1. Social Organization in Ancient Egypt

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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