Ancient Egyptian Class System.
Ancient Egypt had a rigid social structure that developed a clear class system. There were three classes in the social pyramid – higher, middle and lower and in each class there were even more layers.
Ancient Egypt had a rigid social structure that developed a clear class system. There were three classes in the social pyramid – higher, middle and lower and in each class there were even more layers.
- Higher Class. The higher class was the educated elite of Ancient Egypt and made up 5% of the population. At the top was the Pharaoh, and he received the greatest benefits of all of the Ancient Egyptians. Just below the Pharaoh was the vizier, closely followed by the High Priests, the General and the government officials. All these people were wealthy and well educated and they lived lavished lives of feasts and celebration. They were considerably powerful and controlled most of Ancient Egypt.
- Middle Class. The middle class was the trading/crafting block of Ancient Egypt. This consisted of 10-15% of the population and included local priests and priestesses, musicians, potters, scribes and skilled artisans. These people were in charge of providing equipment and entertainment for not just the high class, but also the lower class. Due to their new – crafts, they could often be wealthy and live well, but they did not share the same power or splendour as the higher class did. The middle class had to pay taxes to the high class.
- Lower Class. The lower class was the hard working class of Ancient Egypt that consisted of 80-85% of the population. This consisted of foot soldiers and archers, beer sellers, farmers selling produce, farmers, peasant farmers, peasants, servants and quarrymen. At the top of the lower class were the farmers, and these farmers were relatively respected as they provided food for the entire nation. The bottom of the lower class were the slaves, who were the least regarded out of the entire nation. The people of the lower class lived in simple huts and were required to pay taxes to the high class as well.