Instructions: Complete The Following Study Guide Either On W

Instructions complete The Following Study Guide Either On Word Or On P

Instructions Complete the following study guide (either on word or on paper, your choice) by answering the questions. Mid - Year Study Guide Egypt Which river(s) did Ancient Egypt begin settling near? What was unique about this river? What was the written language of the Egyptians called? Describe it. What invention(s)/accomplishment(s) came out of Egypt that are still used today? Egyptian religion was centered around what? Describe the Mummification process. Explain how Ancient Egyptian government was. Who was in charge, what was the social hierarchy? Describe the three kingdoms of Egypt; Old, Middle, New Mesopotamia Which river(s) did Ancient Mesopotamia begin settling near? What was the first civilization to emerge? What are the five characteristics of a civilization? What was the written language of the Mesopotamians called? Describe it. What was the unique nickname of Mesopotamia? What is an epic? Whose story was the Mesopotamian epic about? What invention(s)/accomplishment(s) came out of Mesopotamia? Describe the difference between Polytheism and Monotheism. Which was Mesopotamia? Israelites What region were the Israelites located in? What was the name of the promised land and why was it called the promised land? What is the sabbath? What are prophets? Who were, if any, prophets of the Israelites? What is the Israelite religion? Was it Polytheistic or Monotheistic? Describe the Maccabeus revolt. Define diaspora and how it relates to the Israelites Describe the Ten commandments Geography What is a continent? How many continents are there? What are the continents? How many Oceans are there? What are the Oceans? What is the Equator? The Prime Meridian? What is Longitude and Latitude? What is the difference between Archipelago, Straits, Bay, Islands? Historical ID: For the following IDs answer the 5Ws (Who, What, Where, When, Why) Hammurabi Moses Abraham David Solomon Hatshepsut Ramses II Menes Saul

Paper For Above instruction

The study of ancient civilizations provides insight into the origins of human societies and their enduring legacies. This comprehensive guide explores Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Israelites, along with geographical concepts and historical figures that shaped history.

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt began settling near the Nile River, which was unique because of its predictable flooding cycle, fertile soil, and vital role in agriculture and transportation. The Egyptians' written language was called hieroglyphics—a complex system combining logograms and alphabetic symbols inscribed on monuments, papyrus scrolls, and tombs. This scripting system facilitated administration, religious texts, and monumental inscriptions. Many Egyptian achievements, such as papyrus paper, the calendar, and advancements in medicine and architecture, are still influential today.

Egyptian religion centered around polytheism—the worship of many gods who governed natural and societal elements. The concept of the afterlife culminated in elaborate burial practices, notably mummification, involving the removal of internal organs, drying the body with natron, and wrapping it in linen to preserve it for eternity. Administratively, Egypt was a theocratic state ruled by pharaohs considered divine. Society was hierarchically structured, with the pharaoh at the top, followed by priests, scribes, artisans, laborers, and slaves.

Phases of Egyptian History

The three kingdoms of Egypt were the Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BC), Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BC), and New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BC). Each period was marked by stability, monumental construction, and expansion.

Mesopotamia

Ancient Mesopotamia was settled near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, which created fertile land ideal for agriculture but also posed challenges like unpredictable flooding. Mesopotamia's first civilization was Sumer, emerging around 3500 BCE. A civilization typically displays five characteristics: advanced cities, a government, complex religion, specialized labor, and social hierarchy. The Mesopotamian written language was called cuneiform—a system of wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets, used for records, laws, and literature.

Mesopotamia was often called the "Cradle of Civilization" because of its early developments. An epic is a long narrative poem that recounts heroic deeds; Mesopotamian epics often depicted stories of gods and heroes, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh about the Sumerian king Gilgamesh. The region contributed inventions like the wheel, plow, and algebra, and philosophical concepts such as astronomy and mathematics.

Polytheism—the worship of multiple gods—was dominant in Mesopotamia, contrasting with monotheism—the belief in one God—as practiced notably by the Israelites.

The Israelites

The Israelites were situated in the ancient Levant, primarily in the region called Canaan. The promised land, also known as Israel or Palestine, was called so because God promised it to the descendants of Abraham, according to biblical tradition. The Sabbath is a day of rest observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, honoring God's day of rest. Prophets were religious figures who conveyed God's messages; notable prophets include Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt, and others like Samuel and Isaiah.

The Israelite religion was monotheistic, worshipping Yahweh as the sole deity. The Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BCE) was a Jewish uprising against Hellenistic Seleucid rule, which led to the rededication of the Temple (Hanukkah). Diaspora refers to the dispersal of Israelites outside their ancestral homeland, often as a result of exile or migration, which led to the spread of Jewish communities worldwide.

Geography and Global Concepts

A continent is a large landmass; there are seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. The oceans include the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic. The Equator divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres, while the Prime Meridian divides it into eastern and western hemispheres. Longitude measures east-west position, while latitude measures north-south position.

An archipelago is a chain or cluster of islands; straits are narrow waters connecting larger bodies of water; a bay is a broad inlet of the sea partially enclosed by land; islands are landmasses surrounded by water, often found within archipelagos.

Historical Figures and IDs

Hammurabi: Who: King of Babylon; What: Developed Hammurabi's Code; Where: Mesopotamia; When: c. 1792–1750 BCE; Why: To establish law and order.

Moses: Who: Prophet and leader; What: Led Israelites out of Egypt; Where: Egypt to Canaan; When: traditionally dated around 13th–15th century BCE; Why: To free Israelites from slavery and deliver God's laws.

Abraham: Who: Patriarch of the Israelites; What: Patriarch and founder of monotheism; Where: Mesopotamia, migrated to Canaan; When: around 2000 BCE; Why: To establish a covenant with God.

David: Who: King of Israel; What: United Israel, established Jerusalem as capital; Where: Canaan; When: c. 1000 BCE; Why: To expand and consolidate the kingdom.

Solomon: Who: Son of David; What: Built the First Temple; Where: Jerusalem; When: c. 970–931 BCE; Why: To centralize worship and strengthen Jerusalem.

Hatshepsut: Who: Female Pharaoh of Egypt; What: Ruled Egypt and undertook building projects; Where: Egypt; When: c. 1479–1458 BCE; Why: To maintain stability and expand trade.

Ramses II: Who: Egyptian Pharaoh; What: Known for military campaigns and monumental architecture; Where: Egypt; When: c. 1279–1213 BCE; Why: To restore empire and demonstrate divine power.

Menes: Who: Legendary Egyptian ruler; What: Often credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt; Where: Egypt; When: circa 3100 BCE; Why: To establish stable rule.

Saul: Who: First king of Israel; What: United Israelite tribes under monarchy; Where: Canaan; When: around 1020 BCE; Why: To defend against enemies and establish centralized leadership.

Conclusion

Understanding the development of ancient civilizations offers valuable insights into the origins of governance, religion, and culture that continue to influence the world today. From the mighty Nile to the Mesopotamian plains and the enduring legacy of the Israelites, these societies laid the foundation for modern civilization through innovation, faith, and societal organization.

References

• Assmann, J. (2008). Egypt's Myths and Mysteries. Harvard University Press.