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NSWAncient HistoryQuick questions
Section II (Ancient Societies): Old Kingdom Egypt to the death of Pepy II
Quick questions on Old Kingdom Egypt context (HSC Ancient History Section II)
15short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is dynastic framework?Show answer
Egyptologists divide Egyptian history into 31 dynasties (Manetho's framework, c. 3rd century BC).
What is old Kingdom?Show answer
Dynasties III to VI (c. 2686-2160 BC). Some include early Dynasty III (Djoser).
What is pre-Old Kingdom?Show answer
Predynastic, Early Dynastic (Dynasties I-II), and the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by Narmer/Menes (c. 3100 BC).
What is post-Old Kingdom?Show answer
First Intermediate Period (c. 2160-2055 BC), characterised by political fragmentation.
What is narmer/Menes?Show answer
Traditionally credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt. Established the First Dynasty.
What is early Dynastic Period?Show answer
Around 2900-2686 BC. Consolidation of the unified state. Royal cemeteries at Abydos.
What is old Kingdom begins?Show answer
Capital moved to Memphis.
What is pharaoh as god-king?Show answer
The pharaoh was Horus-incarnate, son of Ra. Divine kingship was the foundational political concept.
What is vizier?Show answer
Chief administrator. Reported to the pharaoh.
What is nomarchs?Show answer
Regional governors. Initially appointed by the pharaoh; later became increasingly hereditary, contributing to the eventual fragmentation of central authority.
What is court bureaucracy?Show answer
Scribal administrators, treasurers, military officers. Memphis-centred.
What is priesthood?Show answer
Multiple priesthoods. The sun cult of Ra at Heliopolis grew in importance through the Old Kingdom.
What is dynasty III?Show answer
- Djoser (c. 2670 BC). His Step Pyramid at Saqqara, designed by Imhotep, was the first large-scale stone monument in Egypt.
What is dynasty IV?Show answer
- Sneferu (c. 2613-2589 BC). Three pyramids: Meidum (collapsed during construction), the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur (angle changed mid-construction), and the Red Pyramid at Dahshur (the first true pyramid).
What is dynasty V-VI?Show answer
Pyramid construction continued but on a smaller scale. Sun temples became prominent (especially under Userkaf, Niuserre).