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Chapter 9- Sections 1- 5 Notes
Daily Life in Ancient Egypt- Chapter 9
How did social class affect daily life in ancient Egypt?
P R E V I E W
Using the list below, copy the name of each individual or group below onto the level
of the pyramid where you think it belongs. For each name, write a short sentence to
explain why you placed it at that level on the pyramid.
Students
Principal
Teachers
Student Council
Office Staff Assistant Principal
My School’s Social Pyramid
Principal- most authority- biggest paycheck?
Assistant Principal- 2nd most authority and wealth? Does
not have authority over Principal.
Office Staff- handle important confidential information,
documents, serious student issues.
Teachers- have authority over students, educate students.
Student Council- have input as to activities and changes for student body.
Students- have authority only over themselves; control their own actions.
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Key Content Terms
As you complete the Reading Notes, use these terms in your answers.
social pyramid
social class
status
noble
peasant
afterlife
hieroglyph
Section 2
Identify the social class in ancient Egypt that belongs on each level of the social
pyramid below. Draw a symbol or visual to represent each social class. Then
write a brief caption explaining what the symbol or visual means. An example
is completed for you. Answer the questions that follow.
The pharaoh , Egypt’s supreme
ruler, wore a special headdress
like this one as a symbol of his
power.
Government Officials
pyramids
Priests-
Scribescontracts
Artisans-
Peasants:
building.
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Courts, armies, taxes,
Rituals, mummification, burials
Literate! Kept records of events, taxes, inventories,
Carpenters, metalworkers, potters, etc.
Biggest, poorest population of all, farming and pyramid
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1. Why was ancient Egyptian society structured like a pyramid? It was structured like a pyramid because
there were very few extremely rich and powerful people, and a huge number of very poor, powerless people. Every
group of people between grew larger as their wealth and power diminished. (decreased)
2. How did religion affect the organization of the social pyramid? Priests were fairly high on the pyramid
because religion was practiced by the entire population, was a part of daily life and priests were believed to be able to
influence the actions of the gods.
3. In what ways did Egyptian women enjoy more freedom and rights than most
women in the ancient world? Egyptian women were able to own land, run businesses,
file for divorce from their husbands, represent themselves in court. Some actually were
priestesses, doctors, and government officials.
4. Why do you think that the social pyramid in ancient Egypt was rigid?
Children of the peasant and artisan classes were usually educated by their parents so they would grow up to work in the
same occupation as their parents. There was no free public education to allow them to be literate and choose a different
career. The upper classes did not want to educate the lower classes; lower classes were needed to do those jobs.
Egyptians believed it was a good arrangement.
Section 3
Follow these directions to complete your Reading Notes for
this section.
Gov. Officials
1. Shade in and label the level on the social pyramid that
represents government officials.
2. Write down three or more important facts about the types
of government officials and their responsibilities.
• Vizier- advised pharaoh, supervised other officials, chief judge.
• Chief Treasurer- managed money, taxes: goods collected
• General of Armies- security, wars, treaties (with pharaoh’s approval)
ALL APPOINTED BY PHARAOH OR INHERITED FROM FATHERS WHO WERE
APPOINTED BY PHARAOH- NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO PERFORM JOB WELL.
3. In complete sentences, answer this question: How did the status
of government official affect the daily lives of people in this social class?
People of this social status enjoyed a life of luxury: fine homes, banquets, time for relaxing, entertainment.
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Section 4
Follow these directions to complete your Reading Notes for
this section.
1. Shade in and label the level on the social pyramid that
represents priests.
Priests
2. Write down three or more important facts about the types
of priests and their duties.
• Temple priests- in temples all over; healings, advice, rituals
• Priestesses- equality; in charge of temples for music and dancing.
• High Priest- worked only with pharaoh, conducted his ceremonies.
3. In complete sentences, answer this question: How did the status of priest affect
the daily lives of people in this social class?
Priests were highly respected as religion was so important to all citizens, priests needed to perform multiple daily
cleansings and keep their bodies shaved, eat a special diet and avoid wearing animal products (wool or leather).
Section 5
Follow these directions to complete your Reading Notes for
this section.
1. Shade in and label the level on the social pyramid that
represents scribes.
2. Write down three or more important facts about scribe
schools and the types of work scribes did.
Scribes
• Boys only attended for many years.
• Harsh physical punishments/ memorized over 700 hieroglyphics
• Highly respected job, well paid.
3. In complete sentences, answer this question: How did the status of scribe affect
the daily lives of people in this social class?
Scribes were highly respected but had to endure years of long hours at school and harsh beatings by
their teachers. They worked in many parts of the government; from tax records to army records and census
information.
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