How did the ancient Egyptians live? This people, who so carefully observed numerous complex ceremonies associated with the worship of deities and the afterlife, turns out to have Everyday life there were eternal, unshakable rules. The routine of each day was strictly scheduled and consisted of small events, most of which can be considered as a kind of ritual actions. This left an imprint on the life and morals of the Egyptians.
Clothing and jewelry
In the hot season, a man's clothing consisted of one loincloth. But it was unthinkable to leave the house without bracelets and other jewelry. Countless rings were put on the fingers, and several rows of beads adorned the neck. Sandals were very rare and highly valued. Shoes were most often woven from papyrus, less often from leather, and sometimes they were even made from gold. A simple Egyptian made the main journey carrying his sandals in his hands. The attire of noble Egyptians was almost the same for both men and women. Their translucent dresses were worn directly over the shirt. Strictness long skirt brightened up the obligatory waist-length cut. Both men and women wore wigs with glittering jewelry. Incense was placed in one of the head decorations.
Food and drink of the ancient Egyptians
The cuisine of the ancient Egyptians was varied. They loved meat and ate quite a lot of it. Meat was obtained mainly by hunting. On holidays they used sacrificial bulls and cows. The Egyptians raised ducks, geese and chickens. They did not dare try the fish right away, because for a long time fishing was considered a dangerous trade: the river abounded in crocodiles. Garlic was the most valued vegetable. The Egyptians loved melons and bananas. The Egyptians first tasted pears, peaches and cherries only during Roman rule. However, only the rich could afford to eat these sweets. The poor were often forced to chew the core of papyrus stems. The most valuable and satisfying food was bread with various additives. Fruit or eggs were added to pies and buns. The flour was also different: barley, spelt and wheat. The leader among drinks was beer. It was made from barley or wheat. The Egyptians also loved wine, especially in the Nile Delta region, where grapes were grown.
Morning toilet
The Egyptian's morning began with washing. For this purpose there was a special basin - “shauti”. Cleansing salt was poured into a special mouthwash jug. Then it was the hairdresser's turn. At the pharaoh's court, morning toilet was a divine ritual. Nome rulers and major officials imitated the pharaoh by gathering relatives during morning ceremonies. Then it was the turn of the incense specialists. It was not only about beauty, but also health in a hot climate. Eyeliner was a necessary part of the morning toilet for both women and men. For this, green powder was used - malachite and black powder - galena. They did this not only for the sake of beauty, makeup protected the eyes and delicate skin of the eyelids from insects and the scorching sun.
Feasts
The Egyptians were very fond of holding feasts, at which they usually killed an ox. Geese were roasted on spits, and a whole line of jugs with wines and liqueurs was lined up. The fruits were placed in baskets and on stands, and the water was cooled in jugs in advance. Everything was covered with blankets that protected the food from dust and insects. The guests were greeted and seen off by the owner of the house himself. Before the feast, a prayer was said, and tribute was paid first to Amon. The most honored guests were offered chairs inlaid with gold and silver. Simpler people got simple stools, and the poor got mats. Usually men and women sat opposite each other; spouses were allowed to sit next to each other. Beautiful young maids in transparent clothes served food, and the feast began.
Everyday leisure. Games
The daily leisure of the Egyptians was filled with games. In the evenings, the couple often played checkers. The rectangular board was divided into thirty-three squares, with white and black pieces moving. However, nothing is known about the rules of this game. Boys preferred power games. The speed competition was also interesting: they raced on their knees, crossing their legs and holding them with their hands. They often competed in accuracy. Egyptian boys were much stricter about unfair play than their current peers. They tied up the dishonest player and treated him to sticks. The girls loved to juggle. But their main and favorite pastime was dancing. Every Egyptian woman had to master this art.
Music
Not a single holiday would be complete without music. When musical instruments did not yet exist, the rhythm was beat out with the palms. Already in the era of the Old Kingdom, the harp, flute and oboe appeared. The theme of death was constant for Egyptian musicians: “Think only about joy when you have to land on a land that loves silence.”
Family and wedding
The concept of “family” for the Egyptian meant “home”. The expressions “to take a wife” and “to build a house” are synonymous. If young people were in love with each other, then their parents most often did not interfere with them. For an Egyptian, a wedding is the transition of the bride from her father's house to her husband's house. They tried to decorate the wedding procession more richly. The marriage followed strict rules. Its legal side was also thought out. The official wrote down the names of the spouses and registered their common property. The woman acquired a second, “additional” name - the wife of such and such. The husband contributed two-thirds to the common property, the wife one-third. After this, a feast was held to which relatives were invited. After the death of one of the spouses, the survivor could use all the property, but sell or give only one part of it.
