Social Roles

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Social Standing Pyramid

Background of the Social Pyramid

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. Peasants were the fifth tier of society with slaves making up the lowest social class.

THE STANDINGS OF THE SOCIAL ROLES

The Pharaoh

High Government Officials

Priests and Nobels

Soldiers and Scribes

Craftsmen and merchants

Farmers and unskilled workers

Slaves​​​​​​​

Elaboration

The Pharaoh The most powerful person in ancient Egypt. He is the ruler, the leader, the king of that period of time.He owned all of the land, made laws, collected taxes, and defended Egypt against foreigners. Many pharaohs went to war when their land was threatened or when they wanted to control foreign lands. If the pharaoh won the battle, the conquered people had to recognize the Egyptian pharaoh as their ruler and offer him the finest and most valuable goods from their land. \

High Government Officials The pharaoh chose a group of loyal assistants to help carry out his orders. These government officials assisted the pharaoh directly and advised him in matters about society.Government officials were very wealthy and well respected in ancient Egypt.Officials could inherit positions of power from family members, or earn it through displays of hard work and loyalty. They were sometimes relatives to the pharaoh.

The vizier was second-in-command to the pharaoh. He also acted as the chief judge in cases, and was supposed to remain neutral on issues.The chief treasurer was responsible for the government's wealth and collecting taxes. In ancient Egypt, however, they paid in goods, not in money, such as cloth, grain, animals, and silver.

The general of armies was the top military commander in Egypt after the pharaoh. His job was to advise the pharaoh in matters of war and national security, such as making alliances with other kingdoms.

Priests and Nobles The noble class of Ancient Egypt typically worked for the pharaohs or the royal family in some way.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.

Soldiers and Scribes