An Ancient Egyptian Lexicon Trivia Quiz

Answer: pyramidion

The pyramidion, also known as a "benbenet" in ancient Egyptian, was the capstone placed at the very top of a pyramid or an obelisk. Made of granite or limestone and often covered in gold or electrum, the pyramidion symbolized the sun's rays and was believed to connect the earthly realm with the divine.

It was considered a focal point for the deceased's soul to ascend to the heavens, reinforcing the pyramid's role as a monument to eternal life and the journey to the afterlife.

Answer: nomarch

A nomarch was a regional governor in ancient Egypt responsible for administering a "nome," which was a territorial division similar to a province. Nomarchs played a crucial role in the governance and stability of ancient Egyptian society, especially during periods when the central authority of the pharaoh was weak.

They managed local affairs, including collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, overseeing agricultural production, and organizing labor for state projects like building temples and monuments.

Answer: hieratic

Hieratic was a cursive form of ancient Egyptian writing used primarily for religious texts, administrative records, and everyday communication. Derived from the more formal hieroglyphic script, hieratic was written with ink on papyrus, pottery, or other materials, making it faster and more practical for scribes to use. Hieratic was used by priests, government officials, and scribes to document legal contracts, tax records, letters, and religious texts, including portions of the "Book of the Dead."

Answer: senet

Played on a grid of 30 squares arranged in three rows of ten, senet involved two players who moved their pieces according to the throw of sticks or dice, with the goal of reaching the end of the board first. The game was not just a pastime but also had deep religious connotations. Senet was thought to represent the soul's journey through the afterlife, and the squares on the board symbolized different stages or challenges that one would face on the path to eternal life. Winning the game was often equated with achieving spiritual victory and a successful transition to the afterlife.

Answer: cenotaph

Unlike a tomb, which served as the actual burial site, a cenotaph was a symbolic structure that allowed for the continuation of funerary practices and rituals in multiple locations. Cenotaphs were often constructed for pharaohs or high-ranking officials to ensure that their memory and spirit were preserved and revered.

These monuments were considered essential for maintaining the deceased's "ka," or life force, by providing a place where offerings could be made and prayers could be recited.

Answer: canopic jar

Each set of four jars represented one of the Four Sons of Horus, who were believed to protect the organs for the afterlife. The jars typically had lids shaped like the heads of these protective deities: Imsety (human head) for the liver, Hapi (baboon head) for the lungs, Duamutef (jackal head) for the stomach, and Qebehsenuef (falcon head) for the intestines.

They were often placed in tombs along with other funerary goods to ensure the deceased's safe passage and well-being in the next world.

Answer: ankh

The ankh, often called the "key of life," was a symbol in ancient Egyptian society representing life, immortality, and the divine essence. Shaped like a cross with a loop at the top, the ankh was frequently depicted in the hands of deities in art and hieroglyphs, symbolizing their power to bestow life or take it away.

The symbol was used in both religious and secular contexts, appearing in tombs, temples, and amulets worn by the living and the dead for protection and to promote well-being.

Answer: ushabti

Made from materials like wood, stone, or faience, ushabti were usually shaped to resemble mummified humans, often holding farming tools, and were inscribed with spells from the "Book of the Dead." These spells were meant to animate the figurines, allowing them to perform any manual labor required of the deceased in the afterlife, such as plowing fields or building structures.

Answer: cartouche

A cartouche was an oval or oblong enclosure with a horizontal line at one end, used in ancient Egypt to encircle and protect the hieroglyphic names of royalty, such as pharaohs or queens. The shape of the cartouche was believed to represent a rope tied around a sacred name, symbolizing eternal protection and ensuring the name's survival for eternity. Cartouches were often inscribed on tombs, temples, jewelry, and monuments, serving not only as a means of identification but also as a protective symbol to safeguard the king's soul in the afterlife.

Answer: necropolis

A necropolis, meaning "city of the dead" in Greek, was a large cemetery or burial ground in ancient Egypt, where the deceased were interred in tombs or graves. These necropolises were often located on the western bank of the Nile River, symbolically associated with the setting sun and the journey to the afterlife.

They housed the remains of not only pharaohs and nobles but also commoners.