The Pharaoh as Living God · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

The Pharaoh: Egypt's Living God

History · Ancient Egypt · ages 9-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Egyptians believed Ma'at held what together?

    • The whole world
    • The Nile's boats
    • The pharaoh's crown

  2. Who did Egyptians believe was a living god walking on Earth?

    • A vizier
    • A farmer
    • The pharaoh

  3. The pharaoh ran every part of Egypt's government completely alone.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. What is the Egyptian name for the idea of truth, justice, and order?

    • Nile
    • Ankh
    • Ma'at

  5. After the flood, two neighbours disagree about where their field boundary now sits. Based on how Egypt's government worked, who most likely settles the dispute?

    • The pharaoh himself
    • A vizier or official
    • A traveling priest

  6. Two builders disagree about payment for their work. A vizier listens to both sides and makes a fair decision. Which Egyptian idea is he putting into practice?

    • Ma'at
    • The flooding of the Nile
    • Building pyramids

  7. Why did the pharaoh need viziers and officials?

    • He wanted to avoid meeting the people
    • One person could not do all that work
    • Viziers were gods who told him what to do

  8. A visitor asks an Egyptian, 'Is your pharaoh a god or a king?' What would the Egyptian most likely say?

    • Both. He is a god and a ruler in one person
    • Only a king, like any other country
    • Only a god, with no interest in ruling

  9. A vizier makes a decision, but the pharaoh disagrees with it. Based on how Egypt's government worked, who has the final say?

    • The pharaoh, because the vizier acted on his behalf
    • The vizier, because he did the daily work
    • Neither, so the decision is cancelled

  10. A student says, 'Ma'at was just the pharaoh's excuse to do whatever he wanted.' What is wrong with this idea?

    • Ma'at was a duty, not an excuse
    • Nothing. The pharaoh could ignore Ma'at freely
    • Ma'at only applied to farmers
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

The Pharaoh: Egypt's Living God W1-mt_PCX1jZZnf9-s1

  1. The whole world · Egyptians believed Ma'at, the truth, justice, and order, held the whole world together.
  2. The pharaoh · Egyptians believed the pharaoh was a living god, not just a ruler. Viziers and farmers were ordinary people.
  3. False · Viziers and other officials handled daily government work for the pharaoh, so he did not work alone.
  4. Ma'at · Ma'at was the principle of truth, justice, and order that guided Egyptian law and government.
  5. A vizier or official · Viziers and officials handled everyday disputes like this, applying Ma'at, while the pharaoh focused on his role as a god-king.
  6. Ma'at · Ma'at means truth, justice, and order. Hearing both builders and making a fair decision puts those principles into practice.
  7. One person could not do all that work · Egypt had too much daily work for one person, so viziers and officials managed it on the pharaoh's behalf.
  8. Both. He is a god and a ruler in one person · The pharaoh's special place came from being both at once: the ruler of the land and, Egyptians believed, a living god.
  9. The pharaoh, because the vizier acted on his behalf · Viziers carried out the pharaoh's decisions. Their power came from him, so his word stayed final.
  10. Ma'at was a duty, not an excuse · Protecting Ma'at was the pharaoh's first duty. It ruled over him as much as over anyone else.
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