Egypt Block IIEssential Guided Reading Questions For Chapter 5Lesson 2

How was Ancient Egypt governed? How was the pharaoh both a political

leader and a religious leader? What kind of religion did the ancient

Egyptians practice? Why did Egyptians protect a person’s

body after death? Why and how were pyramids built? How was Egyptian society organized?

Chapter 5 Lesson 2 p. 108-119

How was Ancient Egypt governed? Ruled by pharaohs – generational – family

member Pharaohs in charge of trade Theocracy – ruled by one Three kingdoms (time periods) – Old, middle

,new Controlled both upper and lower Egypt Pharaoh’s thought of as a god – like a

dictator Appointed bureaucrats and political leaders

to carry out his orders. Pharaoh had total power and had to be

obeyed

How was the pharaoh both a political leader and a religious leader? Thought of as a god in human form He was in charge of construction of

pyramids In charge of food growth and distribution In charge of everything Attended and led religious ceremonies Collected taxes

What kind of religion did the ancient Egyptians practice? Polytheistic – believing in more than one god Practiced mummification to preserve the

body for the after life Belief that there was life after death If you lived a good life in this world, you

would have a good life in the next life Whatever the pharaoh believed and

worshipped was done by the people

Why did Egyptians protect a person’s body after death? belief that there was another life

Why and how were pyramids built? First built as pharaoh’s tomb Became a Seven Wonder of the World Built by slaves and farmers and

fishermen… Made out of limestone and sandstone Took decades to build Used wooden sleds to drag stones around

and float down the Nile There are many different kinds of

pyramids Grave robbers

How was Egyptian society organized? Top of the “Social Pyramid” was the pharaoh Next was the priest and nobles and

commanders Next were traders, artisans, scribes, Last were farmers and herders Slaves and unskilled workers Born into your social role but could be moved

up by the pharaoh At the peak there were 5 million people living

in Egypt