Study Guide: Race and ancient Egypt

Important names, terms, and concepts

Black Athena and the debate over race and ethnicity re ancient Egypt

The Exodus narrative in African American history, religion, and tradition

Discussion Questions

1. The book Black Athena argued that many of the idas and traditions of classical, Western civilization (including Greek civilization) derived from Egyptian and other African ancient civilizations. The book resulted in a storm of controversy. Berlinerblau gives background to the debate and outlines three positions in the controversy over the book Black Athena: 

1. the Afrocentrist position
2. Bernal’s position
3. the position of the “traditionalists” in Classics

What are these positions? In class, we’ll work through them further together.  Why is this debate so heated?

2.According to Raboteau, many early African Americans saw ancient Egypt as part of their cultural legacy, as a symbol and as a real part of their heritage.  How was Egypt symbolic?  How did some African Americans incorporate Egypt into their history as a people?  Was Egypt a positive symbol or a negative one?  or both?  How?