cataracts
rapids along a river, such as those along the Nile in Egypt
delta
a triangle-shaped area of land made from soil deposited by a river
Menes
(MEE-neez) (c. 3100 BC) Legendary Egyptian ruler, he unified the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt and built the new capital city of Memphis.
pharaoh
(FEHR-oh) the title used by the rulers of Egypt
dynasty
a series of rulers from the same family
Old Kingdom (Egypt)
the period from about 2700 to 2200 BC in Egyptian history that began shortly after Egypt was unified
Khufu
(KOO-foo) (ruled 2500s BC) Egyptian pharaoh, he ruled during Egypt's Old Kingdom and is known for the many monuments built to honor him.
noble
a rich and powerful person
afterlife
life after death, much of Egyptian religion focused on the afterlife
mummy
a specially treated body wrapped in cloth for preservation
elite
(AY-leet) people of wealth and power
pyramid
a huge triangular tomb built by the Egyptians and other peoples
engineering
the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes
Middle Kingdom (Egypt)
the period of Egyptian history from about 2050 to 1750 BC and marked by order and stability
New Kingdom (Egypt)
the period from about 1550 to 1050 BC in Egyptian history when Egypt reached the height of its power and glory
trade route
a path followed by traders
Queen Hatshepsut
(ruled c. 1503-1482 BC) Egyptian queen, she worked to increase trade with places outside of Egypt and ordered many impressive monuments and temples built during her reign
Ramses the Great
(RAM-seez) (late 1300s and early 1200s BC) Egyptian pharaoh, he expanded the kingdom and built lasting temples at Karnak, Luxor, and Abu Simbel. Ramses the Great is often considered one of Egypt's greatest rulers
hieroglyphics
(hy-ruh-GLIH-fiks) the ancient Egyptian writing system that used picture symbols
papyrus
(puh-PY-ruhs) a long-lasting, paper like material made from reeds that the ancient Egyptians used to write on
Rosetta Stone
a huge stone slab inscribed with hieroglyphics, Greek, and a later form of Egyptian that allowed historians to understand Egyptian writing
sphinx
(sfinks) an imaginary creature with a human head and the body of a lion that was often shown on Egyptian statues
obelisk
(AH-buh-lisk) a tall, pointed, four-sided pillar in ancient Egypt
King Tutankhamen
(too-tang-KAHM-uhn) (c. 1300 BC) Egyptian pharaoh, he died while still a young king. The discovery of his tomb in 1922 has taught archaeologists much about Egyptian culture
Piankhi
(PYANG-kee) (c. 751-716 BC) Ruler of Kush, he was one of Kush's most successful military leaders. His army captured all of Egypt.
trade network
a system of people in different lands who trade goods back and forth
merchant
a trader
exports
items sent to other regions for trade
imports
goods brought in from other regions
Queen Shanakhdakheto
(shah-nahk-dah-KEE-toh) (ruled 170-150 BC) Ruler of Kush, historians think she was the first woman to rule Kush. Her tomb is one of the largest pyramids in Mero.
King Ezana
(AY-zah-nah) (c. 300s) Aksumite ruler, he destroyed Mero and took over the kingdom of Kush around AD 350
ka
believed by Ancient Egyptians to be a person's life force
embalming
a complex method of preserving a body by wrapping it in linen cloths and bandages
Nile River
the longest river in the world
Pharaoh
means 'great house' and a title used by Egyptian rulers
Scorpion King
an Egyptian king who failed to unify Upper and Lower Egypt
Red and White Crown
symbolized the pharaoh's leadership over the Upper and Lower Kingdom of Egypt