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King Tutankhamun (Tutankhamen or simply King Tut) ruled Egypt as pharaoh for 10 years until his death at age 19, around 1324 B.C. Though his rule was notable for reversing the religious reforms of his father Akhenaten, Tutankhamun's legacy was largely negated by his successors. He was barely known to the modern world until 1922, when British archaeologist Howard Carter chiseled into the intact tomb of King Tut. The tomb's hoard of treasure, intended to accompany the king into the afterlife, revealed an incredible amount about life in ancient Egypt, and made Tutankhamun the world's most famous pharaoh.

Who Was King Tut?

Genetic testing has verified that King Tut was the grandson of the great pharaoh Amenhotep III, and almost certainly the son of Akhenaten, a controversial figure in the history of the 18th dynasty of Egypt's New Kingdom (c.1550-1295 B.C.). Akhenaten upended a centuries-old religious system to favor worship of a single deity, the sun god Aten, and moved Egypt's religious capital from Thebes to Amarna.

After Akhenaten's death, two intervening pharaohs briefly reigned before the nine-year-old prince, then called Tutankhaten, took the throne.

Did you know? Carter's patron, Lord Carnarvon, died four months after first entering the tomb, leading journalists to popularize a "Curse of the Pharaohs," claiming that hieroglyphs on the tomb walls promised swift death to those who disturbed King Tut. More than a dozen deaths have been attributed to the curse, but studies have shown that those who entered the tomb on average lived just as long as their peers who didn't enter.

Tutankhamun reversed Akhenaten's reforms early in his reign, reviving worship of the god Amun, restoring Thebes as a religious center and changing the end of his name to reflect royal allegiance to the creator god Amun. He also worked in concert with his powerful advisers Horemheb and Ay-both future pharaohs-to restore Egypt's stature in the region.

How Did King Tut Die?

There are many theories as to what killed King Tut at the age of 19. He was tall but physically frail, with a crippling bone disease in his clubbed left foot. He is the only pharaoh known to have been depicted seated while engaged in physical activities like archery. Traditional inbreeding in the Egyptian royal family also likely contributed to the boy king's poor health and early death. DNA tests published in 2010 revealed that Tutankhamun's parents were brother and sister, and that King Tut's wife Ankhesenamun was also his half-sister. Their only two daughters were stillborn.

Because Tutankhamun's remains revealed a hole in the back of the skull, some historians had concluded that the young king was assassinated, but recent tests suggest that the hole was made during mummification. CT scans in 1995 showed that the king had an infected broken left leg, while DNA from his mummy revealed evidence of multiple malaria infections, all of which may have contributed to his early death.

King Tut: Mummy and Tomb

After he died, Tutankhamun was mummified according to Egyptian religious tradition, which held that royal bodies should be preserved and provisioned for the afterlife. Embalmers removed his organs and wrapped him in resin-soaked bandages, a 24-pound solid gold portrait mask was placed over his head and shoulders and he was laid in a series of nested containers-three golden coffins, a granite sarcophagus and four gilded wooden shrines, the largest of which barely fit into the tomb's burial chamber.

Because of his tomb's small size, historians suggest King Tut's death must have been unexpected and his burial rushed by Ay, who succeeded him as pharaoh. The tomb's antechambers were packed to the ceiling with more than 5,000 artifacts, including furniture, chariots, clothes, weapons and 130 of the lame king's walking sticks.

The entrance corridor was apparently looted soon after the burial, but the inner rooms remained sealed. The pharaohs who followed King Tut chose to ignore his reign, as despite his work restoring Amun, Tutankhamun was tainted by the connection to his father's religious upheavals. Within a few generations, the tomb's entrance had been clogged with stone debris, built over by workmen's huts and forgotten.

Howard Carter

By the time he discovered Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter had been excavating Egyptian antiquities for three decades. At the time of the discovery, archaeologists believed that all the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, across the river from ancient Thebes, had already been cleared.

