Social Structure
The Egyptian social structure was compared to what shape?
How did Egyptians view their pharaohs?
As gods on Earth / divine rulers
What was the main job of scribes?
Recording taxes, laws, grain storage, and other records
Who worked the land and provided food for Egypt?
Farmers
Timeframe of Ancient Egypt civilization?
3000 B.C. – 30 B.C.
Who was at the very top of this social pyramid?
The Pharaoh
Name one responsibility of the Pharaoh.
Maintaining order, leading the army, overseeing religious practices, collecting taxes, etc.
How did nobles benefit from their position?
Wealth, land, and political influence
What group was forced to work as the lowest class?
Slaves
What remarkable feature did the Pyramids of Giza have?
They were the tallest structures on Earth at the time
What role ensured taxes were collected?
The Vizier
Who acted as the Pharaoh’s chief advisor and tax supervisor?
The Vizier
What was the role of priests in society?
Conducting rituals and maintaining favor of the gods
What percent of society were farmers and slaves (roughly)?
The vast majority — around 80–90%
Why were the pyramids built?
As tombs for pharaohs (religious purposes)
Could Egyptians move up in social rank? How?
Yes, through education or success in their role (scribes, soldiers, etc.)
What kind of government did this system represent?
A theocracy (government tied to religion)
What did soldiers receive in return for their service?
Land, riches, and sometimes social advancement
What major projects did slaves/farmers help build?
Pyramids and temples
What was the purpose of the Great Sphinx?
To guard the pyramids
What group was at the very bottom of society?
Farmers and slaves
Why did Egyptians trust their Pharaoh with so much power?
They believed Pharaohs maintained harmony between gods and people (ma’at).
Why were scribes especially important for Egypt?
Few people could read/write, so they preserved history, laws, and culture.
Name one way a farmer could move up in society.
Joining the army, becoming educated, or working as a scribe
What happened to the outer limestone layers over time?
They were stolen and used for other building projects