Egypt Flashcards
(53 cards)
What is the most important geographical feature of Egypt?
The Nile River.
What is the world’s longest river?
The Nile River.
What did the annual flooding of the Nile leave behind?
A fresh deposit of rich, dark silt, which led the Egyptians to call their land ‘Kemet’ (the black).
How did the flood of the Nile impact Egypt?
It nourished the land, leading to vegetation and more materials for construction.
What was the contrast between life along the Nile and the surrounding desert?
There was life along the Nile, but nothing grew beyond it in the desert.
What was the Egyptian concept of kingship?
Pharaohs were believed to be descendants and reincarnations of gods, given a divine status, and served as mediators between people and the gods.
What type of religion did the ancient Egyptians follow?
Polytheism, where gods were manifested in every aspect of nature and influenced human life and the order of the universe.
How did Egyptians view death?
Death was considered a transition to another existence, with a focus on permanence, stability, eternity, and life after death.
Who was Osiris before becoming the god of the underworld?
He was the god of vegetation.
Who was Isis?
The divine mother, sister, and wife of Osiris.
Who was Horus?
The falcon god or sky god, the miracle baby of Isis and Osiris.
Who was Hapy?
The god of the Nile.
Who was Seth?
The god of storms and violence; brother of Isis and murderer of Osiris.
Why was mummification important?
It prepared the body for the afterlife, as the ‘Ka’ (soul) was believed to live beyond using the same body.
How long did the mummification process take?
72 days.
How was the brain removed during mummification?
Through the nostrils.
What organs were preserved in mummification?
Organs vital for living were preserved, while the heart was left in place because intelligence was believed to come from the heart.
What were the three main uses of Egyptian art?
Ornamentation, recording history, and veneration of the gods.
What did the Ankh symbolize?
Eternal life; gods were often seen holding it, signifying the Breath of Life.
What did the Scarab symbolize?
Rebirth and eternal life; associated with the god Khephera, who moved the sun.
What did the Cobra symbolize?
The fiery eye of Re and protection, often placed on the king’s body.
What did the Sundisk represent?
The emblem of the sun god, often depicted as a winged sun disk.
What did the Eye of Horus symbolize?
Healing and protection.
What did the Lotus Flower symbolize?
Sun, creation, and rebirth; it closes at night and blooms at dawn.