Excitement about the new tomb-the most intact ever found-quickly spread worldwide, igniting a global fascination with the boy pharaoh and the powerful civilization of ancient Egypt. It took Carter and his team a decade to catalogue and empty the tomb.

Grand Egyptian Museum

Artifacts from King Tut's tomb have toured the world in several blockbuster museum shows, including the worldwide 1972-79 "Treasures of Tutankhamun" exhibitions. Eight million visitors in seven U.S. cities viewed the exhibition of the golden burial mask and 50 other precious items from the tomb.

Today the most fragile artifacts, including the burial mask, no longer leave Egypt. Tutankhamun's mummy remains on display within the tomb in the Valley of the Kings in the KV62 chamber, his layered coffins replaced with a climate-controlled glass box. His golden mask is on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, but the Tutankhamun collection will eventually move to the Grand Egyptian Museum, or GEM, located near the Pyramids of Giza.

HISTORY Vault: Ancient History

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Tutankhamun: Tomb, Mummy, Death & Howard Carter - HISTORY

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Tutankhamun, or simply King Tut, ruled Egypt as pharaoh until his early death. Howard Carter found his tomb intact, setting off a worldwide Egyptology frenzy.

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The social structure of ancient Egypt can be sorted into a social pyramid. At the top of the social pyramid was the pharaoh with the government officials, nobles and priests below him/her. The third tier consisted of the scribes and soldiers with the middle class in the fourth level. Peasants were the fifth tier of society with slaves making up the lowest social class.

Ancient Egypt's Social Pyramid

1. The Pharaoh

2. High government officials like the vizier (the pharaoh's right hand man), the chief treasurer and the army general

3. Priests and nobles (who serve as lesser government officials)

4. Soldiers and scribes (who write down important events and calculate taxes)

5. Craftsmen and merchants

6. Farmers and unskilled workers

7. Slaves

Often, people from a single level would live in the same area of a city. The levels of the pyramid could shift and individual tiers were more powerful at different times.

Duties of Each Level
The Pharaoh
The Pharaoh was a god on earth and the ultimate authority in Egypt. It was his/her duty to make the law and maintain order in the Kingdom. The people expected the pharaoh to keep the gods happy so the Nile would flood and there would be a good harvest. S/he had to maintain the army to defend the country from outside threats and internal difficulties. The people looked to the pharaoh to ensure their well-being and when s/he did not live up to this expectation s/he had less power. The Pharaoh owned all the land in Egypt but he could gift land to other people as gifts or to award them.
Government Officials
Government officials consisted of members of the royal family, nobles and priests. The royal family made up the original members of the government, the highest position of which was the vizier. Over time, the royal family left government positions, leaving the nobles to fill them. At first, the pharaoh appointed all government positions but soon they became hereditary.

The vizier was the pharaoh's second-in-command and sometimes served as High Priest of Amun-Ra. He oversaw the political administration and all official documents had to have his seal on them. The vizier managed the taxation system and monitored the supply of food. He listened to problems between nobles and settled them. The vizier also ran the pharaoh's household and ensured the royal family's safety.

© Captmondo - Papyrus from the Book of the Dead, depicting the High Priest Pinedjem II making an offering to Osiris

Priests served the gods' needs and, at times, the power of the High Priest of Amun-Ra rivaled pharaoh's. Pharaoh appointed the priests during early periods but later the posts became hereditary. They spent their time conducting rituals and ceremonies, in pharaoh's name, in temples to keep the gods happy. Priests were a part of ancient Egypt's daily life and they oversaw the running of the temple community.

Nobles were the only group, beside the royal family, who could hold a government office. They ruled the nomes (regions of Egypt), made local laws and maintained order. Nobles also owned farm land which the peasant class worked for them.

© Maia C - Relief of an Ancient Egypt nobleman
Scribes and Soldiers
Scribes, part of the third level of the pyramid, were some of the only people in Egypt who could read and write. They kept the records of the country including the amount of food produced and gifts presented to the gods. Scribes also kept records of the number of soldiers in the army and the number of workers on construction sites. They also wrote the copies of the Book of the Dead and biographies found in ancient Egyptian tombs.

