Life In Ancient Egypt

Words: 1460
Pages: 6

Wannah Freeman

HIST-181-01 M-Thurs

Professor Walsh

April 30, 2016

Life in ancient Egypt varied from person to person depending on your rank. There were slaves, craftsmen, scribes, nobles, viziers, and last but definitely not least your Pharaoh. Starting with peasants and slaves they were ranked as lower class and generally lived to be about twenty-five years old if they were lucky (Sherman 2011a). Going with their stages of life they barely had a childhood. As soon as they were able to walk and talk children aided their mother and father in house tasks. Little girls were taught the basics of cooking while boys were taught the basics of construction with their fathers.

Family members in the home consisted of the husband,
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Hathor the female deity who was depicted as a cow or a cow headed woman who is associated with fertility (Sherman 2011a). Nut, Isis, and Bastet were also known to be prayed to for an abundant harvest season. A small symbol representing a god or goddess could be kept in the home and given offerings such as food. The sole purpose of this symbol was to protect the home and those who live in it, particularly the children (Sherman 2011a).

The childhood of a scribe was far different from that of a peasant child. They generally lived in comfort and were loved dearly by their parents based on the paintings on the tombs of the wealthy (Witherbee). These paintings also give us an idea of what games were played. Various ball games, tug of war, and chess. These games entertained children of all social classes. Children at the time usually went naked except for jewelry and an amulet that was given to every child at birth
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The pharaoh was both a king and a god, and an Egyptian's duty was both a physical and political devotion and obligation. Aside from the pharaoh, the Egyptians worshipped an array of gods and goddesses. The patron god of the scribes was Thoth (Witherbee). Usually depicted as a human with the head of a bird. Thoth was believed to be the god who weighed the hearts of human beings as they passed from the mortal world. His accounting of a deceased Egyptian's moral worth determined their fate in the afterlife (Witherbee). Scribes were second in command to the royal family in the political sense. These men were in charge of keeping track of expenses, paying workers and