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Egypt
Questions and Answers
Review…Recall…Reflect
(page 63)
1. List & describe three ways that the environment
shaped Egyptian culture and society.
The Nile, Western and Eastern Deserts, and
the Mediterranean Sea were
environmental factors which shaped
Egypt.
The Nile provided transportation, irrigation,
and communication networks.
The desert protected Egypt from invasion
and allowed it to remain isolated.
The Mediterranean Sea provided the
transportation route to Egypt’s trading
partners.
2. Explain the meaning and significance of the
double crown of Egypt.
The double crown of Egypt signifies the
unification of Upper and Lower Egypt in
3100 BCE, under the reign of King
Menes.
Why do you think Egypt became a united kingdom
earlier than Mesopotamia?
Egypt, because of its isolation and
commonalities, was likely able to unify
sooner than Mesopotamia.
3. Briefly explain how the political, economic, and legal
structures of ancient Egypt were shaped by religious beliefs.
The political hierarchy of Egypt revolved
around the king, or Pharaoh, who was
believed to be the earthly
embodiment of the god Horus.
This allowed the king to rule with a sense
of divine right.
Egyptian law revolved around the concept
of divine inspiration.
In the Egyptian economy, the Pharaoh
owned all the land of Egypt, the
people, and their possessions.
• The goddess Ma’at personified the
essential foundations of Egyptian law.
The Mummification Ritual
(page 71)
1. Explain how mummification suited the Egyptian notions
of the afterlife. Would mummification suit your beliefs?
Why or why not?
The Egyptians believed in an afterlife.
The essence of the body, Ka, would return to the preserved body, and it
was therefore essential that the body remain as life-like as
possible.
The process of mummification represents a time-honoured need to
preserve the body, which ensured the continuation of the spirit or
soul in the afterworld.
2. The mummy has provided much inspiration for
books, movies, stories and exhibits. Pick one medium
and imagine you have to pitch the concept to a
publisher, producer, or gallery. Explain why you think
this would interest the public.
The concept of
mummification has
always interested
people. It has an
aspect of the
macabre, and the
process holds a
fascination for all.
Review…Recall…Reflect
(page 74)
1. With the concept of a god-king, the importance of having a
strong Pharaph was crucial to Egypt’s stability. Respond to this
statement using the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom to support
your answer.
Hatshepsut,
Tuthmosis III,
Akhenaton,
Tutankhamen,
Ramses II were
all pharaohs of
the New
Kingdom
considered
strong.
Factors that led to their success: army,
expanding trade routes, building of
monuments, and internal peace.
2. Outline the funeral process for a wealthy ancient
Egyptian from the time of death, through the mummification
process, to the final laying to rest in the tomb.
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A period of mourning takes place
The body is then transferred from home of the
deceased to the embalmers and mummified, which
takes app. 70 days.
The body is then returned to the family, and the
procession to the tomb begins.
At the tomb, the priest touches the body’s eyes, and
the grave goods are lowered into the tomb.
The body is then lowered into the tomb, and the roof
is sealed.
3. How did the concept of Ma’at help to shape
the way Pharaohs governed and the way in
which people lived their lives.
Ma’at was the central premise of Egyptian stability.
It was the concept of order, truth, and justice, and it formed
the overriding principle of harmony.
Egyptians believed that living in accordance of Ma’at would
achieve harmony with the gods and assure a place in
the afterworld.
The Pharaoh was believed to be an essential entity in the
Ma’at. If his world remained harmonious, then so too
would the peoples’ of Egypt.
Thus all laws and decisions were aimed at appeasing the
harmony of Ma’at, and maintaining order, truth, and
justice.