Why did the Greek historian Herodotus call Egypt "the gift of the Nile"?
Choose all answers that are correct.
A. The Nile provided water.
B. The Nile was an abundant source of precious stones.
C. The Nile gave the Egyptians more access to trade.
D. The Nile deposited fertile soil.
Answer (3)
Answer;
D. The Nile deposited fertile soil.
Explanation;
The Greek historian Herodotus called Egypt the "gift of the Nile", since the kingdom owed its survival to the annual flooding of the Nile and the resulting depositing of fertile silt.
The Nile River flows into the Mediterranean Sea, and there is a delta at the mouth. The river provided the people with means for transport, help with irrigation for farming, some food such as fish, and even created fertile soil for growing crops.
The correct options are A. The Nile provided water and D. The Nile deposited fertile soil. Herodotus called Egypt the gift of the Nile because the river was essential for the existence and prosperity of the ancient Egyptian civilization.
The Nile River was crucial for the survival of the ancient Egyptians for several reasons:
A. The Nile provided water: The river was the primary source of water in a region that was otherwise surrounded by desert. This water was essential for drinking, agriculture, and various other daily needs.
B. The Nile was an abundant source of precious stones: This statement is not accurate in the context of why Herodotus referred to Egypt as the gift of the Nile. While the Nile and its surrounding regions did yield various resources, precious stones were not a significant or unique contribution of the river.
C. The Nile gave the Egyptians more access to trade: While the Nile did serve as a transportation route that facilitated trade, this was not the primary reason Herodotus gave the river such significance. The river's role in trade was secondary to its life-sustaining properties.
D. The Nile deposited fertile soil: One of the most important contributions of the Nile to ancient Egyptian civilization was the annual flooding that deposited a layer of fertile silt along the riverbanks. This rich soil allowed the Egyptians to grow crops in an otherwise inhospitable environment, which was foundational for the development of their civilization.
Therefore, the Nile's provision of water and fertile soil were the key reasons why Herodotus considered Egypt to be a gift of the Nile. These factors enabled the ancient Egyptians to build one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world.
Herodotus called Egypt "the gift of the Nile" because the Nile River supplied essential water and fertile soil crucial for agriculture. Therefore, the correct answers are A (The Nile provided water) and D (The Nile deposited fertile soil).
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