Ancient Egypt
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People of ancient Egypt. (2026). In Q-files Encyclopedia, History, Ancient Egypt. Retrieved from
https://www.q-files.com/history/ancient-egypt/people-of-ancient-egypt
"People of ancient Egypt." History, Ancient Egypt, Q-files Encyclopedia, 26 Mar. 2026.
https://www.q-files.com/history/ancient-egypt/people-of-ancient-egypt.
Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.
People of ancient Egypt 2026. History, Ancient Egypt. Retrieved 13 September 2026, from
https://www.q-files.com/history/ancient-egypt/people-of-ancient-egypt
History, Ancient Egypt, s.v. "People of ancient Egypt," accessed September 13, 2026.
https://www.q-files.com/history/ancient-egypt/people-of-ancient-egypt
People of ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, social rank was extremely important. A person’s position in society was closely linked to the work he did, from the pharaoh himself down to the common peasant. The vast majority of the population formed the lowest tier of Egyptian society: the peasants who worked in the fields. They did not own the land they farmed. Instead of paying taxes, they gave their labour to work on construction projects, such as digging irrigation channels, or building pyramids.
Levels of society
Ancient Egyptian society was arranged in various levels—quite similar to the shape of a pyramid (below). The pharaoh was, of course, at the pinnacle of Egyptian society: he was supreme being, supreme priest and supreme military commander (1).
Beneath him was his vizier. His job, which he carried out with the help of other ministers, was to supervise building projects, including irrigation works, collect taxes and administer justice.
Besides the vizier, the other highest-ranking Egyptians were high priests and priestesses and army generals (2). Government officials, scribes (people who could write—a tiny proportion of the population), architects, engineers, doctors, soldiers and other members of the priesthood formed the next rank down (3). Below them were craftworkers, artists, dancers, musicians, and professional mourners (4). Below them, the very lowest tier, were the peasants—by far the largest group (5).
Consultant: Philip Parker
pics
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