Ancient History: Egypt : Upper Egypt

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Upper Egypt

The cataracts were __________.

Possible Answers:

marshy farmlands on the banks of the Nile River

white water rapids on the Nile River

bridges built across the Nile River

dams designed to control the flow of the Nile River

provinces in Upper Egypt

Correct answer:

white water rapids on the Nile River

Explanation:

The cataracts are a series of shallow, white water rapids found in stretches of the Nile River. During antiquity, the cataracts acted as a natural barrier that prevented trade from flourishing down the full extent of the Nile River into the heart of Africa.

Example Question #2 : Upper Egypt

Who was the oldest Egyptian king known by name? 

Possible Answers:

Amenhotep

Iry-Hor

Narmer

Thutmose I

Ka

Correct answer:

Iry-Hor

Explanation:

Iry-Hor was the first king of Egypt known by name, and likely ruled during the early 32nd century BCE. His tomb is the oldest burial place in the Abydos necropolis, and there was once controversy over whether or not he was actually a king. However, excavations of the necropolis confirmed that his tomb was of royal proportions, and an inscription found near Sinai in 2012 showed his name in the format of a ruler, so the controversy has largely been laid to rest. 

Example Question #3 : Upper Egypt

The ancient Egyptian city of Nekhen is more commonly called by its Greek name __________.

Possible Answers:

Thebes

Pi-Ramasses

Hierakonpolis

Memphis

Elephantine

Correct answer:

Hierakonpolis

Explanation:

Many rulers and cities in ancient Egypt are known to Egyptologists by both an Egyptian name and a Greek name. This is because many of the earliest histories of ancient Egypt were written by Greek sources and the names they gave to people and places have been passed on by later historians. Generally, it is conventional to refer to people and places by the name most commonly used to describe them, regardless of whether the name is Egyptian or Greek in origin. One city that is commonly called by both its Egyptian and Greek name is Nekhen, also known as Hierakonpolis. Nekhen is one of the earliest cities of Upper Egypt and was important in the formation of predynastic Egyptian culture.

Example Question #3 : Upper Egypt

These two city-states came together in the predynastic era to form a unified Upper Egyptian state?

Possible Answers:

Elephantine and Punt

Thebes and Memphis

Nekhen and Naqada

Badarian and Hermopolis

Gerzean and Faiyum

Correct answer:

Nekhen and Naqada

Explanation:

Nekhen (also called by its Greek name Hierakonpolis) and Naqada were two proto city-states which arose in Upper Egypt during the predynastic period. At some point, these two societies came together, along with numerous other smaller states, to form a unified Upper Egyptian society. Most likely they were slowly unified by a series of powerful predynastic rulers.

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