Ancient_Egypt

Ancient History Sample Answer a) Name TWO Egyptian gods. 2 Amun and Osiris were two gods worshipped during the New Kingdom. This is a remembering task – who, what, where, when. b) What was tribute' 2 Tribute was payments from vassal nations to ensure Egypt’s continued good favour, for example Nubia. It may be precious metals (gold) or gems, exotic animals, cedar or incense. However, according to the Egyptians, gifts from brother kings, imports from trade and even on occasion booty won during war were recorded as tribute on the walls of temples, for example, the goods gained from the trading expedition to Punt during Hatshepsut’s reign. This is an understanding task – what. c) Describe the importance of the army in this period. 5 The army was vitally important to the growth, maintenance, and support of the newly created Egyptian empire. Without the army Egypt would not have been able to create a viable buffer zone around the b lack lands of Egypt, thus ensuring that maat was maintained throughout the land. Firstly the army was responsible for the creation of the empire. Using the weapons gained from the Hyksos the Egyptian army under the leadership of exceptional men like Thutmosis III were able to conquer their nearest neighbours, like the ‘wretched Kush’ and ‘vile Retennu. This ensured that Egypt would never again face the ‘ignominy of invasion’(Bradley). This buffer zone also led to increasing stability at home that was reflected in the building programs and artistic achievements of this period. Secondly, through the creation of forts and garrisons throughout the empire, manned by squads of soldiers, the empire was able to create a strong support network of quick response and messenger teams. This meant that the Pharaoh was able to always keep in touch with what was occurring throughout his empire at any given moment and respond accordingly. And finally, the wealth that flowed into Egypt from the booty and tribute meant the emergence of a new middle class who were able to enjoy a lifestyle that had been reserved for pharaoh before. Due to this prosperity Egypt’s artisans enjoyed new employment prospects (Deir el Medina), soldiers (Ahmose son of Ebana) and scribes (Senemut) were able to move up the Egyptian hierarchy in ways that had not been possible before. The temples of the gods also enjoyed greater prosperity, employing vast numbers of people to serve the gods through the farms, vineyards and weavers, all of these people were therefore provided with and were able to contribute to a strong economy. This is evident in the massive building programs that began during this period and in the high level of artistic achievement that can be noted in many of the building projects, for instance Deir el Bahri. Therefore the army not only created an empire but also contributed to the stability of the nation and the strong economy that allowed the achievements of Hatshepsut and Thutmosis III to occur. This is an analysing task – why & how. d) Outline the role of vizier. 6 Historians believe that there were actually two viziers, and vizier of the Upper and the Vizier of Lower Egypt. The Vizier of Upper Egypt being the superior of the two due to his proximity to the throne of Amun-Re (Thebes), pre-eminent god of New Kingdom Egypt. The Vizier was the second most important office in the land. He was responsible for seeing that Pharaoh’s will was observed and therefore Egypt remained safe. Rekhmire, vizier to Thutmosis III provides historians with the best explanation of a vizier’s duties. The Vizier had a judicial, administrative and financial responsibilities. He was ‘the copper that guarded the gold of his master’s house’ (Tomb of Rekhmire) and as such had the responsibility to ensure that that the work of the pharaoh proceeded smoothly.