Peasants
Peasants made up the lowest level of the social pyramid of ancient Egypt.
They were the farmers, construction workers, and the unskilled laborers.
As construction workers, peasants helped build the monuments and pyramids for the pharaoh.
Peasants lived with the fewest comforts of the social classes, and lived in the simplest mud-brick houses. Where the pharaoh and the upper classes had feasts with tons of food, peasants lived off of a simple diet, and at times were forced to eat papyrus because of famine.
They were the farmers, construction workers, and the unskilled laborers.
As construction workers, peasants helped build the monuments and pyramids for the pharaoh.
Peasants lived with the fewest comforts of the social classes, and lived in the simplest mud-brick houses. Where the pharaoh and the upper classes had feasts with tons of food, peasants lived off of a simple diet, and at times were forced to eat papyrus because of famine.
Farming
Despite being the lowest social class, ancient Egyptian society depended on the peasants. The peasants were the farmers who grew the crops that supplied everyone's food.
The life of a farmer revolved around the three seasons of the Nile River.
The flooding season was June to September. The Nile River flooded the grounds and fertilized the fields. This is when they helped build pyramids.
The planting season happened in October. They sowed their fields with mostly wheat and barley.
The harvest season started in March, and peasants worked all day cutting down plants and gathering them.
Reflections
Fairness and Equality
Ancient Egyptian belonged to the social class they were born into and had little chance to move up to a higher class. Being able to move up in social class meant better quality of life. The ancient Egyptians believed in their social classes since it kept order in society. It gave each class duties and jobs that helped the civilization as a whole.
Is this a fair system? Does a government system have to be fair to work? Think about how effective the ancient Egyptian social pyramid was in everyday life by giving groups certain jobs.
Test your knowledge!
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