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NSWAncient HistoryQuick questions
Section II (Ancient Societies): Old Kingdom Egypt to the death of Pepy II
Quick questions on Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom (HSC Ancient History Section II)
10short 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 step Pyramid at Saqqara?Show answer
Designed by his vizier Imhotep. The first large stone monument in Egypt. Began as a mastaba (flat-roofed tomb) and was progressively expanded into six stepped layers.
What is imhotep?Show answer
Djoser's vizier, sage, and architect of the Step Pyramid. Later deified. Considered the founder of Egyptian medicine and one of the earliest known polymaths in human history.
What is great Pyramid?Show answer
Originally 481 feet (146.6 m) tall, currently 138.5 m due to lost casing. Approximately 2.3 million stone blocks. Built over 20-25 years using approximately 20,000-40,000 workers (the slave-labour stereotype is now widely rejected; most workers were skilled craftsmen and seasonal labourers).
What is tomb chamber?Show answer
No body or burial goods survived (looted in antiquity).
What are sources?Show answer
Herodotus (5th century BC) provides the most extensive ancient account, though much is unreliable. Recent archaeological work has refined understanding of the construction.
What is the Great Sphinx?Show answer
Conventionally attributed to Khafre's reign. Carved from a natural limestone outcrop. 73 metres long, 20 metres high.
What are pyramid Texts?Show answer
Unas's pyramid is the first to contain Pyramid Texts (religious texts inscribed on the walls). These are the earliest surviving religious texts in human history, predecessors of the Coffin Texts (Middle Kingdom) and Book of the Dead (New Kingdom).
What is decline of central authority?Show answer
During his long reign, power devolved increasingly to regional nomarchs. The central state weakened.
What is end of reign and collapse?Show answer
After Pepy II's death (c. 2184 BC), the Old Kingdom collapsed. The First Intermediate Period (c.
What are possible causes?Show answer
Climate change reducing Nile floods, the rise of regional nomarchs, the prolonged reign concentrating power problematically, possible foreign pressure (from Libyans, Asiatics).