Unit 2 History

Abraham

-Father of the Jews Introduced the belief of having a single god. God first spoke to Abraham, telling him to move his family from Mesopotamia to Canaan. God also promised to make Abraham the father of a great nation and to bless this nation. Abraham did as he was told, and his descendants became known as the Jewish people.

Rabbi

A Jewish scholar or teacher, especially one who studies or teaches Jewish law. A famous rabbi is Rabbi Yohanan ben Zaccai. open a Jewish school, with the help of other rabbis, in the town of Yavneh (YAHV-neh). When Jerusalem fell, Yavneh became the center of Jewish learning. At their school, Ben Zaccai and the other rabbis taught new rabbis.

Social Classes

Pharaoh- 1st on the pyramid, highest Government officials- 2nd on the pyramid Priests- 3rd on the pyramid Scribes- 4th on the pyramid Artisans- 5th on the pyramid Peasants- 6th on the pyramid, lowest There was little chance of moving to a higher class. Although, a way to move up to a different social class are by becoming a scribe.

Hieroglyphs

A symbol used in hieroglyphics, a system of writing developed around 3000 B.C.E. This writing system was quite complicated.

Valley of Kings

A valley in Egypt that Egyptians were built for the pharaohs.

General of the Armies

After the pharaoh, the top military commander in Egypt was ......... Advised the pharaoh in matters of war and national security, such as how to protect Egypt's borders from invaders. Helped the pharaoh make alliances with other kingdoms.

Temple of Jerusalem

Built by King Solomon. House the Ark of the Covenant and to serve as the center of Jewish worship. Building the ........ in Jerusalem was King-Solomon's major achievement.

King David

David established Jerusalem as a holy city. After escaping from Egypt and traveling in the wilderness, the Israelites returned to Canaan. It was here that they created a united kingdom, called Israel, during the reigns of King David and his son, King Solomon. Killed Goliath with only a slingshot and was later rewarded with becoming the king of the Israelites after the first king, Saul, fell in battle. David completed the defeat of the Philistines as well as other enemies. He united the Israelites into a single nation known as Israel. He created a strong central government. He gave the new kingdom its own army, courts, and officials. David himself served as the nation's chief priest. He was also a poet and a musician. Many of the Psalms in the Writings in the Hebrew Bible are attributed to David.

Scribes

Egypt's official writers and record keepers. Highly respected and well paid. Most..... worked for the government. Others worked for priests or nobles. Only men were allowed to be scribes. Came from all classes of society. Becoming a ...... was one of the few ways that men could rise above their parents' social class. Boys who wanted to become scribes had to attend scribe schools. Schools were run by priests. Most students came from artisan or merchant families. Very few boys came from the peasant class. Schooling started around the age of five. Spent 12 years or more learning hieroglyphs, the symbols used for Egyptian system of writing. Most students first mastered a simpler form of writing and then worked their way up to hieroglyphs. Memorize over 700 hieroglyphs. Spent as many as four years copying the signs. Practiced their writing on pieces of wood, flakes of stone, and broken bits of pottery. As their skills improved, students were allowed to write on papyrus. Students in scribe schools did not have an easy life. Classes sometimes lasted from dawn until sunset. Teachers were strict and often treated their students harshly. Teachers punished students for being lazy or for not paying attention. Beatings were common.

Pharaoh

Egypt's supreme ruler. Egyptian religion strengthened the pharaoh's authority. Believed to be gods, and their word was law. Top military commander in Egypt. They were kings, generals, and religious leaders, all combined. They owned all the land and were responsible for their people's well-being.

Flooding Season

Flooding season lasted from June to September. During this time, the Nile overran its banks and fertilized the fields. Farmers had to wait for the waters to go down before they could work the fields. In the meantime, they labored on royal projects, such as building pyramids and temples.

Exodus

God told Moses, "I will send you to the pharaoh, and you shall free my people." Moses went before the pharaoh and told him to let the Israelites go free. The pharaoh refused. God punished Egypt with ten terrible plagues. Finally, the pharaoh gave in. Moses began to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The pharaoh changed his mind. The Egyptian army chased the Israelites and nearly caught up with them at the edge of the Sea of Reeds. Moses raised his staff and the waters of the sea parted. The Israelites crossed safely to the other side. When the Egyptians tried to follow, the waters flooded over the army, drowning the soldiers. The Israelites escaped. Means "departure". Became a central event in the history of the Jewish people.