© Charlie Phillips - Seated Scribe statuette

Soldiers protected Egypt from outside attacks and ended social uprisings. At times, they also oversaw the lowest classes when they built the pyramids. Second sons would often join the army because they gained wealth. They could get booty from battles and the pharaoh might reward them with land for their service.
The Middle Class: Craftsmen and Merchants
The middle class consisted of craftsmen, merchants and other skilled workers such as doctors. Merchants sold the goods made by craftsmen and doctors treated injuries. Craftsmen or artisans included carpenters, jewelers, metalworkers, painters, potters, sculptors, stone carvers and weavers. Women could work in some of the crafts, such as weaving. Craftsmen often worked in workshops with other artisans of the same type.
Peasants
Peasants were the farmers, servants and constructions workers. The government employed construction workers who built royal buildings like pyramids and palaces. Servants worked in the homes of the higher levels of society cleaning, making food, and completing other tasks.

Farmers were the most important part of the society because they raised the food that fed ancient Egypt. Pharaoh, or the nobles they worked for, provided them with food and clothing. This was an exchange for their cultivation of royal or noble land. Farmers lived in small, mud-brick houses and could rent land in exchange for a percentage of the crops from nobles or the Pharaoh.

© Maia C - Relief of an Ancient Egyptian peasants
Slaves
At the bottom of ancient Egypt's social structure were the slaves. Egypt did not have slave markets. Most of the time, the ancient Egyptians acquired slaves as prisoners-of-war. Slaves worked in the homes of the nobles, in the royal palace and in the temples. They also mined and quarried stone and precious materials. None of the records found to date say that slave labor built the pyramids of Giza, despite myths claiming they did.

Quick Facts

The Pharaoh was the ultimate authority in Egypt.

The people held the pharaoh responsible for their well-being.

Government officials helped ensure that the country ran well.

Priests oversaw the temples and the rituals and ceremonies to honor the gods.

Scribes recorded the events of the kingdom.

Soldiers protected the kingdom from military threats.

The middle class made craft items for the other classes and sold them.

Farmers grew the food that supported the entire kingdom.

Slaves were prisoners-of-war who worked in houses, mines or quarries.

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The Social Structure Of Ancient Egypt | Social Pyramid

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All about the social structure of ancient Egypt. At the top of the social pyramid was the pharaoh with government officials, nobles and priests below him/her...

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Your guide to ancient Egypt: discover the facts about the pharaohs, king Tut, gods, mummies, pyramids, hieroglyphs, daily life and more...

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The ancient Egyptian people were grouped in a hierarchical system with the Pharaoh at the top and farmers and slaves at the bottom. Egyptian social classes had some porous borders but they were largely fixed and clearly delineated, not unlike the medieval feudal system. Clearly, the groups of people nearest the top of society were the richest and most powerful.

The diagram above shows the structure of ancient Egyptian society.

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"But What Social Class Were The Pyramid Builders?" For the full "History Unplugged" podcast, click here!
The Pharaoh was believed to be a God on earth and had the most power. He was responsible for making laws and keeping order, ensuring that Egypt was not attacked or invaded by enemies and for keeping the Gods happy so that the Nile flooded and there was a good harvest.

The Vizier was the Pharaoh's chief advisor and was sometimes also the High Priest. He was responsible for overseeing administration and all official documents had to have his seal of approval. He was also responsible for the supply of food, settling disputes between nobles and the running and protection of the Pharaoh's household.

Nobles ruled the regions of Egypt (Nomes). They were responsible for making local laws and keeping order in their region.

Priests were responsible for keeping the Gods happy. They did not preach to people but spent their time performing rituals and ceremonies to the God of their temple.

Scribes were the only people who could read and write and were responsible for keeping records. The ancient Egyptians recorded things such as how much food was produced at harvest time, how many soldiers were in the army, numbers of workers and the number of gifts given to the Gods.

Soldiers were responsible for the defense of the country. Many second sons, including those of the Pharaoh often chose to join the army. Soldiers were allowed to share riches captured from enemies and were also rewarded with land for their service to the country.

