In ancient Egyptian society
people lived in a system where by the Pharaoh was at the top (with all the
power) and farmers and slaves at the bottom. The groups of people nearest the
top of society were the richest and most powerful. And the people at the bottom
usually worked for the rich and powerful and had poor lifestyles.
The pharaoh in Ancient Egypt
The Pharaoh was believed to be a
God on earth and had the most power. He was responsible for making laws and
keeping order, ensuring that Egypt was not attacked or invaded by enemies and
for keeping the Gods happy so that the Nile flooded and there was a good
harvest.
Harris, Nathaniel. The History
of Ancient Egypt. London England: Chancellor, 2000. Print.
The Vizier in Ancient Egypt
The Vizier was the Pharaoh's
chief advisor and was sometimes also the High Priest. He was responsible for
overseeing administration and all official documents had to have his seal of
approval. He was also responsible for the supply of food, settling disputes
between nobles and the running and protection of the Pharaoh's household.
Harris, Nathaniel. The
History of Ancient Egypt. London England: Chancellor, 2000. Print.
The Nobles in Ancient Egypt
Nobles in Egyptian society were related
to the pharaoh, priests, scribes, doctors, lawyers, or important military
personnel. Many of the nobles were overseers of the lands worked by peasants.
Taxes from these lands were paid to the government in the form of crops or
cattle. These crops in turn were used to pay skilled workers and peasants for
their labour to build public works.
Kemp, Barry J. Ancient Egypt:
Anatomy of a Civilization. London: Routledge, 2006. Print.
Scribes in Ancient Egypt
Scribes played an important role
in early Egypt. Only scribes and priests were taught how to read and write.
They had to memorize hieroglyphic symbols. Scribes not only kept records, they
also often played a supervisory role in society. The position of scribe was
often inherited and passed from generation to generation in the same families.
Schools for scribes were held in temple courtyards. A scribe was exempt from
the heavy manual labour to which most others in society were subject.
Kemp, Barry J. Ancient Egypt:
Anatomy of a Civilization. London: Routledge, 2006. Print.
Farmers in Ancient Egypt
Farmers lived in houses made of
mud bricks. Men and boys worked in the fields irrigating crops with a shaduf,
which brought water from a river into a canal. The women baked breads, brewed
beer, spun thread and weaved it into various items. During the flood months of
June to September, the farmers were often called for service to the government.
Working for the government was known as corvee duty. Wealthier farmers and
those holding official posts could buy their way out of the service. Those who
didn’t served the duty working on large projects such as a temple or a pyramid.
Kemp, Barry J. Ancient Egypt:
Anatomy of a Civilization. London: Routledge, 2006. Print.
Slaves in Ancient Egypt
Slaves were most commonly prisoners of war. Although the pyramids are
often depicted as being built by slaves, there are little historical evidences
of this. It was not until the Middle Kingdom that large groups of slaves were
present in Egypt. During the Old Kingdom, when the pyramids were built, there
is no evidence that Egypt maintained a large population of slaves. Slaves did
not hold the same status in Ancient Egypt as slaves did during the time of the
European expansion. For example, slaves could own land, marry freeborn people,
and even employ servants. Slavery in Egypt did not mean total ownership.
Harris, Nathaniel. The History
of Ancient Egypt. London England: Chancellor, 2000. Print.
