I N T E R A C T I V E
S T U D E N T
N O T E B O O K
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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I N T E R A C T I V E
S T U D E N T
N O T E B O O K
R E ADI N G
N O T E S
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
Priests-
Scribes-
Artisans-
Peasants:
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Courts, armies, taxes, pyramids
Rituals, mummification, burials
Literate! Kept records of events, taxes, inventories, contracts
Carpenters, metalworkers, potters, etc.
Biggest, poorest population of all, farming and pyramid building.
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S T U D E N T
N O T E B O O K
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.
1. Shade in and label the level on the social pyramid that
represents government officials.
Gov. Officials- All appointed by pharaoh or inherited job.
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)
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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Section 6
Follow these directions to complete your Reading Notes for
this section.
1. Shade in and label the level on the social pyramid that
represents artisans.
2. Write down three or more important facts about the types
of artisans and their work.
Artisans
• Wide variety of trades/arts- skilled workers
• Stone carvers- highly skilled-pyramids/tombs/temples
( worked with granite, dolerite, quartz sand for polishing)
• Lower middle class, little recognition for their work.
3. In complete sentences, answer this question: How did the status of artisan
affect the daily lives of people in this social class?
Even though they were skilled at their craft, they received little respect. Only
occasionally would an employer have a banquet to honor an artist who worked
for him. Their homes were modest, not fancy. The homes included a workshop
room. Employers supplied them with food, sometimes went hungry during
food shortages.
Section 7
Follow these directions to complete your Reading Notes for
this section.
1. Shade in and label the level on the social pyramid that
represents peasants.
2. Write down three or more important facts about the work
of peasants during the three seasons.
• Flooding Season-June-Sept. worked on pyramids/temples
Peasants
• Planting Season- Oct.-March Planted mostly wheat, barley.
Maintained irrigation system continually.
• Harvest Season- Men cut with sickles, women and children gathered, sang.
3. In complete sentences, answer this question: How did the status of peasant
affect the daily lives of people in this social class?
Peasants had a difficult life. They lived in small mud brick homes. Ate onions, cucumbers, fish and bread. Rarely ate meat;
too expensive. Very little relaxation time; water raft fights. Took part in festivals to honor gods. Were allowed the left
over grain after harvest; physical punishment for poor harvests.
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I N T E R A C T I V E
S T U D E N T
N O T E B O O K
P R O C E S S I N G
Compare the social pyramid of ancient Egypt with your school’s social
pyramid that you completed in the Preview activity. For each level on the
pyramid, identify at least one way that the two groups are similar and at
least one way that the two groups are different. A sample comparison for
the top level on the pyramid is provided below:
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