Study Guide Day 7: Pyramids and the Sphinx

Bring Grimal Readings from Sakai (printout or on laptop) for reference during class. Nothing isassigned from Grimal for today but BRING it please.

Study tips

Wenis=Unas
Cheops=Khufu
Chephren=Khafra
Mycerinus=Menkaura

Try to connect what you're reading in Mieroop and Lichtheim with each other and with what you see on the websites

Important names, terms, and concepts

The readings and websites provide details on lots of pyramids. By the end of our class session, you should be familiar with the following major sites (their pharaohs, significance, basic structure, etc.):

• Djoser's pyramid and complex at Saqqara
• the three great pyramids at Giza
• Wenis's/Unas's pyramid at Saqqara
• the Sphinx at Giza
• the general significance of the OK funerary and solar temples

Also know the basic elements of the OK royal funerary complexes including:

• the pyramid and its major chambers
• courtyard
• mortuary temple
• valley temple
• causeway
• solar and royal barques

Discussion Questions

How do the structures of the pyramids and the layout of the pyramid complexes reflect ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife? In other words, what was the point of building a pyramid and its ancillary buildings?

Based on your reading of the pyramid texts, what kind of afterlife did the pharaoh hope to have? Be prepared to refer to specific examples from the text to make your point.

What did you think of the general tone of the pyramid texts? How are they different from the other funerary inscriptions you have read so far?