SOCIAL CLASSES/DAILY LIFE
To understand daily life, you first need to understand the social classes of Ancient Egypt.
The social classes were:
The life was almost as easy for the Officials. They had all of the money that the Pharaohs had, but less responsibility, and more free time. They often had parties at night. These included the best food, the best drink, and of course, the richest people. Officials had their slaves do much of the same things that the pharaoh did, only in lesser numbers.
The soldiers made much less money than the officials and pharaohs, but still lived in decant houses, had good food. These were the people who defended the Officials, and the the Pharaohs. They also defended the city from invaders and riots.
Scribes were the writers of the city. They recorded the important meetings down, so if there was any controversy, they had the writing to refer to. This a legal, peaceful way to settle things. The scribes were the only ones who were specially trained in writing.
The group called merchants specialized in trade. This included things like: fabric, minerals, and other important things. They traveled from city to city to city trading goods, selling goods, and buying new items.
Artisans are a class toward the bottom of the social class system. They specialize in the crafting, or the arts. They use goods from the merchants to build anything from plates, to necklaces. These people were the base of the society. They built what was needed, and even what wasn't.
The farmers were the last free rung of the social ladder. These people were treated poorly, and were used only to grow food. they were heavily taxed by the government officials. They used stoves that used cattle dung for fuel, and were forced to do labor.
The only thing worse than a farmer was a slave. These people were bought and sold like property. Thats what people regarded them a property. They did all that their master wanted for little pay. They were usually prisoners of war or foreigners.
The social classes were:
- Pharaohs (king, ruler)
- Government Officials (Priests, Nobles)
- Soldiers
- Scribes (writers)
- Merchants (Goods Traders)
- Artisans (Craftsmen)
- Farmers
- Slaves and Servants
The life was almost as easy for the Officials. They had all of the money that the Pharaohs had, but less responsibility, and more free time. They often had parties at night. These included the best food, the best drink, and of course, the richest people. Officials had their slaves do much of the same things that the pharaoh did, only in lesser numbers.
The soldiers made much less money than the officials and pharaohs, but still lived in decant houses, had good food. These were the people who defended the Officials, and the the Pharaohs. They also defended the city from invaders and riots.
Scribes were the writers of the city. They recorded the important meetings down, so if there was any controversy, they had the writing to refer to. This a legal, peaceful way to settle things. The scribes were the only ones who were specially trained in writing.
The group called merchants specialized in trade. This included things like: fabric, minerals, and other important things. They traveled from city to city to city trading goods, selling goods, and buying new items.
Artisans are a class toward the bottom of the social class system. They specialize in the crafting, or the arts. They use goods from the merchants to build anything from plates, to necklaces. These people were the base of the society. They built what was needed, and even what wasn't.
The farmers were the last free rung of the social ladder. These people were treated poorly, and were used only to grow food. they were heavily taxed by the government officials. They used stoves that used cattle dung for fuel, and were forced to do labor.
The only thing worse than a farmer was a slave. These people were bought and sold like property. Thats what people regarded them a property. They did all that their master wanted for little pay. They were usually prisoners of war or foreigners.