Egyptian History Quiz: Trivia Facts And Questions!

1. Scribes wrote in a special paper called papyrus using ink that was made in solid blocks which were mixed with water.

TRUE

FALSE

Egyptians wrote in pictures or signs, called hieroglyphs. Scribes wrote in a special paper called papyrus using ink that was made in solid blocks which were mixed with water. Boys learned to write on pieces of pottery because papyrus was expensive.

Explanation

Egyptians wrote in pictures or signs, called hieroglyphs. Scribes wrote in a special paper called papyrus using ink that was made in solid blocks which were mixed with water. Boys learned to write on pieces of pottery because papyrus was expensive.

2. The ancient Egyptians built many roads alongside the river Nile.

TRUE

FALSE

There were few roads in Egypt because they would have been flooded by the Nile each year. Most travels were by boat along the Nile, also to ports on the Red Sea and the eastern Mediterranean.

Explanation

There were few roads in Egypt because they would have been flooded by the Nile each year. Most travels were by boat along the Nile, also to ports on the Red Sea and the eastern Mediterranean.

3. What was the name of the Macedonian conqueror that invaded Egypt in 332 BC?

Philip I

Darius III

Hannibal

Ptolemy II

Alexander the Great

Egypt was invaded by Alexander the Great, son of Philip II of Macedonia, in 332 BC. Egypt had been ruled by the Persians for 200 years, Alexander expelled Darius III of Persia from Egypt. Ptolemy I Soter was a Macedonian Greek general under Alexander the Great who became ruler of Egypt (323 BC—283 BC) and founder of both the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

Explanation

Egypt was invaded by Alexander the Great, son of Philip II of Macedonia, in 332 BC. Egypt had been ruled by the Persians for 200 years, Alexander expelled Darius III of Persia from Egypt. Ptolemy I Soter was a Macedonian Greek general under Alexander the Great who became ruler of Egypt (323 BC—283 BC) and founder of both the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

4. What Egyptian Pahraoh signed with the Hittites what many consider the first official peace treaty in history?

Ramesses II

Tutankhamun

Cleopatra

Menes

Ramesses III

Ramesses II or Ramses II was also called called Ramesses the Great, he lived to be 96 years old and had many wives, sons and daughters. The Hittites and other empires from the Middle East started to pay tribute to Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmosis III; the Hittites maintained control of northern Syria. The battle of Qadesh involved the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II and the Hittite emperor Muwatallis II, it had uncertain results as both kings claimed victory. Muwatallis died shortly after the battle. Some time after this batlle, the new Hittite emperor, Hattusil III, and Ramses II agreed on a peace treaty between the two Empires. This treaty is considered by many as being the first official treaty ever made because it was drawn up in the international diplomatic language of the time called Akkadian.

Explanation

Ramesses II or Ramses II was also called called Ramesses the Great, he lived to be 96 years old and had many wives, sons and daughters. The Hittites and other empires from the Middle East started to pay tribute to Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmosis III; the Hittites maintained control of northern Syria. The battle of Qadesh involved the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II and the Hittite emperor Muwatallis II, it had uncertain results as both kings claimed victory. Muwatallis died shortly after the battle. Some time after this batlle, the new Hittite emperor, Hattusil III, and Ramses II agreed on a peace treaty between the two Empires. This treaty is considered by many as being the first official treaty ever made because it was drawn up in the international diplomatic language of the time called Akkadian.

5. During the New Kingdom, Pharaohs were buried inside large Pyramids in the Valley of the Kings

TRUE

FALSE

During the New Kingdom, pharaohs were buried in tombs cut deep into the rock, in the Valley of the Kings. The tombs were filled with treasures the Egyptians thought the pharaohs would need in the Next World. Most tombs were robbed, Tutankhamun's tomb was the only one that escaped.

Explanation

During the New Kingdom, pharaohs were buried in tombs cut deep into the rock, in the Valley of the Kings. The tombs were filled with treasures the Egyptians thought the pharaohs would need in the Next World. Most tombs were robbed, Tutankhamun's tomb was the only one that escaped.

6. What is the name of the people that invaded Egypt at the end of the Middle Kingdom (c 1720 BC)?

Hittites

Macedonians

Hyksos

Assirians

Romans

The Hyksos invaded the eastern Nile Delta (c 1720 BC) and controlled most of Egypt for 150 years. They had horses and chariots, but the Egyptians fought on foot. Eventually the Egyptians learned to fight with chariots and horses and drove them away (c 1570 BC). Ahmose I was the Egyptian pharaoh who finally expelled the Hyksos from Egypt, after the death of his father and of his brother Kamose, who fought them. He first drove them back to their capital Avaris and laid siege to the city. He left the siege of Avaris in the control of his military commanders so that he was free to placate a rebellion in the Theban region. When Ahmose returned to Avaris he found that negotiations had been taking place between the Hyksos and his military commanders who allowed them to leave Egypt in return for surrendering the city.

