The Egypt Economy
Daily life in ancient Egypt revolved around the Nile and the fertile land along its banks. The yearly flooding of the Nile enriched the soil and brought good harvests and wealth to the land. The people of ancient Egypt built mud brick homes in villages and in the country. They grew some of their own food and traded in the villages for the food and goods they could not produce. Most ancient Egyptians worked as field hands, farmers, craftsmen and scribes. A small group of people were nobles. Together, these different groups of people made up the population of ancient Egypt.
Craftsmen in ancient Egypt were usually trained and skilled laborers. They were often well-respected in the community and had a comfortable lifestyle. Yet every craftsman's lifestyle and social standing depended on the quality of his skills and experience. Thus, some craftsmen had more difficult lives than others. Most craftsmen worked in workshops with other craftsmen. Objects for temples or the pharaoh were made in temple workshops or palace workshops. Objects for ordinary people were made by local craftsmen in small workshops.
Craftsmen in ancient Egypt were usually trained and skilled laborers. They were often well-respected in the community and had a comfortable lifestyle. Yet every craftsman's lifestyle and social standing depended on the quality of his skills and experience. Thus, some craftsmen had more difficult lives than others. Most craftsmen worked in workshops with other craftsmen. Objects for temples or the pharaoh were made in temple workshops or palace workshops. Objects for ordinary people were made by local craftsmen in small workshops.
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/1/1/14116891/1383885399.png)
The daily life in ancient Egypt was actually much different than the vision that commonly comes to mind. Relics found in archeological digs as well as paintings and drawings on pyramid and tomb walls depict images of life in ancient Egypt that was, in some regards, not that much different than life in Egypt today. Life in ancient Egypt was primarily centered toward a polytheistic religion, the pharaoh and the importance of family. In ancient Egypt family life began early. Men and women tended to marry quite young in ancient Egypt and everyday life reflected their commitment to the sanctity of the family unit. Divorce was known to have existed but does not appear to have been that prevalent or common. Marriages were generally polygamous; at least in the royal and noble circles, with the husband having several wives. In most cases there was usually a senior wife or chief wife; however it is apparent that husbands were quite fond of all their wives.
Children were a very important component of life in Egypt and were considered to be a great blessing from the gods. Also in the noble and royal families, children were highly regarded. Paintings of King Akhenaten and his wife, Queen Nefertiti, indicate they had a very close and loving bond with their six daughters.
The role of women in ancient Egyptian society is often a surprise. It is usually assumed that women were relegated to the role of a second class citizen, when actually the opposite was true. Women were allowed to own property, testify in court and conduct business dealings. More than one woman even ruled the Egyptian land as pharaoh. While women were highly regarded and given rights that most of their contemporaries in other lands could only dream of, daily life in ancient Egypt for women also involved responsibilities for most of the duties of the home. It was the woman's responsibility to raise the children, see to the home and prepare the meals.
The daily life of people of ancient Egypt was very involved with the various gods and goddesses who ruled Egyptian mythology. It was quite acceptable to worship more than one deity and most towns and villages throughout Egypt did so, although a city would normally claim a patron god. Temples were built and scattered throughout Egypt, reflecting a religion that involved frequent rites, rituals and practices.
Peasant life in ancient Egypt was not always pleasant. Most peasants made their living off the land through agricultural means. Grain, particularly wheat, was a staple crop of life in ancient Egypt. As a result of few grazing lands and the expense of meat, most peasants subsisted off a diet of ground wheat foods, subsidized with meager vegetables. The Egyptians were one of the first people to introduce the use of the ox-drawn plow; however the work of plowing, planting and harvesting would have still been very difficult. Taxes were also imposed on the crops, which would have also made it difficult for most peasant families to move beyond their poor means.
Modern views on slave life in ancient Egypt are largely contradictory. Many scholars theorize that slaves in ancient Egypt actually performed more in the role of servant than actual slave; while other others have contended that those who were less fortunate in ancient Egyptian society were forced to work in humiliating and degrading positions. A long held theory indicates that the great pyramids of ancient Egypt were built upon slave labor, although this theory has been open to much conjecture.
Life in Egypt today is a reflective blend of a modern society who still appreciates a rich and cultured past. In many ways, not much has changed. The Egyptian people still have a very strong regard for family and children and feel very bonded to the land.
Children were a very important component of life in Egypt and were considered to be a great blessing from the gods. Also in the noble and royal families, children were highly regarded. Paintings of King Akhenaten and his wife, Queen Nefertiti, indicate they had a very close and loving bond with their six daughters.
The role of women in ancient Egyptian society is often a surprise. It is usually assumed that women were relegated to the role of a second class citizen, when actually the opposite was true. Women were allowed to own property, testify in court and conduct business dealings. More than one woman even ruled the Egyptian land as pharaoh. While women were highly regarded and given rights that most of their contemporaries in other lands could only dream of, daily life in ancient Egypt for women also involved responsibilities for most of the duties of the home. It was the woman's responsibility to raise the children, see to the home and prepare the meals.
The daily life of people of ancient Egypt was very involved with the various gods and goddesses who ruled Egyptian mythology. It was quite acceptable to worship more than one deity and most towns and villages throughout Egypt did so, although a city would normally claim a patron god. Temples were built and scattered throughout Egypt, reflecting a religion that involved frequent rites, rituals and practices.
Peasant life in ancient Egypt was not always pleasant. Most peasants made their living off the land through agricultural means. Grain, particularly wheat, was a staple crop of life in ancient Egypt. As a result of few grazing lands and the expense of meat, most peasants subsisted off a diet of ground wheat foods, subsidized with meager vegetables. The Egyptians were one of the first people to introduce the use of the ox-drawn plow; however the work of plowing, planting and harvesting would have still been very difficult. Taxes were also imposed on the crops, which would have also made it difficult for most peasant families to move beyond their poor means.