Government Officials

Government officials belonged to the highest class on Egypt's social pyramid, after the pharaoh. Their job was to assist the pharaoh in his or her role as supreme ruler of Egypt. Three important officials were the vizier (vuh-ZEER), the chief treasurer, and the general of the armies. Each had his own duties. High government officials led lives of luxury. Most were nobles who had great wealth, fine homes, and plenty of time to socialize. Banquets enjoyed by these wealthy Egyptians illustrate their grand lifestyle. Hosts took pride in the meal. Cooks might roast duck, goose, pigeon, quail, antelope, sheep, and goat. Dishes were piled high with special delicacies that might include figs, dates, grapes, and coconuts. A variety of breads and cakes and honey completed the feast.

Harvest Season

Harvest season began in March. Farmer's entire family helped with the harvest. Men cut down the plants with sickles (metal blades with short wooden handles). Women and children gathered the tall stalks of grain. During harvest time, everyone worked from dawn to dusk. Often sang songs to make the long hours of labor go more quickly. Sometimes, musicians played in the fields while the workers sang.

Rabbi Yohanan ben Zaccai

Helped preserve Judaism was Yohanan ben Zaccai. Begged the Jews to surrender to save Judaism. When they refused, he decided to approach the Romans for help. Had himself smuggled out of Jerusalem in a coffin. Met with a Roman general named Vespasian (vuh-SPAYzhee-ehn), and gained permission to open a Jewish school, with the help of other rabbis, in the town of Yavneh (YAHV-neh). When Jerusalem fell, Yavneh became the center of Jewish learning. At their school, Ben Zaccai and the other rabbis taught new rabbis. Teachers came from many places to study at Yavneh.

Artisans

Highly skilled laborers who created some of the most beautiful art objects in the ancient world. They rarely got respect from higher classes. Only the few who became masters at their craft were sometimes honored for their work. Specialized in any one of a number of crafts. Workers in this class included carpenters, jewelers, leather workers, metalworkers, painters, potters, sculptors, and weavers. Made many beautiful objects, including stunning jewelry and elegant furniture. Painters portrayed scenes of Egyptian daily life. Most artisans were men, but some women wove fabric, beaded clothing, and made perfume. The most skilled artisans were the stone carvers. Produced the statues, engravings, and reliefs found in Egyptian temples, tombs, and monuments.

King Tutankhaten

In 1922, archaeologists discovered the tomb of a pharaoh in the Valley of Kings. Inside a small burial chamber, they found three coffins nested inside each other. The smallest coffin was made of solid gold. It held the king's mummy. On the mummy's head was a magnificent golden mask. Jewelry and good luck charms lay on the mummy and in the wrappings that protected it. Other rooms of the tomb were filled with statues, weapons, furniture, and even a chariot. The treasures in King Tut's tomb provided an amazing glimpse into ancient Egypt. Died in 1323 B.C.E. He was 18 or 19 years old. Concluded that Tut died from complications from a broken leg, made worse by disease, probably malaria.

Planting Season

In October, the planting season began, and farmers sowed their fields with seeds. Biggest crops were wheat and barley, which were used to make bread. Worked in pairs to sow the fields. Farmer softened the earth with a plow pulled by cattle. Second person, often the farmer's wife, followed behind to scatter the seeds. Throughout the season, farmers carefully irrigated the land.

Jewish Diaspora

Invasion of Judah in 597 B.C.E. and the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 B.C.E. threatened the survival of Judaism. Thousands of Jews were exiled in Babylon. The scattering of the Jewish people outside their homeland, beginning in 586 B.C.E.

Monotheism

Israelites, later called Jews, believed that there is only one God. Judaism is the world's oldest ............ religion. Judaism teaches that God is the source of morality (standards of right and wrong). These ideas of right and wrong had not always been known in ancient civilizations. Jews learn about and follow their religion by studying their sacred texts. Through study and prayer, many Jews feel that God is close to them in their daily lives.

New Kingdom

Lasted from about 1600 to 1100 B.C.E. Called Egypt's Golden Age. During this time of peace and stability, ancient Egypt's power reached its height. Pharaohs increased trade and had huge monuments built. The pharaoh Hatshepsut (haht-SHEP-soot) ruled Egypt from about 1473 to 1458 B.C.E. Hatshepsut was Egypt's first female pharaoh. Under her rule, Egyptian art and architecture flourished. Hatshepsut was also known for encouraging trade. The pharaoh Ramses II (RAM-seez) ruled from about 1290 to 1224 B.C.E., during the New Kingdom. Called Ramses the Great, he is one of the most famous pharaohs. He reigned for more than 60 years, longer than almost any other pharaoh. He is best known for his military leadership and for building numerous monuments.

