Egyptian ABC Book!

By: Abby Fulton

is for AkhenatenAkhenaten was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh.He was shunned from his family when he was young, possibly because of his odd features. He had an elongated face and very long fingers and toes. After his father died, his mother chose him over her other son to become pharaoh at age 18. Akhenaten was an awfully unusual pharaoh, for he took away all of the Egyptians’ many gods and replaced them all with his god, the Auten- the sun god. As well as this unusual move, Akhenaten moved the capital of Thebes to Armana, starting a whole new city. Akhenaten also changed the art style, by making it truthful and as people really were. An example of this is that Akhenaten had statues built of himself and they even showed his odd features. Ahenaten married Nefertiti an had 2 sons. He impacted art as well as changed their afterlife.

A

B is for Bes. Bes was an ancient spirit, known to ward and protect people of evil.He contributed the “sa” which is an ancient symbol of protection. He resembled a dwarf, with great big facial hair. Bes would be at most birthing ceremonies, booming instruments together to keep evil far away. Also he was featured on the disc-shaped plate, found on mummies’ masks.

is for Canopic jars. Canopic jars were used during the mummification process. They were the holders of the internal organs of the dead and readied to be mummified people. On top of the jars were lids made as the Four Sons of Horus. Imseti- the human-headed god, was where the liver was put. Hapy- the baboon-headed god, was where the Egyptians stored the lungs. Duamutef- jackal – headed god, in which the stomach was stored. Last, there was Qebehusenuef- the falcon-headed god, where the intestines were stored.

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DIs for Duamutef. Duamutef was the jackal-headed featured on a canopic jar. He was a son of Horus along with, Imsety, Hapy, and Qebehsenuef. He held the lungs. He was given his duty as a person or god present during the mummifying process by Anubis.

E

Is for Egypt. Egypt lived from 3,000 to 1,000 B.C.E. Egypt was full of Gods and Goddesses: Isis, Osiris, Nut, Geb, Ra ,and Horus. Egyptians populated the civilization. Pharaohs were the rulers. Inside Egypt there were pyramids, rivers, (Nile River) and more. Egypt was one of the most successful civilization ever.

FIs for Flail. The flail was a symbol of power, seen with the Pharaohs. It was seen with the crook on statues and monuments of Pharaohs. The crook was the symbol showing the Pharaoh’s nice side, where the flail was symbolized as “I am nice but sometimes I have to be mean”. You will see important mummies baring the Crook and Flail. They are placed in the mummies hands and crossed across their chest.

G

G is for Geb. Geb was the Egyptian’s Earth god. Geb fell in love with Nut, the Sky goddess. Their only problem was that Nut was married to Ra the son god, and god of all gods.Geb and Nut had Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nepthys. Geb is seen laying under Nut. He is the Earth and she is the sky.

is for Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was an ancient pharaoh and the first women pharaoh. She was made pharaoh when her husband died and her step-son was expected to become pharaoh, but he was too young, so Hatshepsut became pharaoh. She ruled from about 1,473 to 1,458 B.C.E. During Hatshepsut’s reign art and architecture flourished. Also she promoted trade to a far extent, trading with far countries, such as African Kingdom of Punt which was their biggest journey to trade. The African kingdom of Punt was at the southern edge of the Red Sea. On this expedition they took 5 ships along with them, holding gifts and trading supplies. Hatshepsut left behind an ancient monument, the temple at Dayr al-Bahari. Mainly the temple was built into a major cliff above the Nile. The entrance was guarded by 200 sphinx. Parts of Hatshepsut’s Reign were presented on walls.

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Hatshepsut’s temple

IIs for Isis. Isis was the goddess of motherhood, women, and the protector of children. She was the wife of Osiris and the daughter of Geb and Nut. Isis and Osiris were the parents of Horus. Isis was the one who found Osiris when Set locked him in a coffin and threw him down the Nile River also when Set chopped Osiris up and spread him through the 14 counties of Egypt. Isis is found with many different head-dresses, as in the sun, showing her power as a goddess. Isis was a noble goddess.

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Is for jewelry. Jewelry in ancient Egypt reached the height from then to now. The Middle Kingdom was especially great. Most royal people would wear jewelry of every sort. Princesses wore many headbands and head dresses. Gods and Goddesses also wore them as a symbol of power.

is for Khufu. Khufu was an ancient pharaoh of Egypt. He ruled from about 2,551 to 2,528 B.C.E , (23 years ). Khufu is mainly known for constructing the Giza Pyramid which is now one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Khufu was around in the Old Kingdom era, which was a strong age and was known for their pyramids. Khufu was a good pharaoh not only to his people but to himself, so much that he called himself a god.

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LIs for The Libyan Desert. The Libyan Desert was helpful for the Egyptians by supplying many resources. It supplied protection by being impassable. This helped the Egyptians by not having to guard and protect for themselves. Also it supplied them with many jewels and stones. Some examples are Amethyst, Turquoise, Copper, Limestone, Sandstone, and Granite. Most importantly was GOLD.

