Sneferu — Questions and answers
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How was Sneferu, the founding pharaoh of Egypt's Fourth Dynasty, remembered by generations of Egyptians?
Choices
- Sneferu was remembered as a benevolent ruler. ✓
- Sneferu was remembered as an architect who failed at Meidum and Dahshur.
- Sneferu was remembered as a king who only built monuments for his son, Khufu.
- Sneferu was remembered as a leader who focused only on trade expeditions.
Answer: Sneferu was remembered as a benevolent ruler.
From page 1
What kind of monument did King Sneferu describe to his Vizier Nefermaat for the site at Meidum?
Choices
- King Sneferu described a smooth-sided pyramid from the start.
- King Sneferu described a colossal monument starting as a stepped pyramid, then becoming smooth-sided. ✓
- King Sneferu described a small, simple burial chamber.
- King Sneferu described a monument designed entirely by Nefermaat.
Answer: King Sneferu described a colossal monument starting as a stepped pyramid, then becoming smooth-sided.
From page 2
At the construction site in Meidum, what detail about the pyramid's casing blocks concerned King Sneferu and his Vizier Nefermaat?
Choices
- The color of the Tura limestone was not fine enough for the pyramid.
- The steep angle of the casing blocks caused concern for Sneferu and Nefermaat. ✓
- Too few laborers were hauling massive blocks for the pyramid.
- The ramps were not spiraling upwards fast enough at the construction site.
Answer: The steep angle of the casing blocks caused concern for Sneferu and Nefermaat.
From page 3
Why did King Sneferu sail south from Meidum towards a new site at Dahshur, and who was with him on the royal barge?
Choices
- King Sneferu was leaving Meidum because of unforeseen stresses in the pyramid's casing, accompanied by his son, Prince Khufu. ✓
- King Sneferu was going to Dahshur to visit Prince Khufu, who was already there.
- King Sneferu was escaping Meidum after a defeat, with only his guards on the royal barge.
- King Sneferu was seeking new trade routes down the Nile with his Vizier.
Answer: King Sneferu was leaving Meidum because of unforeseen stresses in the pyramid's casing, accompanied by his son, Prince Khufu.
From page 4
What was the engineering crisis that King Sneferu faced with his second pyramid, known as the 'Bent Pyramid,' at Dahshur?
Choices
- The 'Bent Pyramid' was too short and needed more blocks to be completed.
- The internal pressures and angle of construction threatened catastrophe, so the upper section's angle had to be changed. ✓
- The wrong color stones were being used for the upper courses of the 'Bent Pyramid'.
- King Sneferu's chief architect wanted to build a different kind of monument at Dahshur.
Answer: The internal pressures and angle of construction threatened catastrophe, so the upper section's angle had to be changed.
From page 5
What did King Sneferu decree after the challenges with his first two pyramids, and what kind of pyramid did he plan to build next at Dahshur with his son Rahotep?
Choices
- King Sneferu decreed an end to pyramid building and planned to build a new treasury at Memphis.
- King Sneferu decreed the commencement of a third pyramid at Dahshur, designed to be a 'true' pyramid with a perfected, shallower angle. ✓
- King Sneferu decided to build a smaller, simpler monument using only cedar from Sinai.
- King Sneferu decided to stop building pyramids and focus on trade with other kingdoms.
Answer: King Sneferu decreed the commencement of a third pyramid at Dahshur, designed to be a 'true' pyramid with a perfected, shallower angle.
From page 6
For which monument did King Sneferu source colossal blocks of red granite from the quarries at Aswan?
Choices
- King Sneferu sourced red granite for the 'Bent Pyramid' at Dahshur.
- King Sneferu sourced red granite for the monument at Meidum.
- King Sneferu sourced red granite for the 'Red Pyramid' at Dahshur. ✓
- King Sneferu sourced red granite for a new temple along the Nile.
Answer: King Sneferu sourced red granite for the 'Red Pyramid' at Dahshur.
From page 7
What valuable goods arrived for King Sneferu at a Delta port from the Levant and Sinai, with his Vizier Nefermaat overseeing the unloading?
Choices
- Only food supplies arrived for King Sneferu from Byblos.
- Cedarwood from Byblos and copper from the Sinai mines arrived for King Sneferu. ✓
- Spices from the desert arrived for King Sneferu.
- Gold and silver arrived for King Sneferu from other kingdoms.
Answer: Cedarwood from Byblos and copper from the Sinai mines arrived for King Sneferu.
From page 8
Who was with King Sneferu in the royal gardens at Memphis when he shared his final wisdom about kingship and the future of the dynasty?
Choices
- His Vizier, Nefermaat, and his General, Rahotep, were with King Sneferu.
- His chief queen, Hetepheres I, and his eldest son, Prince Khufu, were with King Sneferu. ✓
- Only his chief architect was with King Sneferu in the royal gardens.
- Thousands of laborers were with King Sneferu.
Answer: His chief queen, Hetepheres I, and his eldest son, Prince Khufu, were with King Sneferu.
From page 9
At Dahshur, what was special about King Sneferu's 'Red Pyramid' when he surveyed it with Khufu?
Choices
- King Sneferu's 'Red Pyramid' was the unique 'Bent Pyramid'.
- King Sneferu's 'Red Pyramid' was his first pyramid and taught him many lessons.
- King Sneferu's 'Red Pyramid' was the world's first true pyramid, with resolved angles and harmonious form. ✓
- King Sneferu's 'Red Pyramid' was the tallest pyramid ever built.
Answer: King Sneferu's 'Red Pyramid' was the world's first true pyramid, with resolved angles and harmonious form.
From page 10