Table of Contents
Ancient Egypt had three main social classes–upper, middle, and lower. The upper class consisted of the royal family, rich landowners, government officials, important priests and army officers, and doctors. The middle class was made up chiefly of merchants, manufacturers, and artisans.
What were the three main divisions of Egyptian society?
The history of ancient Egypt is divided into three main periods: the Old Kingdom (about 2,700-2,200 B.C.E.), the Middle Kingdom (2,050-1,800 B.C.E.), and the New Kingdom (about 1,550-1,100 B.C.E.). The New Kingdom was followed by a period called the Late New Kingdom, which lasted to about 343 B.C.E.
How many sections are those dynasties divided into?
In ancient Egyptian history, dynasties are series of rulers sharing a common origin. They are usually, but not always, traditionally divided into 32 pharaonic dynasties; these dynasties are commonly grouped into “kingdoms” and “intermediate periods”.
How is Egyptian history divided by modern scholars?
Egypt’s history has traditionally been divided into 30 (sometimes 31) dynasties. Modern-day scholars often group these dynasties into several periods. Dynasties one and two date back around 5,000 years and are often called the “early dynastic” or “archaic” period.
The Social Structure of Ancient Egypt The social structure of ancient Egypt can be sorted into a social pyramid. At the top of the social pyramid was the pharaoh with the government officials, nobles and priests below him/her. The third tier consisted of the scribes and soldiers with the middle class in the fourth level.
How many levels are there in the Egyptian social pyramid?
The population of ancient Egypt was divided into groups of people with different jobs and responsibilities to society. These social classes were structured as a pyramid with six levels. This social pyramid shows the levels of each social class in terms of importance.
How were the artisans of ancient Egypt organized?
The artisans, like most Egyptians, were organized in hierarchies at the top of which stood royal supervisors like Parennefer, who served under Akhenaten and was buried in the southern cemetery of Akhetaten. Peasants comprised as much as eighty percent of the Egyptian population.
Why was social mobility not encouraged in ancient Egypt?
Social mobility was not encouraged, nor was it observed for most of Egypt’s history, as it was thought that the gods had decreed the most perfect social order which was in keeping with the central value of the culture, ma’at (harmony and balance).