Download Social Classes in Ancient Egypt

Social Classes in Ancient Egypt
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In Egypt, the Pharaoh’s rule was absolute and his word was the law, but he
needed help to control his people, the economy and the religion
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As a result, there was a high degree of social organization needed to protect
and provide for the complex society of Ancient Egypt
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Ancient Egyptian society was divided into 4 classes under the Pharaoh
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The upper class included a govt official called a Vizier, other govt. officials,
nobles, and priests
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The middle class included scribes, artisans, tradespeople, and soldiers
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The lower class (largest class) was made of peasants, mostly farmers,
laborers, and servants
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The bottom class was made up of slaves (mostly foreign captives)
Pharaoh is above Upper Class
THE UPPER
CLASS
Ancient Egypt: A Day In The Life of…..
Job # 1 – Peasant/Farmer (Lower Class)
A majority of the population, like me, was involved in farming, and the growing season lasted around 8-9 months.
Wheat, fruits and vegetables were the principal crops.
My family and I also spent a lot of time making two main items that all Egyptians ate and drank - bread and beer.
Both were made in a similar way, using wheat or barley. Grinding the wheat and barley was a tough daily
process. Bread was eaten with every meal. Beer was mixed using bread dough with yeast and leaving it to ferment
in large vats. A few weeks later, the resulting "mash" was filtered and strained before drinking. I also kept bees for
their honey, which was often used to sweeten cakes, beer, bread and wine.
The Nile flood meant a period of rest for me, unless I was called up into army service or to serve in public works
projects. At the height of the floods, usually around mid August, I would row around my land closing the vents in
the surrounding dykes.
I would generally work the land of wealthy landowners, and would be paid in food, clothes and shelter.
Job #2 – Craftsmen (Middle Class)
I was a craftsman in Ancient Egypt. I was well respected within the community and I led a comfortable lifestyle,
although my lifestyle and social standing ultimately depended on the level of my skill and experience. I usually
worked together with other craftsmen in workshops, and depending on the nature of the craft, we would be based
in either a temple or a palace workshop. I was involved with the decoration of royal tombs. I often lived on site
until the job was complete.
Job # 3 – Scribe (Middle Class)
Ordinary Egyptians turned to me for all kinds of help, from drawing up a will or a marriage contract to simply
reading and writing letters to them. My occupation was passed down from my father to me and I will do the same
with my son. Few members of any other profession managed to penetrate into our select group. I had to be a good
mathematician and my calculations of labor and materials needed for major construction and building projects
required a considerable degree of algebraic skill.
I kept all records of military recruits, weapons and pay. Some of my colleagues were responsible for writing out the
spells on the walls of tombs before they were carved and painted by craftsmen. As the craftsmen usually couldn't
read, it was essential that we checked over the work that had been done to make sure it was correct.
I would also work for the government, recording statistics about food production, harvests and taxes.
I also spent time working in the temples. It was necessary to be able to read the instructions for religious rituals
that priests had to perform. These instructions could be written on papyrus scrolls or carved onto the temple walls.
Job # 4 – Doctor (Middle Class)
We Egyptians are credited for being one of the first civilizations to have practicing physicians. I was taught
medicine through years of training at the temples. I knew a lot about the human body, even though there were no
medical schools. My knowledge came through the process of mummification, in which I removed and examined
different parts of the body after death. I was able to learn about the various fluids of the brain, the exact location of
the heart, and that the arteries were hollow and that blood circulated throughout the body.
I was an excellent observer and knew the importance of listening to my patients. Stomachaches, coughs,
toothaches and eye diseases were common and I used natural materials for most treatments. I dealt with diseases
and various ailments for women and could also diagnose pregnancy and the sex of the unborn.
I had papyrus scrolls that consisted of approx. 876 prescriptions and remedies for ailments such as wounds,
stomach complaints, and skin irritations. Many of the medicinal herbs you use today were first used by me.
Most illness and conditions in Ancient Egypt were regarded as the result of some kind of evil influence. I would
always begin my treatment by using an amulet or by reciting a magical spell. Once I had neutralized any evil
spirits, I could then begin to treat the patient medically.
Job #5 – Soldier (Middle Class)
Before the New Kingdom there was no such thing as a 'standing' army in Egypt. In the event of a war the governor
of each Nome was expected to raise a number of 'volunteers'.
During the New Kingdom, the army was no longer seen as temporary. A new era was ushered in, when Thutmose
III became Pharaoh – he established a permanent professional army.
To encourage loyalty, the pharaoh would award promotions such as gold, land or even prisoners. But the most
sought after award was a promotion in social status. It became possible for me to work my way up the military
hierarchy to become an officer. Opportunities were even available for me to attain nobility!
Our weaponry and armor during the Old and Middle Kingdoms was very basic and it cost us dearly. The invasion
and overthrow of Egypt by the Hyksos was due to their superior military techniques and strategies.
We slowly introduced new weapons such as the double-bow, curve-bladed sword and stronger shields.
In war, our preferred tactic was to lay siege to a weaker city resulting in their surrender. We would usually use
battering rams, ladders, fire and even starvation to overwhelm the occupants into submission.
Name: _______________________________________
A. Doctor
B. Craftsman
C. Soldier
D. Peasant/Farmer
E. Scribe
________1. Opportunities were even available for me to attain nobility
________2. Ordinary Egyptians turned to me for all kinds of help, from drawing up a will or a marriage contract to
simply reading and writing letters to them.
________3. Many of the medicinal herbs you use today were first used by me
________4. My lifestyle and social standing ultimately depended on the level of my skill and experience
________5. I often lived on site until the job was complete.
________6. When Thutmose III became Pharaoh, he established a permanent professional army
________7. I had to be a good mathematician and my calculations of labor and materials needed for major
construction and building projects required a considerable degree of algebraic skill.
________8. I kept bees for their honey, which was often used to sweeten cakes, beer, bread and wine
________9. My knowledge of the human body came through the process of mummification, in which I removed
and examined different parts of the body after death.
________10. My family and I spent a lot of time making bread and beer
________11. Our preferred tactic was to lay siege to a weaker city resulting in their surrender
________12. I was usually based in either a temple or a palace workshop
________13. I would always begin my treatment by using an amulet or by reciting a magical spell
________14. I was generally paid in food, clothes and shelter.
________15. My occupation was passed down from my father to me and I will do the same with my son