Ancient Egyptian Social Structure: Classes and Daily Life

Ancient Egyptian Social Classes

The Privileged Class

Pharaoh: Considered a god-king, the pharaoh held absolute power over the land, controlling vast wealth and resources.

Nobility: Members of the pharaoh's family, they governed provinces, possessed extensive lands, and resided in opulent palaces.

Priests: They conducted religious rituals and held significant influence, managing temples and their associated wealth.

Scribes: Officials responsible for writing documents, managing records, and overseeing imports. While not considered privileged, they held a vital role in society.

Free People and Slaves

Peasants: The largest social group, they lived modestly, working the land to feed their families and pay taxes to the pharaoh, nobles, and priests.

Artisans: Skilled craftspeople who produced ceramics, processed metals, created sculptures, manufactured papyrus, linen garments, and metal objects.

Merchants: They traded for wood, metals, and perfumes from distant lands.

Servants: Free individuals who performed various tasks for the wealthy in exchange for wages.

Slaves: Individuals with no property rights, often employed in public works projects for the pharaoh.

Tombs and the Afterlife

The preservation of the body was crucial for the afterlife. Mummification was practiced to preserve the body, which was then placed in a gold sarcophagus and buried in a tomb, believed to be the deceased's residence in the afterlife.

Types of Tombs:

• Mastaba: The oldest type of tomb, resembling a rectangular structure with sloping walls. It featured an underground burial chamber accessed through a corridor.
• Pyramids: Monumental tombs used to bury pharaohs during the Old Kingdom. They contained a network of corridors and traps to deter tomb robbers.
• Hypogea: Underground tombs excavated into mountainsides. After the deceased was placed inside, the entrance was concealed to prevent detection.

Daily Life in Ancient Egypt

Life in the Countryside

Most Egyptians were farmers living in small, self-sufficient villages. They resided in simple adobe houses. During the Nile's flood season, they were often conscripted to work on large construction projects, such as the pyramids.

Life in the City

City buildings were less durable than tombs and temples, which were constructed of stone. Wealthy homes featured numerous rooms decorated with paintings and were located near rivers, often including a small garden.