Old Kingdom

Lasted from about 2700 to 2200 B.C.E. During this time, early pharaohs set up a strong central government. They also had great pyramids built as tombs for themselves. Some historians call this time the Age of the Pyramids. Great Pyramid at Giza

Peasants

Made up the lowest and largest class in Egypt's social pyramid. Considered unskilled laborers. Egyptian society depended on their work. Grew the crops that supplied everyone with food. Peasants helped build monuments like the pyramids. Life revolved around the Nile River. Three seasons were the flooding season, the planting season, and the harvest season.

Basic Teachings of Judaism

Monotheism- The belief in one god. Judaism is the world's oldest monotheistic religion. Following Jewish Teachings- Following the teachings in the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud (TAHL-muhd) is central to Jewish life. The Torah instructs Jews about how to lead moral lives. Among Judaism's oldest laws and teachings are the Ten Commandments. Tell how to lead upright and honorable lives. The commandments also lay down standards of right and wrong, such as "You shall not steal" and "You shall not murder." Equality and Social Justice- Beginning with the Ten Commandments, Judaism has always been concerned with a code of ethics, or moral values of right and wrong. Unlike some other ancient civilizations, the Israelites did not view their leaders as gods. They believed that there is only one God, and even kings had to obey God's laws and teachings. Judaism teaches that God considers all people equal. Caring for the less fortunate people in society is a basic value in Judaism. The Importance of Study- Studying the Hebrew Bible, and especially the Torah, is very important in Judaism. Jews also study interpretations of the Hebrew Bible made by scholars and rabbis, or religious teachers. hose rabbis and scholars who were interpreting the basic teachings of the Torah made decisions that were passed down orally. In the 200s C.E., Jewish scholars began to write the Talmud, which contains this oral tradition along with academic analyses. The Talmud became a basic source of Jewish law. Later on, rabbis wrote their own studies of both the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud, continuing the tradition of interpreting the teachings of Judaism. Throughout history, Jews have kept their reverence for study and learning.

Vizier

More power than anyone except the pharaoh. Advised the pharaoh and carried out his commands. Appointed and supervised many of the other government officials. Served as a kind of chief judge. Other judges would bring him their toughest cases. Expected to be fair and neutral, showing no special favor to either side in a dispute. Gave this advice about being impartial, or not taking sides: "Regard one you know like one you don't know, one near you like one far from you." Often shown wearing white, the color of neutrality.

Chief Treasurer

Oversaw the government's wealth. Main duty was to collect taxes. Egypt's economy was based on goods rather than money. People paid their taxes in grain, cows, cloth, and silver.

King Solomon

Solomon built the great First Temple of Jerusalem.After escaping from Egypt and traveling in the wilderness, the Israelites returned to Canaan. It was here that they created a united kingdom, called Israel, during the reigns of King David and his son, King Solomon. King Solomon built Jerusalem's great First Temple. To the Israelites, and later the Jews, the city of Jerusalem and its Temple became powerful symbols of their faith in God. Building the First Temple in Jerusalem was King-Solomon's major achievement. He also strengthened the kingdom of Israel by making treaties with neighboring kingdoms. And he increased foreign trade and developed industries such as copper mining and metal working. Solomon was also a poet.

Judaism

The first religion to worship one God, developed among the ancient Israelites. teaches that God is the source of morality (standards of right and wrong). Through study and prayer, many Jews feel that God is close to them in their daily lives. Through study and prayer, many Jews feel that God is close to them in their daily lives. Studying the Hebrew Bible, and especially the Torah, is very important in Judaism.

Moses

The greatest leader of the Israelites was Moses. The Torah tells how he led his people out of slavery in Egypt. Moses told the Israelites that God would lead them to Canaan, the "promised land," in exchange for their faithful obedience. Moses also gave Judaism its fundamental teachings. The Torah tells how God gave Moses ten important commandments, or laws, engraved on two stone tablets. The books of the Torah are also called the Five Books of Moses.

Torah

The word Torah means "teaching." The Torah consists of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. This bible is also called the Tanakh (TAH-nahkh). The Torah contains written records and teachings of the Jews, and 613 commandments that direct moral and religious conduct.

