Social Heirarchy In Ancient Egypt
Society in ancient egypt resembled many other civilizations in its hierarchy and social class structure with the exception of the role of women. In ancient egypt, women somewhat enjoyed similar legal and economic rights. In ancient egypt, the disparities between power was based on social class, not gender.
Society in ancient Nubia, women played similar roles as in the Egyptian civilization.
The highest level of social class was the Pharaoh. He was the king and the ultimate ruler. Obedience and loyalty was due to the pharaoh. Following this class was the priest, nobles, and viziers. They worked for the pharaoh or "royal family" in some given way. Priest, who were usually appointed by the pharaoh, performed ceremonies that the pharaoh could not. Following the government officials was the soldiers. Given their name, their job is obvious. They defend Egypt when attacked by unwanted invaders and terrorist. Scribes were people who learned to read and write. They were the only people allowed to have any significant knowledge. To become a scribe, one must attend a special school and learn the hieroglyphic and hieratic scripts which took typically 4-5 years. Merchants come next in the pyramid. Their job is to deliver gold, papyrus made into writing paper, elephant tusk, panther skin, etc to temples or palaces. They traded goods instead of money at this period. Under the merchants lie the craftmen. Craftsmen were trained and skilled laborers Their respect in the community depended upon the kind of skill they had. They worked in workshops making objects for temples and the pharaoh Only local craftsmen made objects for ordinary people. Lastly, we have the peasants and slaves. 80% of the population were peasants. Most worked in fields producing crop while some were servants in the homes of rich upper class men. When the weather didn't permit fieldwork peasants often worked on large building projects for the government Slaves were more often than not, prisoners of war. They did as their masters said but one thing varied in the definition of slaves there and in european times. Slaves back then could own their own land, mary freeborn people and even have their own servants. Slavery back then didn't mean total ownership.
Society in ancient Nubia, women played similar roles as in the Egyptian civilization.
The highest level of social class was the Pharaoh. He was the king and the ultimate ruler. Obedience and loyalty was due to the pharaoh. Following this class was the priest, nobles, and viziers. They worked for the pharaoh or "royal family" in some given way. Priest, who were usually appointed by the pharaoh, performed ceremonies that the pharaoh could not. Following the government officials was the soldiers. Given their name, their job is obvious. They defend Egypt when attacked by unwanted invaders and terrorist. Scribes were people who learned to read and write. They were the only people allowed to have any significant knowledge. To become a scribe, one must attend a special school and learn the hieroglyphic and hieratic scripts which took typically 4-5 years. Merchants come next in the pyramid. Their job is to deliver gold, papyrus made into writing paper, elephant tusk, panther skin, etc to temples or palaces. They traded goods instead of money at this period. Under the merchants lie the craftmen. Craftsmen were trained and skilled laborers Their respect in the community depended upon the kind of skill they had. They worked in workshops making objects for temples and the pharaoh Only local craftsmen made objects for ordinary people. Lastly, we have the peasants and slaves. 80% of the population were peasants. Most worked in fields producing crop while some were servants in the homes of rich upper class men. When the weather didn't permit fieldwork peasants often worked on large building projects for the government Slaves were more often than not, prisoners of war. They did as their masters said but one thing varied in the definition of slaves there and in european times. Slaves back then could own their own land, mary freeborn people and even have their own servants. Slavery back then didn't mean total ownership.
Transportation In Ancient Egypt
Not many people owned boats seeing as there was only one place a boat could go - the Nile River. You had to build or buy your own and they were usually made with straw, The fastest way to get around was a charito. They could go 25 miles per hour and they were usually pulled by one or two horses. Reins, belts tied around the horses necks, were used to steer into the right direction. Chariots were used mostly for war. One hand on the reins, one hand holding a spear. Not many people used this either. Camels were the main way of transportation. Camels were desired because they can go a long way without water, food, or rest which was important because egyptians usually traveled through the desert where these supplies and necessities were lacking. They can also carry heavy loads on their backs.
New Kingdom Period vs Earlier egyptian periods.
(Kush relations)
(From left to right: Old, Middle, then New Kingdom)
The Old Kingdom nicknamed the "Pyramid Age" because Pharaohs were buried in pyramids only during this period of history.
The Middle Kingdom was Egypt's "Golden age". They flourished in trade, art, and literature. Their armies grew strong and the pharaohs during this period were expected to be wise good leaders.
