Farming was the foundation of the ancient Egyptian economy. It was the most common occupation and was often carried down from father to son. Many farmed their local noble’s land, while more affluent farmers worked their own land that was

Many of the sports played today were also played during the ancient Egyptian period. Many illustrations on the walls of tombs and monuments show that sports like long jump, wrestling, weightlifting, rowing, swimming, shooting, athletics and fishing and a few

The Pharaoh High government officials like the vizier (the pharaoh’s right hand man), the chief treasurer and the army general Priests and nobles (who serve as lesser government officials) Soldiers and scribes (who write down important events and calculate taxes) Craftsmen and

A diverse range of subjects was taught in ancient Egyptian schools. The focus for younger students was usually confined to reading, writing, and basic mathematics. The range of topics expanded as students progressed through to system to include such subjects

After a person died, their remains were transported to the embalmers’ premises. Here three levels of service were available. For the wealthy was the best and therefore the most expensive service. Egypt’s middle classes could take advantage of a more

Members of the king’s royal court enjoyed similar comforts to the king, although with little former responsibilities. Egypt’s nomarchs lived comfortably but their wealth depended on the wealth and importance of their district. Whether a nomarch lived in a modest

Agriculture was the foundation of the ancient Egyptian economy and vital to the lives of the people of the land. Agricultural practices began in the Delta Region of northern Egyptand the fertile basin known as the Faiyum in the Predynastic Period in Egypt (c. 6000 – c. 3150 BCE),

The role of an animal in the modern age is primarily that of companionship or food. Older cultures, however, did not always behold animals in such a manner. In fact, cultures like that of ancient Egypt used some animals for

The distinctive geography of ancient Egypt with a narrow strip of lush fertile land surrounded by desert saw its cities built close to the Nile River. This ensured a ready supply of water, access to hunting grounds in the Niles marshes and a transport

When we think of the Ancient Egyptians we rarely stop to think about their food and drink, yet their diet tells us much about their society and civilization. Egypt may be a hot arid land with vast stretches of shifting

As with other cultures, the home was the centre of social life. Ancient Egyptian homes were built to a generally common layout using a limited range of natural materials. Most houses in ancient Egypt were built using readily available and abundant materials.

Traditionally, the Egyptian economy was based on a barter system right up until the Persian invasion of 525 BCE. Based predominantly on agriculture and herding, the ancient Egyptians employed a monetary unit known as a deben. A deben was the

Unless they were very poor, for ancient Egyptians a marriage typically was accompanied by a contract essentially similar to our current prenuptial agreements. This contract outlined the bride price, which was the amount payable by the family of the groom

The mastaba was used by the early pharaohs of Pre- and Early-Dynastic periods, but faded out of royal use in favor of the pyramids. The word comes from the Arabic word for “bench,” and it was a rectangular structure that

An affinity for making and appreciating music is one of humanity’s defining characteristics. Little wonder then that the vibrant ancient Egyptian culture embraced music and musicians. Music and musicians were valued highly amongst ancient Egyptian society. Music was believed to

Papyrus began as the world’s first type of paper, derived from the Cyperus papyrus plant. Even though it was developed in Egypt, it spread across the ancient world and was used throughout West Asia. Before papyrus became common, many cultures

Make-up kits found in tombs were stored in chests and included bronze or copper mirrors, small jars of make-up or ointments and a variety of applicators the Egyptians used. Both men and women in Ancient Egypt wore make-up. It protected their skin

Even though the story of the Exodus out of ancient Egypt is the Torah’s basis for creation, there is no real archaeological evidence in support of it. The main issue is that with the sheer number of people migrating from one

When we think of ancient Egyptians, the image that most readily pops into our minds is hordes of workers labouring to build a colossal pyramid, while whip-wielding overseers brutally urge them onwards. Alternatively, we imagine Egyptian priests chanting invocations as

Life in Ancient Egypt was quite civilized. People had to work, they played games for recreation and had standards for how they should dress, depending on their class. People even kept pets and gave them names. In these ways, daily

Education in ancient Egypt was shaped by its conservative social system. While education was valued, it was largely restricted to the children of those with means. As the same families often staffed civilian and military positions in the palace administration across generations,

Religion in ancient Egypt permeated every facet of society. Ancient Egyptian religion combined theological beliefs, ritual ceremonies, magical practices and spiritualism. Religion’s central role in everyday Egyptians’ daily lives is due to their belief that their earthly lives represented merely one stage

As with other contemporary civilizations, ancient Egypt’s economy was dependent on a mix of both unskilled and skilled labour. How ancient Egypt organized its labour force was one of the contributing factors to its enduring survival. There were many different careers

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Ancient Egyptians believed marriages were eternal and extended into the afterlife. The life expectancy for most men was their thirties while women frequently as young as sixteen died in childbirth or otherwise only lived slightly longer than their husbands. Thus

Imhotep There have been many famous viziers in history, but perhaps the most famous is Imhotep of the Third Dynasty. Not only was he chancellor to the pharaoh, he was high priest at Heliopolis, an engineer, a physician, and an architect. He

The Nile River, for all its importance to the Ancient Egyptian, had no deity. It didn’t even have a name. Most simply called it “the river,” or “aur,” which means black. The closest thing to a god assigned to the

Most layouts of ancient Egyptian houses were largely determined by how wealthy the family was, whether they lived in a rural area or the city. Archaeologists have found most ancient Egypt houses were built with a flat roof as part

Egyptian society was structured like a pyramid. At the top were the gods, such as Ra, Osiris, and Isis. Egyptians believed that the gods controlled the universe. Therefore, it was important to keep them happy. They could make the Nile

Ptolemaic Egypt rapidly established itself as an economic powerhouse of the ancient world at the end of the 4th century BCE. The wealth of Egypt was owed in large part to the unrivalled fertility of the Nile, which served as the breadbasket of

The Exodus in ancient Egypt refers to a time when the Israelites were led out of Egypt by Moses. The Israelites had been in Egypt for hundreds of years, and eventually became so numerous that the Pharaoh decided he couldn’t

The Nile River has certainly played a critical role in the history of ancient Egypt. Famous as the longest river in the world, the river got its name from the Greek word Neilos, which means valley. The Nile floods the lands

Second in authority only to the pharaoh, the office of vizier in ancient Egypt was a highly coveted position that existed at the very beginning of the Pharaonic period. Usually, this non-royal but prestigious position was bestowed upon a trusted

Tomb robbing in ancient Egypt played an important part in the economic well-being of the society. Although by today’s standards it is considered a dastardly deed, the Egyptians did not view tomb robbing with the same disdain and disgust that

You might be tempted to ignore the stubby structures of frontier Aswan, known in Ancient Egypt as Swenett. You might focus on the more impressive pillars of Cairo and the temples of Giza – but there would be no pyramids

Ancient Egypt enjoyed well-trodden trade links with surrounding cultures in Mesopotamia, Africa and the Mediterranean. Consequently, trade and its merchants was a significant employer in ancient Egypt. Some traders ventured on caravan expeditions to buy and sell fine wares. Other