Ancient Egypt
By Michael Dalby - Block 4
Section A: Cultural Expression
Games
This was a type of game where you have a board and usually little chips on it and you go around the board. Board games were a favourite pass time for Ancient Egyptians and senet was the most popular.
Card Games-
Card games were probably next to board games for most variety, popularity, and have been played for hundreds of years.
Internet Games-
These games came with the popularity of the Internet, anyone could participate in anything with a click of a button. Internet games have bin become more popular over the years and some have millions of people hooked on them.
Wrestling-
This was more of an active game which was very usual in Egypt, kids always loved being out some and were very competitive. So this was a great way for kids to battle in competition.
Religion
-The Ancient Egyptians body's were made up of several parts including the heart, organs, stomach and more, and before sending the body into afterlife that's what they would have to take out except the heart.
-When buried the deceased begins a long journey through the underworld which is led by Anubis, (the god of the dead) in what is called the hall of two truths.
-The body is also provided tombs, grave goods, and offerings to preserve the body's and spirits of the deceased.
-Ancient Egyptians believed the average human possessed a ka which left the body at the point of death. Each person also had a ba which made every person unique, it gave them the characteristics. However earlier they believed that only Pharaohs had these.
-In early times the Pharaohs deceased was believed to ascend to the sky and dwell among the stars.
Gods/Goddesses Osiris
People believed that Osiris gave them the gift of barley, one of the most important crops to Ancient Egypt. He also teached agriculture, music, arts, and religion to his people. Osiris usually held the kings scepter and the judges whip, symbols of supreme authority that you see in all his pictures. When Osiris died any rituals were to ensure life after death in honour of Osiris.
Family Connections:
Osiris was the brother/husband of Isis. Also the brother of Nepthys and Seth. This king was father of horus, and his parents were Geb and Nut.
Role/Responsibility/Story:
Osiris's role was the god and ruler of the underworld. He was also the god of resurrection and fertility. Way back his brother Seth killed him with the help of many people to become the ruler. However later on Isis foreshortened Seth the ruler.
Mummification
-Ancient Egyptians believed that the soul left the body when dead, then the soul would return to the body after being buried.
-The Pharaohs of Egypt were usually mummified not the normal people, however some animals were mummified for religious reasons.
Who got it done:
-The normal citizens of Ancient Egypt did the mummifying, but before they did they practiced and perfected for almost 2,000 years!
Process:
-First the organs were removed and treated and replaced within the body. They next removed all the moisture from the body, then they were ready to wrap the body. Hundreds of yards of linen was used to wrap just one body, imagine how much would be needed for just 5 people! Finally the priests performed a religious rites at the tomb entrance to finish.
Section B: Cultural Structure
Social Organization of Ancient Egypt
-The social organization of Egypt was like a pyramid, at the top were Gods/Pharaohs, next was the Government officials, then the Soldiers, after was the Scribes, Merchants, Artisans, Farmers, and at the bottom was the Slaves and Servants.
Role of the Pharaoh
Role of the Pharaoh:
The Pharaoh owned all the land, made the laws, collected taxes, and defended Egypt against foreigners, he represented the gods on earth.
King Tut (Ancient Pharaoh
-King Tut otherwise known as Tutankhamun, ruled Ancient Egypt for 10 years from 1314 B.C. to 1324 B.C. age 9 to 19.
-He was born on 1305 B.C. and died around 1324 B.C.
Importance:
-King Tut accomplished little in his life, he didn't expand Egypt's borders, nor led his army to victory. So people ask why was he so famous, it's because he became ruler at the age of nine and because of his tomb, there is cool writing and cool drawings on the walls and you can even see King Tut's coffin. Scientists believe there are hidden chambers to the right and left of his tomb.
Pyramids
-Ancient Egyptians built these enormous Pyramids for religion, there were many tombs in them and many religious ceremony's were performed in them.
Structures:
-They did not exist as an isolated structure and was on made of one element. People say that the Sphinx protects the 3 Pyramids, and was built way before the Egyptians.
Famous Pyramid (Pyramid of Khufu)
-The Pyramid of Khufu incorporates about 2.3 million stone blocks weighing about 2.5 to 15 tons each.
-It was estimated that the workers put a block on the Pyramid every 2.5 minutes.
-Khufu was the son of Snefru and second ruler of the 4th dynasty.
Section C: Central Question
Why the Ancient Egyptian Culture is so Unique
Bibliography
-www.Egyptpast.com
-www.AncientEgypt.co.uk
-www.Encyclopedia.com