Which is true of Narmer and his successors?
a. There are no archaeological records of Narmer, only texts describing him.
b. His successors invented the concept of hereditary kingship.
c. Narmer’s reign begins what is known as the Old Kingdom.
d. Narmer was the first of over 200 pharaohs of Egypt.
e. Narmer completed unification by marrying a princess of Upper Egypt.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is e. Narmer completed unification by marrying a princess of Upper Egypt.
Narmer, also known as Menes, is traditionally regarded as the first pharaoh to unite Upper and Lower Egypt into a single kingdom around 3100 BCE. The unification of Egypt is considered one of the most significant events in ancient Egyptian history. Narmer’s victory and consolidation of power are depicted in the famous Narmer Palette, which shows him wearing the crowns of both Upper and Lower Egypt, symbolizing the unification. It is believed that one of the key strategies for achieving this unity was his marriage to a princess from Upper Egypt. This marriage would have symbolized the alliance between the two regions and solidified Narmer’s control over both.
While Narmer is often credited with founding the First Dynasty, it is important to note that his reign marks the beginning of what would become a long series of dynasties in ancient Egypt, but not necessarily the start of the Old Kingdom. The Old Kingdom period, known for the construction of the pyramids, began several generations later, after Narmer’s death.
As for the other options:
- a is incorrect because there is both archaeological evidence and texts that refer to Narmer.
- b is misleading, as hereditary kingship became more entrenched after Narmer’s reign, but it was not entirely a new concept. The idea of dynastic rule evolved over time, and his successors strengthened this system.
- c is inaccurate because the Old Kingdom began around 2686 BCE, long after Narmer’s reign.
- d is not correct either, as Narmer was just the first of many pharaohs, but Egypt had far more than 200 pharaohs, spanning over 3,000 years.
In summary, Narmer’s unification of Egypt through strategic alliances, including his marriage, laid the foundation for the subsequent development of ancient Egyptian civilization.