Social Organization in Ancient Egypt

Pharaoh Living god Owner of land and citizens Leader of armies High priest of all gods

Nobility and Military Leaders Highest government position Imperial families controlled high offices Served as a steward to pharaoh Supervised engineering and construction

Priests and Scribes “White kilt class” Respected because they were literate Educated class In charge of some religious functions that pharaoh couldn’t be at Collected taxes, kept records, educated youth Mobile position – could become military leader, gov’t official or high priest Just enough $ to live on, had to pay taxes on land

Crafters Earned a living Weavers, sandal makers, mat makers, potters, brick makers, jewellers, carpenters Lived in city, others employed by the palace of a pharaoh or noble Exported goods

Peasant Farmers Fellahin Common folk – majority of population Illiterate Attached to the estate of the pharaoh/temple/rich land owner Corvee duty – had to work for free on irrigation and tombs If they ran away, considered fugitives and put in prison Children inherited parents’ status

Slaves Prisoners brought back by armies during Middle Kingdom and later Females and children did house work Males were soldiers, farmers, maintenance workers Could own property or rent land Master could set them free