Ancient Egypt and Kush

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