Ancient History: Egypt : Ancient History: Egypt

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Ancient History: Egypt

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #231 : Ancient History: Egypt

Canopic jars were used __________.

Possible Answers:

to store removed organs

by the Sea-Peoples on long distance voyages 

by the Hyksos on the battlefield

to transport wine and beer

to preserve food

Correct answer:

to store removed organs

Explanation:

Canopic jars were used by the ancient Egyptians to store removed organs and entrails. The process of mummification involved the removal of all organs (except the heart). These organs were then placed into so-called Canopic jars to be stored.

Example Question #12 : The New Kingdom (1550 1077 Bce)

Which of these features is indicative of art from the Amarna Period?

Possible Answers:

the absence of depictions of women

more stern and serious depictions of human figures

the anthropomorphization of the Gods

more realistic depictions of human figures

less realistic depictions of human figures

Correct answer:

less realistic depictions of human figures

Explanation:

The Amarna Period is the name given to the reign of Akhenaten and his religious reformation. During the Amarna Period, as a result of the social and religious changes affected by Akhenaten, there were several notable changes in artistic style. These include the rendering of the Sun God, which had previously been depicted in human form. Under Akhenaten, the focus was changed to reflect the importance of the sun’s disc-shape and the significance of the sun’s rays. It also became common during the Amarna Period to depict humans less realistically and also to focus on their personal lives.

Example Question #232 : Ancient History: Egypt

What is the significance of the “Theban Peak”?

Possible Answers:

It was the site of the temple complex of Karnak.

many rulers of the New Kingdom were interred beneath it

it is where the ruling palace of Akhenaten was constructed

it is where the Egyptians believed the “primordial hill” appeared during creation

many rulers of the New Kingdom were coronated atop it

Correct answer:

many rulers of the New Kingdom were interred beneath it

Explanation:

The “Theban Peak,” generally called el-Qurn locally, is a natural pyramid found in the Valley of the Kings. Many rulers of the New Kingdom (beginning with Thutmose I) were buried underneath the mountain; interred in solid rock.

Example Question #233 : Ancient History: Egypt

The population of Egypt during the height of the New Kingdom was approximately __________.

Possible Answers:

ten million

forty million

twenty-five million

five million

fifteen million

Correct answer:

five million

Explanation:

The population of Egypt during the height of the New Kingdom was approximately five million. Some scholars have put the figure as low as three million, whilst others have put the figure as high as eight million. Estimating population statistics is notoriously difficult for historians of antiquity who have to rely on incomplete archaeological records and biased ancient sources.

Example Question #234 : Ancient History: Egypt

The Battle of Megiddo, in the fifteenth century, was fought against __________.

Possible Answers:

the Libyans and the Sea-Peoples

the Nubians and the Assyrians

the Canaanites and the Mittani

the Persians and the Medes

the Hittites and the Hyksos

Correct answer:

the Canaanites and the Mittani

Explanation:

The Battle of Megiddo was fought during the fifteenth century BCE between the forces of Egypt, led by Thutmose III, and an alliance of Canaanite and Asiatic city-states (including the influential Mittani). It ended in victory for the Egyptian forces and was an important battle in the territorial expansion of Thutmose III’s reign.

Example Question #235 : Ancient History: Egypt

Which city was built around 1346 BCE by the Eighteenth Dynasty (New Kingdom) Pharaoh Akhenaten and subsequently served as the Egyptian capitol until his death in 1332 BCE?

Possible Answers:

Heliopolis

Amarna

Thebes

Avaris

Abydos

Correct answer:

Amarna

Explanation:

The Pharaoh Amenhotep IV, engaged in a radical transformation of Egyptian religion by essentially abandoning the polytheistic pantheon and instituting the worship of Aten, the sun disk (which was originally conceptualized as an aspect of the god Ra). In the fifth year of his reign (1346 BCE), he changed his name to Akhenaten in honor of the Aten, and in the same year he founded the city of Amarna from scratch to serve both as his capitol and the center of solar worship. Avaris is the city in Lower Egypt that was developed by the Hyksos as their capitol. Heliopolis, Abydos and Thebes were longstanding and previously-settled Egyptian cities, although since Heliopolis had long since been established as a center for the worship of the sun god Ra, Akhenaten did construct a temple for Aten in that city.

Example Question #231 : Ancient History: Egypt

What is the primary language and script of the Amarna letters, which document diplomatic correspondence between Akhenaten's government at Amarna and Egyptian ambassadors in the Levant and beyond?

Possible Answers:

Sumerian, cuneiform

Canaanite, alphabet

Egyptian, hieroglyphs 

Akkadian, cuneiform

Egyptian, hieratic

Correct answer:

Akkadian, cuneiform

Explanation:

The bulk of the Amarna letters are written in the East Semitic language Akkadian, which originated as the language of the Babylonians in Mesopotamia but became the lingua franca and diplomatic language throughout the whole of the Fertile Crescent. This very fact, as well as the content of the letters themselves, are highly significant because they indicate that the administrative and diplomatic Egyptian elite were not only multi-lingual but  also deeply engaged in diplomacy and international affairs in order to project and maintain the power of the Egyptian state beyond its borders. The script used by the Akkadian language (and the Amarna letters) was the logographic cuneiform system developed in Mesopotamia. Nevertheless, scholars also find immense significance in the Amarna letters because of their early evidence of Canaanite proper names and other linguistic features, albeit in the cuneiform script. This is because the splitting of proto-Canaanite into its descendant languages (including Hebrew and Phoenician), as well as the earliest evidence of writing in those languages (in direct correlation to the invention of the alphabet) did not occur for another three or four centuries after the Amarna letters were written. 

Example Question #232 : Ancient History: Egypt

Why are Egyptologists reluctant to make sweeping conclusions about Egyptian urban life based on the evidence found at El-Amarna?

Possible Answers:

The city appears to have been primarily inhabited by Greek colonists and merchants.

None of these answers are accurate; El-Amarna is the most important archaeological site for modern Egyptologists.

The city was only occupied during the Hyksos occupation of Egypt.

The city was only briefly inhabited, during the unusual reign of Akhenaten.

The city appears to have been only inhabited by women, most likely cult worshipers.

Correct answer:

The city was only briefly inhabited, during the unusual reign of Akhenaten.

Explanation:

El-Amarna (often called Akhetaten) was founded by Akhenaten as the capital of his newly reformed Egypt. It was only briefly inhabited, during the life of Akhenaten, before being abandoned upon his death. Egyptian religion and society was quite different under Akhenaten’s reign and, as a result, Egyptologists are reluctant to base their conclusions about Egyptian society on evidence drawn solely from El-Amarna.

Example Question #19 : The New Kingdom (1550 1077 Bce)

Which pharaoh is known as the "Boy King"?

Possible Answers:

King Akhenaten

Tuthmosis II

King Tutankhamen

Hatshepsut

Correct answer:

King Tutankhamen

Explanation:

King Tutankhamen was known as the Boy King. He was the son of Akhenaten, and he died when he was only 19 years of age. "King Tut", as he is called, basically got rid of his father's ideals of monotheism and re-instilled the polytheism of many gods and goddesses. 

Example Question #236 : Ancient History: Egypt

During the time of the Warrior Pharaohs, the capital of Egypt was moved to what city?

Possible Answers:

Memphis

Avaris

Giza

Thebes

Correct answer:

Thebes

Explanation:

During the wartimes of the New Kingdom, the capital of Egypt was moved from Memphis to Thebes. This was because Memphis no longer offered much protection as Lower Egypt was under constant attack. In contrast, Upper Egypt offered more safety, so the capital was moved to a prominent city in this region, Thebes.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors