Creating Illustrated Journals About Ancient Egyptian Daily Life

Creating Illustrated Journals About Ancient Egyptian Daily Life

Assignment you need to hand in: Notes and Sketches About Ancient Egyptian Daily Life & Illustrated Journal About Ancient Egyptian Daily Life

Overview: You will assume the role of a spy from the Hittite Empire sent to Egypt to covertly learn and write about aspects of Egyptian daily life.

Introductory Video Assignment: Egypt Beyond the Pyramids - The Daily Life of Ancient Egyptians

Check out the following map: Ancient Egypt and Hittite Empire 1370 B.C.E. - 1330 B.C.E.

Background: By the time of the New Kingdom, about 1554-1070 B.C.E., Egypt had become a powerful and stable empire. One of the most important factors that contributed to Egypt's stability was the concept of ma'at. Ma'at included a combination of ideas such as harmony with the universe, justice, order and peace. Egyptians believed that they must maintain ma'at for their world to remain safe and stable. Maintaining ma'at required different behavior from various groups in society. For ordinary people, ma'at meant they had to work hard and follow a path of social justice and moral righteousness. They also had to live in harmony with one another, with their surroundings, and with the Gods. For the pharoah, ma'at meant ruling wisely and well, so that order was maintained. In the New Kingdom, pharaohs often sought to maintain ma'at by expanding the Egyptian Empire into the Near East. This expansion brought them into conflict with the Hittites, a rival empire to the north.

The Hittites were Indo-European peoples who moved into Anatolia (presented-day Turkey) around 2000 B.C.E. By 1700 B.C.E. they had established a well-fortified capital in Hattusa, with huge surrounding walls more than two miles long. The Hittites began to expand their empire to the west and the south, aided by their development of a technique for smelting iron that allowed them to create swards, chariots, and other weapons. Though they possessed a strong military, the Hittites preferred to extend their political power through peaceful negotiations and treaties rather than by use of force. However, if diplomacy failed, they were not reluctant to use their military strength.

The Activity

Step 1: Download and print the following student handout: Notes and Sketches About Ancient Egyptian Daily Life

Step 2: Review each of the aspects of Egyptian Daily Life to fill out the Notes and Sketches handout. Click on the Student Information Sheet then the Picture explaining daily life among ancient Egyptians (Click here to download a PowerPoint of all the pictures):

Adorning the Body: Student Information Sheet Picture

Burial Practices: Student Information Sheet Picture

Crafts and Trade: Student Information Sheet Picture

Domestic Life: Student Information Sheet Picture

Food and Drink: Student Information Sheet Picture

Housing: Student Information Sheet Picture

Medicine: Student Information Sheet Picture

Music and Dance: Student Information Sheet Picture

Religious Beliefs: Student Information Sheet Picture

Social Classes: Student Information Sheet Picture

Warfare: Student Information Sheet Picture

Writing and Education: Student Information Sheet Picture