cataracts
strong rapids
delta
a triangle-shaped area of land made from soil deposited by a river
Menes
ruler who wanted to unite Upper and Lower Egypt
pharaoh
the title used by the rulers of Egypt
means "great house
dynasty
a series of rulers from the same family
Old Kingdom
a period in egyptian history that lasted from about 2700 bc to 2200 bc
Khufu
most famous pharaoh of the Old Kingdom who is best known for the monuments built to him
nobles
people from rich and powerful families
afterlife
life after death
mummies
specially treated bodies wrapped in cloth
elite
people of wealth and power
pyramids
Huge stone tombs with four triangle-shaped walls that met in a point on top
engineering
the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes
Middle Kingdom
a period of order and stability that lasted until about 1750 bc
New Kingdom
the period during which Egypt reached the height of its power and glory
trade routes
paths followed by traders
Queen Hatshepsut
female Egyptian pharaoh who expanded Egyptian trade routes
Ramses the Great
a pharaoh who reign was the longest in Egyptian history
hieroglyphics
an ancient Egyptian writing system in which pictures were used to represent ideas and sounds
papyrus
a long-lasting, paper-like material made from reeds
Rosetta Stone
a huge stone slab inscribed with hieroglypics that allowed historians to understand Egyptian writing
sphinxes
imaginary creatures with the bodies of lions and the heads of other animals or humans
obelisk
a tall, four-sided pillar that is pointed on top
King Tutankhamen
the "Boy King"; when his tomb was discovered in 1922, the beautiful gold objects found there helped historians understand the Egyptian way of life
Piankhi
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
merchants
traders
exports
items sent out to other regions
imports
goods brought in from other regions
Queen Shanakhdakheto
the first woman to rule Kush
King Ezana
Aksum King that destroyed Meroe and took over Kush.
acquire
to get
method
A way of doing something
contracts
binding legal agreements
authority
power or influence