Chapter 2 Section 1: The Nile Valley Flashcards Preview

Grade 6 Social Studies > Chapter 2 Section 1: The Nile Valley > Flashcards

Flashcards in Chapter 2 Section 1: The Nile Valley Deck (27)
Loading flashcards...
0
Q

What is the name of the wild rapids formed by the narrow cliffs and boulders of the Nile river?

A

Cataracts

1
Q

Where did Egyptian civilization begin?

A

The Nile River Valley

2
Q

What is the name of the area where the Nile river fans out and creates an area of fertile soil?

A

The Nile River Delta

3
Q

What physical features border the Nile river on the east and west?

A

The Eastern and Western Desert

4
Q

How might the deserts of Egypt influence how ancient Egyptians viewed the Nile?

A

To the ancient Egyptians, the Nile was a precious gift.

5
Q

What is the name for the vast desert west of the Nile River Valley?

A

The Sahara, the largest desert in the world.

6
Q

What useful purpose that the deserts serve for the Egyptians?

A

They kept outside armies away from Egypt’s territory.

7
Q

Besides the deserts, what other geographic features protected that Egyptians?

A

To the far south the cataracts blocked enemy boats from reaching Egypt.

To the north, the Delta marshes offered no harbor for invaders.

8
Q

What is papyrus?

A

A reed plan that grew along the Nile.

9
Q

What did the Egyptians use papyrus for?

A

To make baskets, sandals, and river rafts. Later, they used it to make paper.

10
Q

What was the name of the Egyptian writing system?

A

Hieroglyphics

11
Q

What is hieroglyphics?

A

The Egyptian writing system that combined both picture symbols and sound symbols.

12
Q

Who could read and write in Egypt?

A

Only specially trained men called scribes who studied at temples.

13
Q

How did living on the banks of the Nile help farmers?

A

The Nile provided water and regular yearly flooding left behind a layer of dark fertile soil or mud.

14
Q

Why did the Egyptians call their land Kemet, which means, “The Black Land?”

A

Because annual flooding left behind dark fertile silt or mud.

15
Q

What did Egyptian farm surpluses free the people to do?

A

They could become artisans and weave cloth, make pottery, carve statues, or shape copper into weapons or tools.

16
Q

Why did Egypt need a government?

A

To build and maintain irrigation systems and store and pass out surplus grain, and settle land ownership disputes.

17
Q

Who was Narmer and what did he do?

A

He was the king of upper Egypt. He led his armies north and took control of lower Egypt uniting the two kingdoms in 3100 BC.

18
Q

What is a dynasty?

A

Dynasty is a line of rulers where power is transferred from father to son to grandson.

19
Q

How were the kingdoms of Upper Egypt and lower Egypt combined?

A

About 3100 BC, Narmer, the king of upper Egypt, led his armies north and took control of lower Egypt. The two kingdoms became unified.

20
Q

How was the Egyptian society divided?

A

Egypt’s society was divided into upper-class priest and nobles, middle-class artisans and merchants, and lower-class workers and farmers.

21
Q

How was Egyptian society organized?

A

The top was the Pharaoh and his family. Below the pharaoh were priests and Nobles. Then traders artisans shopkeepers and scribes. Then farmers and herders, and lastly unskilled workers.

22
Q

This papyrus and how did the Egyptians use it?

A

Papyrus is a reed plant originally used to make sandals, baskets, and river rafts. Later it was used to make paper.

23
Q

What rights did women have an ancient Egypt?

A

Women could own and pass on property. They could buy and sell goods, make wills, and obtain divorces. Upper class women were in charge of temples and could perform religious ceremonies.

24
Q

What three things lead to the growth of government in ancient Egypt?

A

Irrigation systems had to be built and maintained. Surplus grain had to be stored and passed out in times of need. Disputes over landownership had to be settled.

25
Q

How did the geography of the Nile River Valley lead to the growth of a civilization there?

A

The river valley provided rich farmland and a stable water supply, while the deserts, delta, and cataracts kept enemies out.

26
Q

What was the significance of Narmer’s double crown?

A

To symbolize the kingdom’s unity, Narmer wore a double crown. The helmet like white crown represented upper Egypt and the red crown represented lower Egypt.