Long before the birth of Christ, a great nation arose on the banks of the Nile. For 3,000 years, Egypt stood at the forefront of human achievement, blending creativity and mysticism in a culture the likes of which had never been seen. And for all that time, the fate of the nation rested in the hands of its storied rulers: the pharaohs. The Great Pharaohs of Egypt uses expert interviews, computer re-creation, extensive location footage, and the latest archeological and scientific evidence to tell the story of these ancient kings. The Great Pharaohs of Egypt would be useful for classes on Ancient History, Egyptian History, Western Civilization, World Culture, Religion, and Anthropology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Part 1

This program chronicles the dawn of Egyptian civilization and the origins of the pharaohs and their greatest legacy: the pyramids. It tells the story of how the first pharaoh, the warrior Narmer, united upper and lower Egypt and began Egypt's first dynasty.

• appease
• chaos
• crook
• deity
• delegate
• dictates
• elaborate
• embodiment
• exalt
• flail
• heretic
• hieroglyphics
• homage
• hygiene
• incantation
• millennia
• rejuvenate
• resonance
• scribe
• smite

1. Egypt is often called "the cradle of civilization."What does this term imply? Why does it apply to Egypt?

2. The most outstanding geographic feature of Egypt is the Nile River. How did this great river contribute to Egypt's advanced civilization?

3. Kings in ancient Egypt were called pharaohs. What does this term mean?

4. Pharaohs, like kings, wore crowns that were symbolic of their position. How did the pharaoh's crowns signify his power and domain?

5. Pharaohs held a crook and a flail in either hand. What was the symbolism of these two objects?

6. Religion, historically, has played a great role in all cultures. How were the political systems and religious beliefs intertwined in ancient Egypt?

7. Egypt consists of two regions, upper Egypt and lower Egypt. How were these two areas united under one kingdom? How do historians know this?

8. What is a dynasty? Why do all dynasties eventually fall or are replaced?

9. What was Hor-Aha's greatest achievement?

10. Why did pharaohs build pyramids? What was their purpose? How have these pyramids added to our knowledge of the ancient world?

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Air Dates

• January 05, 2004
• August 26, 2004