Pharaoh Hatshepsut

The pharaoh Hatshepsut (haht-SHEP-soot) ruled Egypt from about 1473 to 1458 B.C.E. Hatshepsut was Egypt's first female pharaoh. Under her rule, Egyptian art and architecture flourished. Hatshepsut was also known for encouraging trade. One of her greatest accomplishments was her rise to power. Never before had a woman pharaoh ruled Egypt. At first, she shared power with her male relatives. However, she soon took over as sole ruler. Hatshepsut strengthened her position in several ways. She filled her government with loyal advisers. She demanded the same respect shown to male rulers. Sometimes, she dressed in men's clothing. She even put on the fake beard worn by male pharaohs. Artists were often instructed to portray her as a man. She also spread stories that her father was a god. Hatshepsut promoted trade with other countries. Her biggest trade expedition was to the African kingdom of Punt, at the southern end of the Red Sea. Over 200 men in five ships brought gifts and trade goods to Punt. Hatshepsut left behind a stunning monument to her reign—a great temple at Dayr al-Bahri (deer ahl-BAH-ray). The main part of the temple was built into a cliff above the Nile River. At the entrance were two tall, thin monuments called obelisks. The entrance was also graced by 200 sphinx statues. The sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man.

Pharaoh Khufu: The Pyramid Builder

The pharaoh Khufu (KOO-foo) ruled from about 2551 to 2528 B.C.E., during the Old Kingdom period. Today, he is best known as the builder of a famous pyramid.helped establish the pharaoh as a central authority. For example, he kept strict control over Egypt's food supply. He oversaw the harvest and the storage of extra grain. He also controlled a large network of government officials who carried out his laws. Khufu emphasized his supreme power by declaring himself a god. Khufu and other Old Kingdom pharaohs had magnificent pyramids built as tombs for themselves and their families. Khufu was responsible for the building of the Great Pyramid at Giza.

Pharaoh Khufu

The pharaoh Khufu (KOO-foo) ruled from about 2551 to 2528 B.C.E., during the Old Kingdom period. Today, he is best known as the builder of a famous pyramid. Not much is known about Khufu. Some stories describe him as a cruel, harsh ruler. Others say that he was powerful but kind Helped establish the pharaoh as a central authority. Kept strict control over Egypt's food supply, oversaw the harvest and the storage of extra grain, controlled a large network of government officials who carried out his laws. Declared himself a god. Had pyramids built as tombs for themselves and their families. Responsible for the building of the Great Pyramid at Giza. Building the Great Pyramid was an amazing feat. No one knows exactly how the Egyptians did it. Took about 20 years to complete. Had strict control of the building project, organized and fed thousands of workers.

Pharaoh Ramses II

The pharaoh Ramses II (RAM-seez) ruled from about 1290 to 1224 B.C.E., during the New Kingdom. Called Ramses the Great, he is one of the most famous pharaohs. He reigned for more than 60 years, longer than almost any other pharaoh. He is best known for his military leadership and for building numerous monuments. Ramses used his power to excess. He had over 100 wives, and more than 100 children. Had hundreds of statues of himself erected throughout Egypt. Some of them were over 60 feet high. Ramses was also a peacemaker. He and the Hittites signed the world's first peace treaty. This peace lasted until the Hittite Empire collapsed around 1190 B.C.E. One of Ramses' greatest projects was the temple complex at Abu Simbel. The main temple was carved into the side of a cliff on a bank of the Nile River. A smaller temple honored his favorite wife, Nefertari. Four giant statues of a seated Ramses framed the entrance to the main temple. The figures were carved right out of the rock face of the cliff. Ramses ordered more temples and monuments built than any other pharaoh in history. When he died, he was buried in the tomb that he had ordered workers to construct solely for him. His mummy is one of the best-preserved bodies ever found.

Middle Kingdom

The pharaoh Senusret I (SEHN-oos-ret) ruled from about 1971 to 1926 B.C.E., during the Middle Kingdom. Art, literature, and architecture flourished during his reign. Senusret's finest architectural achievement was the White Chapel. (A chapel is a small temple.) It was made of alabaster, a hard white stone. Some historians think that the chapel was originally covered in a thin layer of gold. Period of reunification Greatest accomplishments were in religious architecture. He had many temples, shrines, and religious monuments built and improved. Lasted from about 2000 to 1800 B.C.E.

Synagogue

The rabbis made the synagogue important. A house of worship. A place to study, to meet, and to gather socially. Made Jewish communities stronger.

Papyrus

Writing material

Pyramid of Giza

sat at the center of a huge complex of temples, statues, monuments, and smaller tombs. It was made of more than 2 million stone blocks, perfectly fitted together. Inside, tunnels led to several burial chambers. The king's chamber had six roofs to hold up the weight of the stone layers above it. Building the Great Pyramid was an amazing feat. No one knows exactly how the Egyptians did it. The pyramid took about 20 years to complete. Khufu had strict control of the building project. He organized and fed thousands of workers. The finished pyramid was a stunning monument to Egyptian engineering.