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Egypt
Questions 1
Ancient History
KEY
Ms. Ripley
Questions:
1.Explain the Egyptian calendar and how it came about.
The Egyptian calendar was divided into 3 seasons. Inundation, seed
and harvest. Each season had 4 thirty day months (with 5 extra days on
the harvest). The way it came about: They noticed that when the star
Sirius was aligned with the rising sun, the Nile flood level was at its peak.
They counted the number of days between the recurrences of these
events and determined the length of the year.
2.What is the width of the Nile flood plain?
The width of the Nile flood plain is between 1.5 km to 22 km wide!
3.What is the Rosetta stone and why is it significant in the study of
ancient Egypt?
The Rosetta stone is a rock slab (stone) that was found in Rosetta (an
Egyptian delta town). It was found during Napoleon’s campaign in 1799.
4.Who was Atum and what was his role in Egyptian religion?
Atum was the creator god (grandfather of cities). According to the
creation story, earth began with the emergence of primeval mound from
Nun, the waters of chaos. Standing on the mound was Atum. From
Atum (who was self created) was other gods/goddesses.
5.Explain the statement by Herodotus that the Egyptians “are
religious beyond measure more than any other nation.”
In every region in Egypt, religion was central. Egyptian religion grew out
of local traditions and varied from region to region.
Ms. Ripley
Egypt
Questions 1
KEY
Ancient History
Ms. Ripley
6.How did animals’ heads become incorporated into the images of the
Egyptian deities?
Animal heads encouraged soldiers in battle, the chieftains used animal
figureheads to represent desirable characteristics such as the speed
of the falcon or fearsomeness of the crocodile. Local deities initially
looked like animals, to symbolize their special qualities.
7.Who was Osiris and what was the legend about the primal struggle
for power?
Osiris represented the yearly life cycle of the Nile and was shown as a
human image. It was believed that Osiris had once ruled Egypt with
his wife and sister. He was murdered by his jealous brother. Isis (the
sister) put his body back together, after his resurrection; he retired to
become lord of the underworld. This story of death, resurrection, and
triumph established that Egypt would forever be ruled by a single
king. While the king lived, he was the embodiment of Horus, and when
he died he became Osiris, master of the afterlife.
8.Describe the process of embalming a body according to the writings
of Herodotus?
The process of embalming: Take a crooked piece of iron, and with it
draw out the brain through the nostrils.
Make a cut along the flank with a sharp Ethiopian stone and take out
the whole contents of the abdomen, which they then cleanse, washing in
palm wine and again with an infusion of pounded aromatics.
They fill the cavity with the purest bruised myrrh, with cassia, and
every sort of spicery and sew up the opening.
Ms. Ripley
Egypt
Questions 1
Ancient History
KEY
Ms. Ripley
The body is placed natrum (a salt bath) for 70 days, entirely covered
over.
The body is then washed, and wrapped round, from head to foot, with
bandages of fine linen cloth, smeared over with gum, which is used in
place of glue.
The body is given back to the relatives- who enclose it in a wooden
case shaped into the figure of a man.
They place the case in a chamber and upright against the wall.
Using Hieroglyphics
1.Write your full name in hieroglyphics.
2.Write out a message in hieroglyphics, minimum of 30 letters long.
Ms. Ripley