| Term | Definition |
| cataracts | strong rapids |
| delta | triangle-shaped area of land made of soil deposited by a river |
| pharaoh | title used by the rulers of Egypt |
| dynasty | series of rulers from the same family |
| Old Kingdom | period in Egyptian history that lasted from about 2700BC to 2200BC |
| nobles | people from rich and powerful families |
| acquire | to get |
| Menes | legendary Egyptian ruler, he unified Upper and Lower Egypt and built new capital city, Memphis |
| Khufu | Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during Old Kingdom and built many monuments to honor him |
| Ramses the Great | one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs who expanded the kingdom and built lasting temples at Karnak, Luxor, and Abu Simbel |
| Queen Hatshepsut | Egyptian queen who worked to increase trade and built many impressive monuments and temples |
| King Tutankhamen | Egyptian pharaoh who died while still a young king. The discovery of his tomb taught much about Egyptian culture |
| Piankhi | Ruler of Kush whose army captured all of Egypt |
| afterlife | life after death |
| mummies | specially treated bodies wrapped in cloth |
| elite | people of wealth |
| 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 |
| method | a way of doing something |
| Middle Kingdom | period of order and stability that lasted until about 1750BC |
| New Kingdom | period during which Egypt reached the height of its power and glory |
| trade routes | paths followed by traders |
| contracts | binding legal agreements |
| hieroglyphics | Egyptian writing system |
| papyrus | long-lasting, paper-like material made from reeds |
| Rosetta Stone | a stone slab inscribed with hieroglyphics. Its discovery gave historians what they needed to read ancient 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. Usually stood on either side of a temple gate. |
| trade network | system of people in different lands who trade goods |
| merchants | traders who carried goods to different ports |
| exports | items sent out to other regions |
| imports | goods brought in from other regions |
| authority | power or influence |
| Queen Shanakhdakheto | first woman to rule Kush; has one of the largest pyramids in Meroe |
| King Ezana | Aksumite ruler who destroyed Meroe and took over Kush |
