Egyptian Culture
Egyptian Culture
The facts and information regarding the Ancient Egyptian culture details
the way of life shared by the members of a society and the their social
relationships, their institutions and organizations. What was the social
structure in Ancient Egypt? What jobs were available to the Ancient
Egyptians? What social status could be achieved?
Egyptian Culture &
Society
The Ancient Egyptians lived in a well ordered culture and society which
was administered by law enforcers, judges and courts. All classes of
society paid taxes which in turn paid for the government and army. The
Pyramid of Power started with the Pharaoh who was the absolute ruler of
Ancient Egypt.
Egyptian Culture &
Society - The Social Pyramid of Power
The Social Pyramid of power, which provides and
overview of the jobs undertaken in Ancient Egypt was as follows:
The Pharaoh
The Great Royal Wife
Members of the immediate Royal Family
Vizier
Noblemen
Army Officers
Court Officials
Priests and Priestesses, Doctors
Scribes
Artists
Craftsmen
Foot Soldiers
Fishermen and Farmers
Labourers, Tomb Builders
Egyptian Culture
and Society - The Vizier & Nobles
The Social ranks in Ancient Egypt
were divided somewhat sharply. There was a large class of nobles, who
were mostly great landed proprietors living on their estates, and having
under them a vast body of dependents, servants, labourers and artizans.
The Vizier was the most important court official.
Egyptian Culture
and Society - The Court Officials and Scribes
There was also a numerous official
class, partly employed at the court, partly holding government posts
throughout the country, which regarded itself as highly dignified, and
looked down on the people.
Egyptian Culture
and Society - The Priests and Priestesses
The Priests and Priestesses looked
after the temples and conducted the religious ceremonies. Taxes were
paid directly to the temples for their upkeep.
Egyptian Culture
and Society - The Literary Class
There was a literary class, which
was eminently respectable, and which viewed with contempt those who were
engaged in trade or handicrafts.
Egyptian Culture
and Society - The Soldiers
Commands in the army seem to have
been among the prizes which from time to time fell to the lot of
ordinary people.
Egyptian Culture
and Society - The Multitude
Below the major classes, and removed
from them by a long interval, was the mass of the population, "the
multitude", as the Egyptians called them. These persons were engaged in
manual labour of different kinds. The greater number were employed on
the farms of the nobles, in the cultivation of the soil or in the
rearing of cattle. A portion were boatmen, fishermen, or fowlers. Others
pursued the various known handicrafts. They were weavers, workers in
metal, stone-cutters, masons, potters, carpenters, upholsterers,
tailors, shoe-makers, glass-blowers, boat-builders, wig-makers, and
embalmers. There were also among them painters and sculptors. But all
these employments were regarded as unworthy of any one who wished to be
thought respectable.
Egyptian Culture and
Society - Promotion
However, the line of demarcation, as
described above, might be crossed and people could be promoted to
different jobs. Men frequently brought up their sons to their own trade
or profession, as they do in all countries, but they were not obliged to
do so, there was absolutely no compulsion in the matter. The
"public-schools" of Egypt were open to all of the population, and the
son of the artizan sat on the same bench with the son of the noble,
enjoyed the same education, and had an equal opportunity of
distinguishing himself. If he showed sufficient promise, he was
recommended to adopt the literary life; and the literary life was the
sure passport to State employment.
Egyptian Culture
and Society - State Employment
State employment once entered upon,
merit secured advancement; and thus there was, in fact, no obstacle to
prevent the son of a labouring man from rising to the very highest
positions in the administration of the empire. Successful ministers were
usually rewarded by large grants of land from the royal domain; and it
follows that a clever youth of the labouring class might by good conduct
and ability make his way even into the ranks of the landed aristocracy.
Egyptian Culture and
Society - The Labourers
The condition of the labouring class
was, generally speaking, a hard and sad one. The kings were entitled to
employ as many of their subjects as they pleased in forced labours, and
monarchs often sacrificed to their inordinate vanity the lives and
happiness of thousands. Private employers of labour were frequently
cruel and exacting; their overseers used the stick, and it was not easy
for those who suffered to obtain any redress. Moreover, taxation was
heavy, and inability to satisfy the collector subjected the defaulter to
the courts.
Egyptian Culture
Each section of this Egyptian website addresses all topics and
provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of
Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details
of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of Egypt, the Ancient Egyptians and of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, King Tut.
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