##  work rigorously ##

"work very hard" or "worked harshly"

## mortar ##

a wet glue or mud put between bricks or stones that holds them together when it dries

## All their required work was hard  ##

AT: "The Egyptians made them work very hard." or "The Egyptians forced them to work very hard." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])