Craftsmen were skilled workers such as - pottery makers, leatherworkers, sculptors, painters, weavers, jewelry makers, shoemakers, tailors. Groups of craftsmen often worked together in workshops.

Farmers worked the land of the Pharaoh and nobles and were given housing, food and clothes in return. Some farmers rented land from nobles and had to pay a percentage of their crop as their rent.

There were no slave markets or auctions in Ancient Egypt. Slaves were usually prisoners captured in war. Slaves could be found in the households of the Pharaoh and nobles, working in mines and quarries and also in temples.
This article is part of our larger selection of posts about Egypt in the ancient world. To learn more, click here for our comprehensive guide to Ancient Egypt.
Cite This Article

"Egyptian Social Classes and Society" History on the Net
© 2000-2022, Salem Media.
February 21, 2022 <https://www.historyonthenet.com/the-egyptians-society>
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Egyptian Social Classes and Society - History

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Loading... The ancient Egyptian people were grouped in a hierarchical system with the Pharaoh at the top and farmers and slaves at the bottom. Egyptian social classes had some porous borders but they were largely fixed and clearly delineated, not unlike the medieval feudal system.

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By: Lindsay, Shahar, Shiven

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Pharaoh Senusret was known or called the “Patron of the Arts”, because he was specialized in Art, Literature, and architecture.

Pharaoh Senusret reigned during the years( 1971-1926) B.C.E, which was during the Middle Kingdom.

During Senusret's reign as pharaoh he thrived in religious architecture including temples, shrines, and religious monuments. During Senusret's reign literature was also specialized. For example, “The Story Of Sinuhe”. Additionally, Senusret owned many mines, because he wanted to make beautiful pieces of jewelry.

His first architectural achievement was the White Chapel which was a small temple. Art was also decorated on the chapel , because Senusret wanted his memories to be past on.

Pharaoh Senusret is important, because of his dedication to make architecture thrive in ancient Egypt. He was the first pharaoh to build monuments at each of the Egyptian cult sites.

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King Tutankhamen was an pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, who was an extremely wealthy pharaoh, and he died at the age of 19. He is well known for the knowledge that Howard Carter uncovered in his tomb.

Pharaoh Tutankhamun ruled from 1334-1324 B.C.E, and he reigned during the New Kingdom.

King Tutankhamen was known for reversing the tumultuous religious forms of his father, Pharaoh Akhenaten, King Tutankhamun's legacy was largely negated by his successors.

King Tutankhamen was not well known for building anything , he was mostly known for the knowledge that was in his tomb.

Tutankhamun is important for many reasons: his tomb was the only royal intact tomb, for dying at a very young age, the unusual size of his tomb, and his tomb was found with untouched golden artifacts.

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Ramses II was a very popular Pharaoh and was known as Ramses the great. He ruled from 1290 to 1224 B.C.E. In the new kingdom. That is more than 60 whole years. He signed the first peace treaty after he was outnumbered in a fight. One of his best projects was the temple at Abu Simbel. He is important because he was a good military leader and master builder. When he died, he was preserved in a tomb that he had created, and his mummies was one of the best maintained mummies.

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Third child of Ptolemy 2

Name means “glory of father”

Was actually never the sole ruler

Was only 18 when handed the title of “Queen of Egypt”

Came from Greek roots

Older than brother/co ruler

Ignored the coruler

Plot to overthrow her for her brother

Story of the relationship of Mark antony

Very complicated

Died from an asp(snake)bite

Only 39 yrs old

Buried with Mark Antony

Made alliance with Rome

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Pharaoh Hatshepsut was Egypt’s first female pharaoh, she was well known for dressing up as a male, and finally she promoted trade by a huge margin.

Pharaoh Hatshepsut reigned from the years 1473-1458 B.C.E, and she reigned during the New Kingdom.

During her reign she promoted trade, and she dressed up as a male, and asked the same respect from the Egyptian people that male pharaohs had. Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s biggest trade expedition was to the African Kingdom Of Punt. 200 of her men were sent there to apply trade.