The New Kingdom: The kingdom of Egypt was expanded through military conquest and became powerful.
Relationship with Kush during this time
Egypt invaded and overthrew the monarchy of Kush during the New Kingdom as it expanded south. The fight wasn't short lived, but in the end, Egypt prevailed. Kush then became a part of Egypt led by Thutmoses the 3rd who was the leader during this expansion. Gold from Kush was now Egypts so that contributed to the "Golden Age" in Middle Age egypt.
The Old Kingdom nicknamed the "Pyramid Age" because Pharaohs were buried in pyramids only during this period of history.
The Middle Kingdom was Egypt's "Golden age". They flourished in trade, art, and literature. Their armies grew strong and the pharaohs during this period were expected to be wise good leaders.
The New Kingdom: The kingdom of Egypt was expanded through military conquest and became powerful.
Relationship with Kush during this time
Egypt invaded and overthrew the monarchy of Kush during the New Kingdom as it expanded south. The fight wasn't short lived, but in the end, Egypt prevailed. Kush then became a part of Egypt led by Thutmoses the 3rd who was the leader during this expansion. Gold from Kush was now Egypts so that contributed to the "Golden Age" in Middle Age egypt.
Significance of the Cult of Osiris
It is one of the most famous cults in ancient egypt which had faith in the myth of Osiris and Isis. Osiris was "god was the dead" and was worshiped as the controller of the Nile floods, sunrise, and sunset. He was basically the epicenter of life, death, and rebirth.
People in ancient egypt used to worship the sun, earth, moon, sky and nile river in order to live a peaceful life. The Sun God, Ra was the supreme God but he was gradually replaced by Osiris because of his ability to control death.
Osiris later took on some character traits of Ra. (god of the afterlife, the regeneration of non-human life on earth,and increased association with agriculture). He was depicted as a green and black complexioned pharaoh. Green = rebirth while Black = fertility on the Nile.
Myth of Osiris and Isis
Osiris was the son of Geb & Nut and was born in Thebes. His father gave him throne after retirement and he married his wife, Isis. He was considered a noble man for his fair laws to his people. Osiris then left his wife to rule egypt and spread his rule around the world. His jealous brother, Set, began plotting his death in order to take over the throne. Set built a coffin best fit for Osiris and locked him in there and threw the coffin in the Nile. Set told everyone about his death and replaced Osiris's throne. An unhappy wife, Isis, set out to find her husbands body and discovered it in Byblos and brought it back home. Set found the body, tore it into pieces and threw them back in the Nile but an unsettled wife set out again to search for the body which she collected again, bandaging the pieces back together. This was the first ancient mummy. Isis and Osiris son, Horus took revenge of his father death and spread the cult of Osiris. Christianity then took over Egypt and Osiris was left has a legacy.
People in ancient egypt used to worship the sun, earth, moon, sky and nile river in order to live a peaceful life. The Sun God, Ra was the supreme God but he was gradually replaced by Osiris because of his ability to control death.
Osiris later took on some character traits of Ra. (god of the afterlife, the regeneration of non-human life on earth,and increased association with agriculture). He was depicted as a green and black complexioned pharaoh. Green = rebirth while Black = fertility on the Nile.
Myth of Osiris and Isis
Osiris was the son of Geb & Nut and was born in Thebes. His father gave him throne after retirement and he married his wife, Isis. He was considered a noble man for his fair laws to his people. Osiris then left his wife to rule egypt and spread his rule around the world. His jealous brother, Set, began plotting his death in order to take over the throne. Set built a coffin best fit for Osiris and locked him in there and threw the coffin in the Nile. Set told everyone about his death and replaced Osiris's throne. An unhappy wife, Isis, set out to find her husbands body and discovered it in Byblos and brought it back home. Set found the body, tore it into pieces and threw them back in the Nile but an unsettled wife set out again to search for the body which she collected again, bandaging the pieces back together. This was the first ancient mummy. Isis and Osiris son, Horus took revenge of his father death and spread the cult of Osiris. Christianity then took over Egypt and Osiris was left has a legacy.
Bantu Migrations
The Bantu migration influenced the development of societies in Sub-Saharan Africa by spreading iron metallurgy and agricultural techniques. It introduced animal herding, the Bantu language, and iron use.