Ptahhotep

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ptahhotep

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is Ptahhotep known for?One of the earliest known systematic treatises on ethics and social conduct
2. What is the title and role?Vizier, a high-ranking official serving the pharaoh
3. What is the historical period?Late Fifth Dynasty of Egypt
4. Who was Ptahhotep?Ptahhotep was a very wise ancient Egyptian who served as a vizier, the king’s top helper, around 2400 BC.
5. What are Ptahhotep's Maxims?They are a collection of wise sayings that give advice on being kind, fair, and careful when talking to others.

Vizier: The principal minister of state in ancient Egypt, second in authority only to the pharaoh.
Wisdom Literature: A genre of ancient literature focused on moral instruction, ethical guidance, and practical life advice.
Old Kingdom: The period in ancient Egyptian history (c. 2686–2181 BC) during which the great pyramids were built.
Ethical Framework: A system of moral principles that governs a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.