Pharaoh Hatshepsut was important, because she promoted trade largely, she built the great temple at Dayr al-Bahri, and that the fact that she was dedicated to dress up a male, and ask the same respect that the male Pharaohs would get.

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The pyramids of Giza Are pyramids that were built to endure an eternity and have done just that.

located in modern Cairo, Egypt

They finished building it in the year 2560 BCE

pharaoh Khufu

It was built for the fourth dynasty, Pharaoh khufu

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The Great Sphinx is a limestone statue of a Sphinx that reclines. The Sphinx is a mythical creature that has the body of a lion and the head of a human.

It’s located on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile River in Giza, Egypt.

It was built in the year 2494 B.C.E.

The Egyptian Pharaoh Khafre during his reign (2520-2494 BC.E) is in the architecture, geology, and archaeology of the Sphinx and its related monuments.

The Great Sphinx is important, because the head of the Sphinx was sometimes a Pharaoh or a God. Egyptians also built Egyptian Sphinx statues to guard important landmarks and areas such as tombs and temples. As you can see, the Great Sphinx is one of the greatest Egyptian monument in Egyptian history.

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Pharaohs, Government Officials, Priests, Scribes, Artisans, Peasants (Top to bottom)

Pharaohs: supposed to maintain order in the kingdom of Egypt.

Government Officials:  oversaw the taxation and political administration.

Priests: responsible for performing rituals to the god of their temple. They had to keep the gods happy.

Scribes: they read and write and recorded the country ( food/fights/gifts)

Artisans: were responsible for a lot of different jobs and were known as craftsmen.

Peasants: were farmers that worked for government officials and priests. They were also servants who helped on building projects.

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The pharaoh was at the top of the social pyramid, because he was chosen to be god on Earth and had the most power. The pharaoh also created laws and kept order in ancient Egypt, insuring that they wouldn’t be attacked by neighboring kingdoms.

Government Officials also settled disputes between nobles and additionally he was responsible for food, and running the pharaoh's household.

Scribes had to attend scribe school for over 12 years  starting at the age of 5. Scribes still had the respect that they wanted, and additionally they wrote on a paper on Papyrus.

Artisans never got the respect that they deserved, and they were the second largest social class. Artisans usually created artwork for the pharaohs , and additionally Artisans were also considered as craftsmen, because they worked with stone.

Peasants were the group that made up most of the egyptian kingdom. Peasants usually lived in a very small house, and worked for almost all of their life, from” dawn to dusk”. Additionally, farmers were brutally beaten, when their harvest came short and he couldn’t pay the taxes.

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The Process

Artificial

Removing organs

except for the heart

Fill up the body with herbs and spices and leave

Roll in linen

Placed in 3 infitting sarcophaguses

The result

Separately wrapped limbs

Portrait masks

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Ra-Sun God

Pharaohs were sons of Ra

Associated with pharaohs from 5th dynasty

Anubis-jackal god/death rituals

very recognizable

Protector of grave

Black Jackal head

Black is desolation and rebirth

Osiris- god of death

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Sails across the sky

Boat called “Barque of a Million Years”

The sun

The morning sun called “Madjet”

“Becoming strong”

Evening sun called “Sekhmet”

Becoming weak

Dies at night

Reborn at dawn

Fights Aphosis
Solar temples

No statues

A open panel for sunlight

Oldest temple

“Benu-Phoenix”

Only associated with pharaohs in 5th dynasty

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Osiris’ assistant

Black jackal head

Guardian of the scales

Looks over embalming and mummification

Protects ancient tombs

High astronomical knowledge

Wife named anput

Daughter named Kebechet, goddess of purification

Center was Cynopolis

Greek for city of dog

One of the oldest gods

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Green black or pale skin

man, beard, crown with two ostrich feathers, partially wrapped legs, symbolic flail and crook

Latin word, English translation Almighty

“King of Living”” Foremost of Westerners”

God of resurrection & death

Final judge of the soul in the afterlife

God of fertility