Occupations and Jobs:
Egypt:
http://www.king-tut.org.uk/ancient-egyptians/ancient-egyptian-jobs.htm
What types of jobs were available to the Ancient Egyptians? It was not just building work
relating to the construction of pyramids and monuments. The golden age of the Ancient
Egyptians spanned over 3000 years during which the Ancient Egyptians lived in a well
ordered society which was administered by people with jobs relating to the government
of the country, law enforcement, judges and courts. All classes of society paid taxes
which in turn paid for the government and army - more Ancient Egyptian jobs. The jobs
undertaken by Ancient Egyptian scribes revolved around work relating to the government
of Egypt they were the civil servants of Ancient Egypt! The Ancient Egyptian religion
also required various types of people undertaking the jobs related to religion and running
the temples. For comprehensive information about specific occupations and jobs in
Ancient Egypt click the following link to Ancient Egyptians
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - The Pyramid of Power
The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid of power provides an overview of the jobs undertaken in
Ancient Egypt and the status that was associated with them. These jobs could be divided
into state employment and the protection and government of the country, private
employment and jobs relating to working on estates, jobs relating to the religion and the
temples, the doctors, the artists, the craftsmen and finally the laborers.
The Pharaoh
The Great Royal Wife
Members of the immediate Royal Family
Vizier
Noblemen
Army Officers
Court Officials
Priests and Priestesses, Doctors
Scribes and Teachers
Artists
Craftsmen
Foot Soldiers
Fishermen and Farmers
Laborers, Tomb Builders
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - The Government of Egypt
The government of Ancient Egypt required a variety of jobs. The Vizier was the most
important court official and equivalent to a Prime Minister. Many of these jobs were
undertaken at the court, other government jobs were held throughout the country. The
different types of jobs allocated to court and government officials and employees
included:
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Managing the building and construction of the royal monuments including labor
and resources
Architects and Engineers
Jobs relating to legal issues - All important legal issues were documented
including wills, trials and property deeds
Jobs relating to controlling civil order - similar to the police of today
Jobs relating to managing the food supply and distribution
Tax Collectors and jobs relating to conducting a regular census of the population
in order to collect taxes
Managing important industries - Fishing, Farming etc
Recording rainfall and water levels of the Nile which indicated the possibility of
floods or famine
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - The Scribes
Many scribes held government posts throughout the country relating to the
documentation of legal matters. Scribes were also responsible for jobs relating to
teaching. There was also considerable money to be made by scribes who created the
documents which were buried with Egyptians which included a selection of spells taken
from the Book of the Dead. Ancient Egyptian Scribe
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - The Priests / Priestesses and Astrologers
The Priests and Priestesses looked after the temples and conducted the religious
ceremonies. Astrologers also had important jobs relating to religious observances and the
location and position for temples and tombs.
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - The Servants
There were jobs for servants who undertook important jobs in running wealthy
households and palaces such as cooks, although slaves were also used for this purpose.
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - Engineers and Architects
The vast building programs in Ancient Egypt necessitated the jobs of engineers and
architects.
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - The Builders and Artists
The vast building programs in Ancient Egypt necessitated jobs for laborers and builders.
Contrary to popular opinion ordinary Egyptians undertook these roles on a conscription
basis, although slaves were also used for this purpose. The condition of the labouring
class was, generally speaking, a hard one. The kings were entitled to employ as many of
their subjects as they pleased in forced labor. There were craftsmen who were also
employed for complicated stone cutting and creating sculptures. Artists were employed to
decorated the homes of wealthy Egyptians and to decorate tombs and temples.
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - The Soldiers
Commands in the army provided the opportunity for ordinary people to rise in society.
The most common jobs were related to the foot soldiers but the charioteers were a
respected force. Ancient Egyptian Soldier
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - The Entertainers
There were entertainers who were the dancers and acrobats who entertained wealthy
Egyptians. Some dancers also had jobs relating to dancing at religious festivals.
Ancient Egyptian Jobs - Manual Laborers, Fishermen and Farmers
There were different types of manual labor, apart from the builders, who had jobs on the
farms of the nobles, in the cultivation of the soil or in the rearing of cattle. There were
also boatmen, fishermen and fowlers. There were also jobs for weavers, metal workers,
potters, carpenters, upholsterers, tailors, shoe-makers, glass-blowers, boat-builders, wigmakers, and embalmers.
Ancient Egyptian Jobs
Each section of this Egyptian website addresses all topics and provides interesting facts
and information about the Golden Age of Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details of all
of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of Egypt, the Ancient
Egyptians and of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, King Tut.
http://www.mastudentsite.org/ct1/joglekar/pages/jobs.htm
A Pharaohs Job
The Pharaoh had to do a job everyday, the pharaohs work reflected on his
leadership skills. The pharaohs were considered gods by their people, and held
a high position in everyone’s life. The Pharaoh represented the gods, and took
extra responsibility in honoring them. A Pharaoh had to deal with the law and
admisnistration to keep the everything going smooth. The Pharaoh ruled Upper
and Lower Egypt, but had advisors to help him. They were the highest rank in
the society, and you had to obey the pharaoh, or you would face serious
consequences. A Pharaoh had duties to do, and if he failed, then he would
cause a rebellion between the people and himself, or he would be forced off the
throne.
A Pharaohs Duties For The
People
Since the pharaoh was considered the highest priest out of all of them, the
pharaoh looked after the priests who performed the ceremonies. The pharaoh
took care of and looked after the law and administration. If someone went
against the law, or anyone got into any fights, the pharaoh would be the one to
solve the problems. The pharaoh would have to pray to the gods every day to
keep them happy. The pharaoh was involved in not just religion, but politics
too.
Own ideas:
What were the jobs in ancient Egypt and what was expected of them?
The different jobs were:
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Pharaoh: the king, ruler of everyone, with advisors for help. The pharaoh had to keep the
gods happy by praying, and he had to sort out anyone who broke a law or started a fight.
Vizier: see government and laws page
Scribes: held post to do with documentation of legal matters. Also needed for teaching.
Priests/Priestesses and Astrologers: Priests would look after temples and religious
ceremonies, astrologers would look for a location for a temple or tomb.
Servants: ran households and palaces, with jobs like cooking and probably cleaning as well.
Engineers and Architects: In charge of building and designing houses, palaces, etc.
Craftsmen: Creating stone sculptures, though I also think it may have involved painting
Builders: built new buildings under control of architects and engineers.
Soldiers: commands in the army, on foot and sometimes in chariots.
Entertainers: dancers and acrobats, usually to entertain rich Egyptians
Farmers and Manual Laborers: take care of animals and fields, and harvesting and planting.
This part of the pyramid of power it also includes weavers, metal workers, potters,
carpenters, upholsterers, tailors, shoe-makers, glass-blowers, boat-builders, wig-makers, and
embalmers.