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Ancient Egypt Vocab
Ancient Egyptian Religion, Writing, Arts & Architecture
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Polytheistic | Belief in multiple gods |
Ra/Re/AmunAtum | Sun God |
Osiris | Underworld God |
Isis | Love and protection Goddess |
Afterlife | Life after death is emphasized in this society |
Ka | One's soul that lives on after death; must identify with its body and doesn't leave the burial site (explains the purpose of mummification and filling tombs with items) |
Mummification | Complex, expensive method of embalming (preserving) a human body by treating it with wrapped cloth (for pharaohs and nobles) |
Sarcophagus | Mummies are preserved in this coffin-like enclosure |
Temples | Massive structures with columns that were dedicated to the gods and/or pharaohs that allowed people to worship and make offerings |
Pyramids | Massive royal tombs made out of limestone with triangular-shaped walls that met at a top point; built by slaves, symbolized Egypt's power and afterlife (The Great Pyramid of Giza/Khufu is 1 of the ancient world wonders and the largest pyramid today) |
Hieroglyphics | Egypt's complex writing system that included 600 plus pictures for objects, ideas, etc. (Read left to right or vice versa) |
Papyrus | Durable, long lasting, paper-like material from pressing and pounding layers of reeds (weeds along the Nile River) together |
Rosetta Stone | A 1799 discovery by a French soldier of a slab inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphics (a later Egyptian language along with Ancient Greek acted as the key to deciphering the written script) |
Sphinx | Imaginary creatures that included bodies and animals that were animal-like (meant to protect pyramids and tombs) |
Obelisk | Tall, 4 sided pillar monument with a pointed top (typically included hieroglyphics, images, etc.) |
Canopic Jars | Organs of the dead are preserved in these special jars and typically placed in tombs |