MIs for the Middle Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom was around from about 2,000 to 1,800 B.C.E. It was called the Reunification era because Egypt at that time was reunited and power was ablaze. Senusret was a pharaoh during this era. He built many monuments including the White Chapel. This era was filled with literature and religious monuments and temples.

N

Is for Nut. Nut was the sky goddess. She was married to Ra, the sun god, but fell in love with Geb, the Earth god. Nut and Geb had 4 kids Isis, Osiris, Set, and Nephthys. Legend says that Ra found out about Geb and told the air godto separate Nut and Geb. So that only at night Nut was allowed to see him. Every night Nut would swallow the sun and give birth to it every morning.

OIs for the Old Kingdom. The Old Kingdom was around from about 2,700 to 2,200 B.C.E. It was a very strong government ruled by the pharaohs. The Old Kingdom was the first to came before the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. This era was called the “pyramid age” because all of the pharaohs’ requests for pyramids as their tombs. Khufu and the Giza Pyramids were constructed during this time.

PIs for Pyramids. Pyramids were a main symbol of Egypt. They were built as tombs for Pharaohs and people of importance. The very first pyramid was created by Imhotep: Step Pyramid. Usually they were made of hard rock and then limestone covered it. A couple of examples are, The Step Pyramid, Giza, and the Bent Pyramid.

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Is for Quebehsenuef. Quebehsenuef was an ancient Egyptian son of Horus. He was the falcon headed god on the canopic jars. He was said to be brothers with Imsety, Hapy, and Duamatef. He was the head of the canopic jar which held the intestines. It was a myth that said Anubis gave the brothers their mummification duties. He was protected by Senlket.

RIs for Ramses II. Ramses was a very important pharaoh. He ruled Egypt from about 1,290 till 1,224 B.C.E, more than 60 years, which is the longest time of ruling. The great pharaoh was best known for his military, leadership, and many monuments. Ramses became a military leader at the age of 10. He had over 100 wives and even more children. He and the Hittites signed the very first Peace Treaty ever which lasted until 1,190. His most famous monument was the temple at Abu Simbel. Four statues sit on the base of a cliff on the Nile River all of Ramses himself. The inside of the monument is as amazing as the outside.

SIs for Social classes in Egypt. Egypt had many social classes, such as the slaves, peasants, artisans, scribes, priests, government officials, and highest up were pharaohs. The slaves were given no rights, only to rule under their master. Peasants were the largest social class, they were the farmers. Artisans were the craftspeople, carpenters, jewelers, leather and metal workers, painters, potters, sculptors and weavers. Next, were the scribes they were the writers for the pharaohs or important people, they also kept records. Priests’ biggest job were to communicate with the gods. Government officials assisted the pharaohs and helped make laws. Highest social class were the pharaohs, they ran most of Egypt.

TIs for Thebes. Thebes was the capital of Egypt from 3,200 B.C.E. It was located on the East of the Nile in Upper Egypt. This location was the ruling spot for many pharaohs. The capital was changed when Akhenaten was Pharaoh. This city has been through many hardships, although some monuments and temples still stand.

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U

Is for Ushabtis. Ushabtis were mini little people (workers). They were found in tombs to be made into slaves. These Ushabtis were created in Ancient Egypt because the Egyptians believed heavily in the afterlife and thought that slaves were needed to help them with their next life. Ushabtis were made of wood or limestone. They were named Ushabtis because Usheb means ”response”. This told the Egyptians that they would be very obedient. When they were put in the tomb a poem was read teaching or telling them to be good, hard workers. Usually there were 401 Ushabtis per tomb.

VIs for the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings was a place where pharaohs or people of importance and highly ranked got buried. It was located west of the Nile and across from Thebes. The New Kingdom people were the people who started the valley. The Valley of the Kings was used for about 500 years. 63 tombs were found in the Valley of the Kings.

WIs for White Chapel. The White Chapel was a building built by Senusret. It was built during the Middle Kingdom and made of pure alabestar. The pillars were decorated beautifully with scenes of Senusret wearing crowns and being honored. In the New Kingdom it was knocked down to use in Karnak’s temple. Now it is in the Open Air Museum.

XX is for Xerxes. Xerxes was the King of Persia. He ruled from 486 to 465 B.C.E. He was the son of Darius the Great and Atossa. During Xerxes’ reign he finished his father’s battle against Greece. Xerxes’ mother was the daughter of Cyrus the Great.

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Y is for Yuya. Yuya was an ancient Egyptian adviser to Amenhotep III. Yuya was married to Tuija. Together had Tiye, who became Amenhotep’s bride and Queen. He was sometimes called “ King’s Lieutenant ” and “ Master of the Horse”. They believe he was called the “ Father of the God” because he was Amenhotep’s father- in-law.

ZIs for Zoser. Zoser was an ancient pharaoh of Egypt. He was born in 2,667 to 2,648 B.C.E. He was the beginning of the Old Kingdom’s pharaoh. His reign was 29 years long. Zoser was the very first pharaoh to be buried in a pyramid. His pyramid was the Step Pyramid, created by Imhotep. Imhotep was his chief officer and was very important in Zoser’s eyes.

THE END!!BY : Abby Fulton!!!