Vocabulary - Chapter 8: The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

3 periods of Ancient Egypt

-3 periods of stability and unity under the rule of pharaohs Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom

Egypt's Middle Kingdom

Period of Reunification because it followed years of chaos and disunity. During this era, Egyptians enjoyed many great achievements in literature, art, and architecture.

treaty

a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states; Ramses and the Hittites signed the world's first peace treaty.

sphinx

a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man.

Hatshepsut

1st female pharaoh who expanded Egypt through trade with other countries; One of her greatest accomplishments was her rise to power. Never before had a woman pharaoh ruled Egypt. Known for the expedition to the kingdom of Punt.

White Chapel

A small temple made of alabaster, a hard white stone. Some historians think that the chapel was originally covered in a thin layer of gold. Beautiful artwork decorated the chapel's pillars. Carved scenes showed the pharaoh with various gods. Birds, animals, and Egyptian symbols were also depicted.

King Tut

A young king whose tomb was filled with jewelry, robes, burial masks, and ivory statues. He is known for the treasures in his tomb, more than his accomplishments as ruler.

Egypt's Old Kingdom

Also called Age of the Pyramids. During this time, early pharaohs set up a strong central government. They also had great pyramids built as tombs for themselves.

Temple complex at Abu Simbel

Built by Ramses The Great, the temple was carved into the side of a cliff near the Nile River. 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. They are among the finest examples of the artistic skill of Egyptian sculptors.

Ramses II

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.

Egypt's New Kingdom

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.

Karnak

In Thebes where many ancient temples and monuments were located; World's largest religious complex

Dayr al-Bahri

Pharaoh Hatshepsut's great temple, carved into limestone cliffs near the Nile River

Khufu

Pharaoh who built the Great Pyramid at Giza. He helped establish the pharaoh as a central authority (the government or controlling power).

pharaoh

Pharaohs were believed to be gods They owned all the land and were responsible for their people's well-being. They were kings, generals, and religious leaders, all combined.

pyramids

built as tombs for pharaohs and their families. After they died, pharaohs were thought to enter an afterlife that would never end. Their tombs were built to last. Many objects were buried with the pharaoh for use in the next world.

Great Pyramid at Giza

largest of the three pyramids at Giza; used 2 million stone blocks and included tunnels inside.

Senusret I

strong leader who ruled a stable, unified Egypt. Art, literature, and architecture flourished during his reign. Senusret's finest architectural achievement was the White Chapel.

Mummification

the Egyptian method of preserving (keep from decaying) dead bodies by wrapping them in cloth; they wanted to preserve the bodies of the pharaohs for the afterlife

reign

the period of time someone rules, usually royalty.