Essay

Describe the Social Hierarchy of the Ancient Egyptians
The hierarchy or social class of Ancient Egypt includes pharaoh, government officials-nobles, priests, soldiers, scribes, merchants, artisans, farmers, and slaves and servants. Most of these classes were held by men. Women would just take care of the house and children. The slaves and servants were at the bottom and pharaoh was at the top. The social class would be ranked like a pyramid. The highest class at the top and the lower class at the bottom.

Starting at the bottom, the slaves and servants would helped the wealthy with household and child raising duties. The farmers would raise wheat, barley, lentils, onions which benefited from irrigation of the Nile. Artisans would carve statues and reliefs showing military and scenes in the afterlife. The money/barter system was used by merchants. They might accept bags of grain for payment-later, coinage came about. Scribes kept records, told stories, wrote poetry, described anatomy, and described anatomy and medical treatments. Soldiers would use wooden weapons (bow and arrow, spears) with bronze tips and might ride chariots. The upper class was known as the "White Kilt Class" which include priests, physicians, and engineers. The Pharaoh was at the top, they were a religious and political leader. They hold the titles "Lord of the Two Lands and High Priests of Every Temple," they ruled upper and lower Egypt, owned all land, made laws, collected taxes, and defended Egypt against foreigners.

Some women dressed like men so they can become pharaoh. The Pharaoh was all powerful, worshipped as a god, and connected to other major gods and goddesses. The pharaoh was referred to as a god-king. Pharaoh had many wives some with their own sister. They all followed under these leaders and rulers. Women weren't big in Egypt as men were, only a few wielded real political power. They weren't apart of the high social classes. Some women could inherit money and land and even divorce their husbands.


Discuss the Importance of the Nile River in the lives of Egyptians
The Nile River was a major part of the geography of Egypt. It was much revered in lore and writing. The Nile River was surrounded by Egypt. It flows South to North. It is 4000 (4258) miles long. The Nile empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Nile is for drinking, irrigation, bathing and transportation. They can also use the Nile for trade.  Every July it floods. Every October it leaves behind rich soil which can be used for farming. The top of Nile is called the delta and it is a broad, marshy, triangular area of fertile soil. Managing the river required technological breakthroughs in irrigation.

 The Nile can be a life or death feature for the Egyptians. They can use it for water, food and feed for their animals. Without the Nile River there won't be a civilization in Egypt because it is all desert. The Egyptians would keep dates of when the Nile would flood so they can keep a record and be ready for when the next flood would happen. After the Nile floods they would be able to grow crops because of the fertile ground.