Explanation

The Hyksos invaded the eastern Nile Delta (c 1720 BC) and controlled most of Egypt for 150 years. They had horses and chariots, but the Egyptians fought on foot. Eventually the Egyptians learned to fight with chariots and horses and drove them away (c 1570 BC). Ahmose I was the Egyptian pharaoh who finally expelled the Hyksos from Egypt, after the death of his father and of his brother Kamose, who fought them. He first drove them back to their capital Avaris and laid siege to the city. He left the siege of Avaris in the control of his military commanders so that he was free to placate a rebellion in the Theban region. When Ahmose returned to Avaris he found that negotiations had been taking place between the Hyksos and his military commanders who allowed them to leave Egypt in return for surrendering the city.

7. What is the name of the last Egyptian Pharaoh of the Ptolemaic dynasty?

Philip II

Cleopatra VII

Ptolemy XII

Cleopatra V

Ramses III

Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last effective pharaoh of Egypt's Ptolemaic dynasty. She originally shared power with her father Ptolemy XII and later with her brothers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV, whom she also married, but eventually gained sole rule. According to tradition, Cleopatra killed herself by means of an asp bite on August 12, 30 BC.

Explanation

Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last effective pharaoh of Egypt's Ptolemaic dynasty. She originally shared power with her father Ptolemy XII and later with her brothers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV, whom she also married, but eventually gained sole rule. According to tradition, Cleopatra killed herself by means of an asp bite on August 12, 30 BC.

8. Please check all the correct answers regarding Egyptian gods.

Anubis, god of the dead, was represented with a jackal's head.

Horus, son of Isis and Osiris, god of the sky, had a falcon's head.

Bast was the cat goddess of pregnant women and babies.

Thoth, god of wisdom, was represented with the head of an hippo

Re, Sun god, was sometimes represented with the head of a hawk.

Toweret was the hippo goddess of pregnant women and babies. Thoth was the god of wisdom, represented with the head of an ibis. The other options are correct.

Explanation

Toweret was the hippo goddess of pregnant women and babies. Thoth was the god of wisdom, represented with the head of an ibis. The other options are correct.

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9. What Egyptian New Kingdom Pharaoh ruled over the largest territory and led the army 17 times to battle?

Ramesses II

Ahmose I

Menes

Tuthmosis III

Kamose

Thutmose III (sometimes read as Tootmosis or Tuthmosis III and meaning Son of Toot) reigned during the 18th dynasty. During the first twenty-two years of Thutmose's reign he was co-regent with his aunt, Hatshepsut, who was named the pharaoh. When he reached a suitable age she appointed him to head her armies. After the death of Hatshepsut, Thutmosis III ruled Egypt on his own for thirty years. He led his army to war 17 times. During his reign the Egyptian Empire was at its largest (c 1450 BC).

Explanation

Thutmose III (sometimes read as Tootmosis or Tuthmosis III and meaning Son of Toot) reigned during the 18th dynasty. During the first twenty-two years of Thutmose's reign he was co-regent with his aunt, Hatshepsut, who was named the pharaoh. When he reached a suitable age she appointed him to head her armies. After the death of Hatshepsut, Thutmosis III ruled Egypt on his own for thirty years. He led his army to war 17 times. During his reign the Egyptian Empire was at its largest (c 1450 BC).

10. Who invaded Egypt in 671 BC?

The Romans

The Persians

The Hyksos

The Hittites

The Assyrian

The Assyrians conquered Egypt in three general invasions, the first in 671, the second in 667, and the last in 663, introducing iron to this area. In 671 B.C., Esarhaddon, the king of Assyria defeated pharaoh's Taharqa's army, and captured Memphis, the capital of Egypt. In 612 B.C., Assyria collapsed, and this resulted in the return of the Egyptian's independence of the 26th dynasty, until another invasion by the Persians.

Explanation

The Assyrians conquered Egypt in three general invasions, the first in 671, the second in 667, and the last in 663, introducing iron to this area. In 671 B.C., Esarhaddon, the king of Assyria defeated pharaoh's Taharqa's army, and captured Memphis, the capital of Egypt. In 612 B.C., Assyria collapsed, and this resulted in the return of the Egyptian's independence of the 26th dynasty, until another invasion by the Persians.