Modern views on slave life in ancient Egypt are largely contradictory. Many scholars theorize that slaves in ancient Egypt actually performed more in the role of servant than actual slave; while other others have contended that those who were less fortunate in ancient Egyptian society were forced to work in humiliating and degrading positions. A long held theory indicates that the great pyramids of ancient Egypt were built upon slave labor, although this theory has been open to much conjecture.
Life in Egypt today is a reflective blend of a modern society who still appreciates a rich and cultured past. In many ways, not much has changed. The Egyptian people still have a very strong regard for family and children and feel very bonded to the land.
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/1/1/14116891/1383935321.png)
Most people in Ancient Egypt lived in villages and towns in the Nile Valley and the Nile Delta. Houses were normally built of mud brick. In ancient Egypt, as now, the favorite location for settlements was on slightly raised ground near the riverbank, where transport and water were easily available and flooding was unlikely.
Until 1000 BC, Egypt had only a few urban centers, notably Memphis and Thebes. These cities attracted many people and particularly the elite, while the rest of the Egyptians lived in the countryside and worked in agriculture. Most of the land belonged to the king. In the feudal system land was given to high officials to provide them with an income. The people who lived and worked on the land were not free to leave.
Slavery was common in Egypt. Captives and foreigners, or people who were forced by poverty or debt to sell themselves into service were slaves. Some slaves were fortunate enough to marry members of their owners' families, so that they could eventually become free.
In the early periods of Egypt the king ran the country as his own. Later, the Pharaoh, who was given god-like qualities, was the supreme ruler. The lower levels of the government were formed by local rulers and officials.
The ancient temples had both an economic and religious function. The Egyptians were able to organize agriculture in useful ways, with simple means and techniques that tended to originally come from Asia. Also their stone building and figurative arts were of a very high level. The technical and organizational skills developed by Egyptians were indeed remarkable, especially their architecture. The construction of the great pyramids has yet to be fully explained and would be a major challenge to this day.
Women in ancient Egyptian society had a position that was only slightly inferior to that of men. They could own and sell property, and they could also divorce their husbands. They almost never had government jobs, but they became more and more involved in religious affairs as priestesses or "chantresses."
Today Egypt (whose official name is the Arab Republic of Egypt) is a parliamentary democracy. The country's industry has developed a great deal in the 20th century, especially since 1952. This is when Egypt (long a monarchy) became a republic. The state owns much of the economy and plays a key role in economic planning. Beautiful weather, wonderful sandy beaches, and many archeological sites account for the fact that tourism is a main industry that plays an important role in the Egyptian economy.
The major manufactured goods are refined petroleum, chemicals, fertilizers, textiles, clothing, processed foods, construction materials (especially cement), iron and steel, and metal products. The country's farmland is intensively cultivated. However, only 5% of Egypt's total land area is suitable for agriculture. Nonetheless, agriculture is an important economic sector that employs nearly one third of Egypt's workers. The principal crop is cotton (Egypt is the world's sixth largest cotton exporter). Rice, corn, wheat, tomatoes, sugarcane, citrus fruit, dates are also produced.
Cairo, one of the oldest and most famous cities of the world, is the capital. Together with Alexandria, Cairo is also one of the main industrial centers.
About 95% of Egyptians are Muslims, and the official language is Arabic. English is the second language.
Until 1000 BC, Egypt had only a few urban centers, notably Memphis and Thebes. These cities attracted many people and particularly the elite, while the rest of the Egyptians lived in the countryside and worked in agriculture. Most of the land belonged to the king. In the feudal system land was given to high officials to provide them with an income. The people who lived and worked on the land were not free to leave.
Slavery was common in Egypt. Captives and foreigners, or people who were forced by poverty or debt to sell themselves into service were slaves. Some slaves were fortunate enough to marry members of their owners' families, so that they could eventually become free.
In the early periods of Egypt the king ran the country as his own. Later, the Pharaoh, who was given god-like qualities, was the supreme ruler. The lower levels of the government were formed by local rulers and officials.
The ancient temples had both an economic and religious function. The Egyptians were able to organize agriculture in useful ways, with simple means and techniques that tended to originally come from Asia. Also their stone building and figurative arts were of a very high level. The technical and organizational skills developed by Egyptians were indeed remarkable, especially their architecture. The construction of the great pyramids has yet to be fully explained and would be a major challenge to this day.
Women in ancient Egyptian society had a position that was only slightly inferior to that of men. They could own and sell property, and they could also divorce their husbands. They almost never had government jobs, but they became more and more involved in religious affairs as priestesses or "chantresses."
Today Egypt (whose official name is the Arab Republic of Egypt) is a parliamentary democracy. The country's industry has developed a great deal in the 20th century, especially since 1952. This is when Egypt (long a monarchy) became a republic. The state owns much of the economy and plays a key role in economic planning. Beautiful weather, wonderful sandy beaches, and many archeological sites account for the fact that tourism is a main industry that plays an important role in the Egyptian economy.
The major manufactured goods are refined petroleum, chemicals, fertilizers, textiles, clothing, processed foods, construction materials (especially cement), iron and steel, and metal products. The country's farmland is intensively cultivated. However, only 5% of Egypt's total land area is suitable for agriculture. Nonetheless, agriculture is an important economic sector that employs nearly one third of Egypt's workers. The principal crop is cotton (Egypt is the world's sixth largest cotton exporter). Rice, corn, wheat, tomatoes, sugarcane, citrus fruit, dates are also produced.
Cairo, one of the oldest and most famous cities of the world, is the capital. Together with Alexandria, Cairo is also one of the main industrial centers.
About 95% of Egyptians are Muslims, and the official language is Arabic. English is the second language.