Egyptian Social Class Activity
"Ancient Egypt had three main social classes--upper, middle, and lower. The upper class consisted of the royal family, rich landowners, government officials, high-ranking priests and army officers, and doctors. The middle class was made up chiefly of merchants, manufacturers, and craftworkers. The lower class, the largest class by far, consisted of unskilled laborers. Most of them worked on farms. Prisoners captured in foreign wars became slaves and formed a separate class.
Ancient Egypt's class system was not rigid. People in the lower or middle class could move to a higher position. They improved their status mainly through marriage or success in their jobs. Even slaves had rights. They could own personal items, get married, and inherit land. They could also be given their freedom." (http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/worldbook/atozhistory/e/175060.html)
The following descriptions
were found at Oddessy Online:
http://carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/EGYPT/people.html
Pharaoh
The ruler of ancient Egypt was called pharaoh . Pharaohs were looked upon as
more than rulers. They were gods chosen to lead the people and maintain order,
and provided an important link between the Egyptian people and their gods. This
word comes from "per-ao" or "great house." The title shows respect for the king
by referring to him as the palace where government decisions were made. Egypt
was usually ruled by a man, although a few women did rule in their own right.
Priests
Because the pharaoh could not perform ceremonies at all the temples throughout
Egypt, he appointed high priests to carry out the sacred rituals at each temple.
Priests often passed down their positions from father to son. They enjoyed great
power and wealth in Egyptian society.
Soldiers
The Egyptian army was well organized and included infantry and chariot troops.
The infantry, or foot soldiers, carried spears, shields, and battle axes. The
chariot troops were archers and shot arrows from the platform of the chariot.
During peace time, soldiers worked on government projects such as digging irrigation
canals for farming, or transporting stone for the king's tomb.
Scribes
Scribes were highly valued members of Egyptian society. They studied for many
years to learn to read and write. Scribes had great opportunities as accountants,
priests, doctors, and government officials of all sorts. One scribe, Horemhab
, even became pharaoh!
Merchants
Egypt was one of the wealthiest countries in the ancient world. Egyptian merchants
(actually, they were more like traders) carried products such as gold, papyrus
made into writing paper or twisted into rope, linen cloth, and jewelry to other
countries. In exchange, they brought back cedar and ebony wood, elephant tusks,
panther skins, giraffe tails for fly whisks, and animals such as baboons and
lions for the temples or palaces.
Artisans
The Egyptian objects that we see in museums today were created by anonymous
artists employed by the pharaoh, the government, or temples. Artists worked
in large workshops rather than in individual studios as they often do today.
Carpentry, metalwork, jewelry making, pottery, sculpture, wall painting, glass
making, and weaving are some of the crafts they practiced.
Farmers
Peasant farmers worked lands belonging to the pharaoh, the government, a temple,
or a rich landowner. Their pay barely covered their living expenses. In addition
to plowing, planting, and harvesting, they maintained the irrigation canals
that brought water to their fields and were required to work on the pharaoh's
tomb construction project each year.
Slaves & Servants
The lowest class of Egyptian society, these workers were often foreigners. They
worked in the household or in the fields. Slaves could be bought and sold like
property. People could also sell themselves into slavery and buy themselves
out of it.