order to appease the pharaoh, the people built great pyramids and temples to honor him while different gods or goddesses controlled a part of their daily life. Everyone worked for the ruler as farmers gave a portion of their crops to the kingdom and men were sent to build great temples. Religious festivals with statues of gods parading through the streets were celebrated and most people owned altars or chapels in their home garden.
2. How did climatic change influence the early development of African cultures?
When the climate became hotter and drier, people were driven into the rich- soil river regions of the Nile. The climate also impacted the quality, amount, distribution, and unpredictability of food & water.
3. How did the institution of the Pharaoh evolve, and what was the nature of the pharaoh's power through the Old Kingdom period?
The development of the Pharaoh's institution began with small states that had semi- divine rulers. This later evolved into small kingdoms that later unified. Egypt became a large and prosperous state headed by a pharaoh. In addition, the nature of the pharaoh's power was one of divinity. The people believed him to be a representation of a god and, therefore, did not question his motives or actions.
4. Describe the early kingdom of Kush. What was its relationship with Egypt like?
The kingdom of Kush developed along the Nile River and it was the most important trading route between Africa and the areas to the north. During Egypt's New Kingdom era, the ruling Pharaoh took control of Kush. The Kush later regained their power and and ruled Egypt for a short time when Egyptian leaders were less powerful. Egyptians later drove them out and Kush's capital moved to Meroe.
5. How did the invasion of the Hyksos influence the later development of Egypt?
The Egyptian army was unprepared when the Hyksos attacked. This invasion ended the Egyptian Middle Kingdom era and also disrupted the political and social stability of Egypt. On the other hand, the invasion brought new inventions like the chariot, bronze weapons, and composite bows. Furthermore, Hyksos adapted to the Egyptian culture but they left behind their advanced inventions.
6. In what ways was the New Kingdom period of Egypt different from the earlier ones? What were the relations with Kush like during this period?
During the New Kingdom, Egypt expanded its borders through military conquest that allowed it to become a world power. Also, the pharaohs reached their peak of power and were consequently buried in the Valley of the Kings.
7. What was society like in Egypt and Nubia in terms of both social classes and gender roles?
Egyptian women stayed at home performing their duties and men worked. Society was divided into classes from this order of ranking: pharaoh, priests, nobles, craftspeople, merchants, peasants, and farmers. Nubia also had a patriarchal society that informed its government and family unit. Furthermore, Nubia had some women's rights but Egypt had laws that made women more independent compared to other classical civilizations.
8. What kind of transportation systems did the Egyptians use, and how did their transportation influence the development of their trade networks?
Ancient Egyptians used chariots, donkeys, boats, and camels to travel from one place to another. The usage of the seaway transport gathered more trade links from all over the world.
9. What was the significance of the cult of Osiris?
The cult of Osiris refers to a story in which a man named Sethe murders his brother, Osiris, and scatters his body. Osiris' wife, called Isis, gathers his husband's body parts and restores him to life in the underworld. In result, Osiris is associated with the Nile, crops, life or death, and immorality. Osiris judges the heart of the dead against the feather of the truth.
10. How did the Bantu Migrations influence the development of societies in sub- Saharan Africa?
The Bantu migrations influenced the development of societies by introducing metal work, variation in the crops cultivated, and the changes in population & language.