Ancient Egypt's social structure was a complex hierarchy with the pharaoh at the top. From nobles and scribes to artisans and peasants, each group played a vital role in society. The afterlife was central to Egyptian beliefs, shaping daily life and funerary practices.

Writing and record-keeping were crucial, with scribes using hieroglyphics on papyrus. Leisure activities like board games and performances by musicians and acrobats provided entertainment. These aspects of daily life reflect the rich culture of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Social Hierarchy

Pharaoh and Vizier

• Pharaoh was the supreme ruler of ancient Egypt considered a living god on earth with absolute power and authority over all aspects of society
• Believed to be the earthly embodiment of the god Horus and the intermediary between the gods and the people responsible for maintaining order and balance (ma'at)
• Vizier served as the chief minister and advisor to the Pharaoh overseeing the administration of the government, the judiciary, and the treasury
• Vizier acted as the Pharaoh's representative in managing the bureaucracy and ensuring the smooth functioning of the state

Nobles and Scribes

• Nobles were high-ranking officials, landowners, and members of the royal family who held important positions in the government, military, and priesthood
• Enjoyed privileges such as owning large estates, having access to luxury goods, and being exempt from manual labor and taxes
• Scribes were highly educated professionals responsible for writing and record-keeping in various fields such as administration, religion, and literature
• Scribes held a privileged position in society due to their literacy and were exempt from manual labor and military service (could work for the government, temples, or private individuals)

Artisans, Peasants, and Slaves

• Artisans were skilled craftsmen who specialized in creating various goods such as pottery, textiles, jewelry, and stone carvings often working in workshops attached to temples or royal palaces
• Peasants formed the majority of the population and were primarily engaged in agriculture, working the land owned by the Pharaoh, nobles, or temples
• Responsible for cultivating crops, tending to livestock, and paying taxes in the form of a portion of their harvest
• Slaves were at the bottom of the social hierarchy and were usually captives from foreign lands or people who had fallen into debt
• Forced to work in households, temples, or on royal building projects, but some could gain their freedom and integrate into Egyptian society

Writing and Record-keeping

Hieroglyphics and Papyrus

• Hieroglyphics were the formal writing system used in ancient Egypt consisting of pictorial symbols representing words, sounds, and ideas
• Used for religious texts, inscriptions on monuments and tombs, and official documents demonstrating the power and legitimacy of the Pharaoh and the state
• Papyrus was the primary writing material made from the pith of the papyrus plant that grew along the banks of the Nile
• Papyrus scrolls were used for a wide range of purposes including religious texts, administrative records, legal documents, and literary works (The Egyptian Book of the Dead)

Scribes and Their Roles

• Scribes were highly trained professionals responsible for writing and record-keeping in ancient Egypt and were required to undergo extensive education and training
• Played a crucial role in the functioning of the state by maintaining records of taxes, census data, and inventory of resources (grain, cattle, and land)
• Also involved in creating religious texts, recording historical events, and composing literary works such as poems, stories, and wisdom literature (The Tale of Sinuhe)
• Scribes could work for the government, temples, or private individuals and their skills were highly valued and respected in Egyptian society

Funerary Practices and Beliefs

Mummification and the Afterlife

• Mummification was the process of preserving the body after death to ensure the survival of the soul in the afterlife by removing internal organs, drying the body with natron salt, and wrapping it in linen bandages
• Ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife where the soul would continue to exist and the preserved body would serve as a vessel for the soul to return to
• The afterlife was seen as a continuation of life on earth and the deceased were provided with food, drink, and personal belongings for their journey (The Book of the Dead served as a guide)

Ka, Ba, and Canopic Jars

• The Ka was believed to be the life force or spiritual double of a person that was created at birth and continued to exist after death requiring sustenance in the form of food and drink offerings
• The Ba represented the personality, character, and individuality of a person that could leave the tomb and travel freely in the afterlife
• Canopic jars were used during the mummification process to store the internal organs (liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines) of the deceased
• Each jar was associated with a specific god (Sons of Horus) who protected the contents and the jars were placed in the tomb with the mummy to ensure the preservation of the organs for the afterlife

Leisure and Entertainment

Senet and Other Games

• Senet was a popular board game played by ancient Egyptians of all social classes believed to have religious and spiritual significance related to the journey of the soul in the afterlife
• The game involved moving pieces across a board with 30 squares and the objective was to reach the final square before one's opponent (game sets were often placed in tombs for the deceased to play in the afterlife)
• Other games enjoyed by ancient Egyptians included Mehen (a game played on a circular board with lion-shaped pieces), Aseb (a game similar to modern-day checkers), and Hounds and Jackals (a game involving moving pieces through a maze-like board)

Artisans and Entertainers

• Artisans not only created practical and decorative objects but also contributed to leisure activities by crafting musical instruments (harps, flutes, and percussion instruments), toys, and games
• Musicians and dancers provided entertainment at religious festivals, banquets, and other social gatherings performing songs, dances, and plays
• Acrobats, jugglers, and magicians also showcased their skills at various events and were often depicted in tomb paintings and reliefs (Tomb of Nebamun)
• Hunting and fishing were popular leisure activities among the upper classes with the Pharaoh often depicted as a skilled hunter in artwork and literature (The Hunting Palette of King Narmer)