Because we don't have section on Tuesday the 11th and your MIDTERM is coming up in a couple of weeks (eek!) Professor Morris has suggested that your post for this week should be the type of essay question you would write for an exam.
Coming up with questions is a really great way to make sure you understand the material and can form links between different strains of evidence.
When formulating your question think of the themes that have come up several times in the lectures and reading. Think of a question that could be answered with different types of evidence (visual, historical, literary). One should be able to answer it in a 2-3 written pages so no "yes or no" questions please!
Posts that will receive full points are those that demonstrate critical thought and originality. No repeats please (though of course your hypothetical answers will overlap at times).
And remember you don't need to answer the question in your post.
Have a lovely long weekend and Happy Reading. When we have section again there will be a lot of material to cover so PLEASE get your primary source reading done.
Ancient Egyptian society remains conservative over thousands of years, and one of the specific elements that highlights this conservatism is the inheritance of social status and profession. Despite the lack of social mobility, what are some options someone from a poorer class can have to rise to the top?
ReplyDeleteBecause of the royal stronghold, certain professions (scribes, elite craftsmen, doctors, etc) remained solely affiliated with the crown up until the First Intermediate Period. How did this affiliation affect the daily life of any Egyptian holding one of these occupations and that occupation's overall industry?
ReplyDeleteCaroline Miller
The life of the scribe is often exalted as one of the most prestigious professions in Ancient Egypt. Relate the scribe’s significance to the role of the king, and explain how his royal authority over writings was useful in ruling Egypt.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the role of the Nile in ancient Egyptian culture? Go beyond the economical advantages and discuss the religious and cultural importance of the Nile as well.
ReplyDeleteDiscuss the relationship between doctors and magicians in Ancient Egypt, focusing on their similarities as well as their differences. How were the two professions used, and what social stigmas did each have?
ReplyDelete"Satire of the Trades: The Instruction of Dua Khety" boasts the advantages of becoming a scribe while demeaning all other professions. Using the narration in addition to other sources for evidence, what are the truths and exaggerations that can be found within "Satire of the Trades"? Is it an accurate reflection of the lives of ancient Egyptian professionals? Explain why or why not.
ReplyDeleteWhen considering the role of doctors in ancient Egypt, where was the line drawn between using practical medicine and the magical arts? Could doctors and magicians be considered the same thing? What skills were doctors able to perform? What were the specializations of magicians? Finally, think about the role of lector priests. Who are they and where do they fit in the mix of magic vs. medicine?
ReplyDeleteThere were many different professions in ancient Egyptian civilization. Pick one and discuss the positive and negative aspects of the profession. Were there areas in the profession for possible theft or "cheating"? Was there any way for the family of this profession to climb the social ladder?
ReplyDeleteThe First Intermediate Period was a time of great change within Egyptian society. Referring to at least two different social groups specifically (eg. doctors and craftsmen), explain their role in Egyptian society before, the changes that took place during, and the aftermath of the First Intermediate Period for them. Think carefully about the types of evidence you use to support your answer, and the purpose behind its original creation.
ReplyDeleteIn class, we have discussed the daily lives of certain classes in Ancient Egypt from the peasant farmer all the way up to the higher classes such as priests and scribes. Since the lives of peasants depended directly on the environment, explain the difficulty and how different the occupations of these two extremes must have been. Were there any factors that affected people who worked at higher ranks as well? Explain.
ReplyDeleteBoth scribes and artists played an important role in the physical documentation of Ancient Egyptian history. Socially, economically and in terms of skill; what are the basic differences and similarities between the Ancient Egyptian scribe an artist? Who do you feel played a more beneficial role to society; and what kind of career would you find yourself comparing that profession to now (in modern America)?
ReplyDeleteAs religion was a integral part of Egyptian culture, please compare and contrast how different groups practiced and viewed religion. What rights were some classes allowed and some denied? How important was written scripture and/or statues? You might also want to talk about religious burial rights and how these differed in society.
ReplyDeleteHow did ancient Egypt influence and get influenced by foreigners (for example Nubians, Libyans, Asiatics, Sea People)? How did its royal reign, combat strategies, religion, etc. get shaped by them?
ReplyDeleteIs it with no doubt that the Nile River played a very important role in Egyptian society throughout its civilization. Pick two to three aspects of the Nile River (Anything, Religion, Social Class, Technology ... ) and elaborate its significance.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for the late post. I am out of town and did not remember that we still had to post our blog…
ReplyDeleteBriefly explain a role of each following during the First Intermediate Period: soldiers, scribes, priests, magicians, and doctors. How did Egyptian religion and politics affect these professions in terms of their treatments? To what extent did these professions influence on normal people in Egypt?
Egyptians brought their divinities to earth in many ways, mostly through various artistic means. Specifically, what are some examples of this (at least 3 examples), and what effect did this have on the day-to-day lives of most Egyptians? Do you think there was a specific purpose of having the gods come down to this physical realm as opposed to the people praying to almost intangible, non-physical gods?
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