Ancient Egyptian social structure
- Ancient Egyptian government.
- The Pharaoh.
- Government Officials.
- Soldiers.
- Scribes.
- Merchants.
- Craftsmen.
- Peasants.
Who was at the top of Egyptian society?
The pharaoh
The pharaoh was at the top of the social hierarchy. Next to him, the most powerful officers were the viziers, the executive heads of the bureaucracy. Under them were the high priests, followed by royal overseers (administrators) who ensured that the 42 district governors carried out the pharaoh’s orders.
Did ancient Egypt have a caste system?
The ancient Egyptian people were grouped in a hierarchical system with the Pharaoh at the top and farmers and slaves at the bottom. Egyptian social classes had some porous borders but they were largely fixed and clearly delineated, not unlike the medieval feudal system.
How long did ancient Egypt last?
For almost 30 centuries—from its unification around 3100 B.C. to its conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.—ancient Egypt was the preeminent civilization in the Mediterranean world.
What social class were slaves in ancient Egypt?
The middle class was made up chiefly of merchants, manufacturers, and artisans. The lower class, the largest class by far, consisted of unskilled labourers. Most of them worked on farms. Prisoners captured in foreign wars became slaves and formed a separate class.
What was the rank of the pharaoh in Egypt?
Egyptian Royal Hierarchy The Pharaoh – The Pharaoh was the king of the entire Egypt. He was considered son of the God and was equally worshipped after the Gods of the Egypt. The Pharaoh’s Wife – The next rank in the hierarchy is of Pharaoh’s wife.
What was the royal hierarchy in ancient Egypt?
So the entire Egyptian royal hierarchy was centralized and revolved around the Pharaoh. The Egyptian royal hierarchy has been described below in brief with a ladder format starting from the highest rank and ending with the lowest one as below. The Pharaoh – The Pharaoh was the king of the entire Egypt.
What was the role of the pharaoh in ancient Egypt?
As ancient Egyptian rulers, pharaohs were both the heads of state and the religious leaders of their people. The word “ pharaoh ” means “Great House,” a reference to the palace where the pharaoh resides. While early Egyptian rulers were called “kings,” over time, the name “pharaoh” stuck.
What was the society like in ancient Egypt?
Egyptian society was structured like a pyramid. At the top were the gods, such as Ra, Osiris, and Isis. Egyptians believed that the gods controlled the universe. Therefore, it was important to keep them happy. They could make the Nile overflow, cause famine, or even bring death.