Attitude towards a woman
Egyptian society treated women harshly. Death awaited the woman for adultery. If a husband was unfaithful, he was never punished for it; men were allowed to have concubines, who were considered members of his family. According to Egyptian law, a husband had the right to beat his wife, and a brother had the right to beat his sister. If a separated husband beat his wife so much that she became disabled, he was summoned to court, where he swore an oath that he would never touch her again. If the spouse did not keep this promise, he received one hundred strokes of the cane and was forever deprived of the right to jointly acquired property. Severe authors (men, of course) considered women capricious, frivolous, and unable to keep a secret. A man, according to the same authors, on the contrary, is always kind, caring, faithful to his wife even after her death, and always keeps his word. The scribe Ani advises: “Beware of a woman who goes out secretly. Don't follow her; she'll claim it wasn't her. A wife whose husband is far away sends you notes and calls you every day when there are no witnesses. If she lures you into her network, it’s a crime...”
Attitude towards children
The Egyptians loved children, but they especially rejoiced at the birth of a son-heir. If there were no sons in the family, they turned to the priests for help. Ramses I was proud that he had more than 160 children. And no one, neither the pharaoh nor the ordinary Egyptian, was afraid that the child would die of hunger. Children ran naked, with only beads around their necks, and ate papyrus stems. The son was obliged to bury his father with dignity and continue his work. However, the Egyptians were also happy about the girls. In all images of Pharaoh Akhenaten, he and his wife are accompanied by: v. all six of their daughters. The Egyptians always wanted to know what awaited their children ahead, so in anxiety about the future they turned to the goddess Hathor. The parents themselves gave the name to the child, but it had to be registered. The goddess Isis was considered the patroness of family, motherhood and childbirth. It was she who was worshiped by childless women and men, as well as families that had no sons.
Attitude towards the elderly
The Egyptians treated well not only children, but also the elderly. Everyone dreamed of living to old age, while maintaining clarity of thought and physical health- such people were admired. Anyone who achieved the title of “imahu” (“revered”) not only had food every day, but also counted on a magnificent funeral. Old age was respected even by the pharaohs, who transferred their aged faithful servants to easier positions. The rulers of cities and nomes tried to follow their example.
Holidays and life in Egypt are two big differences. This is when the resort ends and everyday life begins. Everyday ones, full of everyday troubles, worries and surprises.
Russian Egyptian Yana will share with the magazine Reconomica experience of immersion in Egyptian realities.
How to save money on a flight, where to stay and how to buy housing, about visas, prices and work, transport and medicine, about the local mentality - Yana will tell you in detail and in detail. This is a story about everyday life and everyday issues - that’s what interests ordinary person after relaxing by the pool and contemplating the pyramids. Read the interview - it will be interesting!
Living in Egypt like at a resort: mission accomplished
Hi all! My name is Yana Domoradova, I am 33 years old and I live in Egypt, in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh.
The reason for my move is marriage: my husband is Egyptian. The prospect of moving made me happy, but I was worried about one thing – the city in which we would live. My husband's work allowed me not to get attached to specific place residence.
I couldn’t even imagine life in Cairo nightmare. The choice was between Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, and we chose the latter. There was only one reason - cleanliness. Egypt is very dirty, and only this city is exclusively a resort city.
Sharm el-Sheikh is inhabited mainly by tourists and working personnel: there are very few Egyptians and indigenous people. Sharm often hosts conferences and meetings at the state level, so cleanliness and safety are diligently monitored here.
Moving: bride with a visa and one suitcase
To live in Egypt legally, I needed a resident visa. First, a fiancee visa is issued for 6 months to formalize the marriage contract. After this, a resident visa is issued for one year, then for 5 years, and only then they are offered to obtain citizenship.
Recently, purchasing real estate is no longer a reason to obtain a resident visa. But in general, the laws in this country are very loyal.
If you have overstayed any type of visa, no matter for how long, you will need to pay a fine of $100 upon departure at the airport. That's all. You will not face deportation or other sanctions. The cost of a resident visa for a year is around $60, for 5 years - about $300.
As for moving, we can say this: not difficult, but expensive. We had a lot of suitcases. According to the rules, only one suitcase is allowed per ticket. The rest of the luggage is paid additionally.
If Egypt – then only Sharm el-Sheikh!
We bought tickets for the charter from an agency that sells tickets for charter flights. Regular travel agencies offer two-way tickets. If you find an airline that sells one-way tickets, the price will still be high. Therefore, it is better to contact specialized agencies.
It's worth noting that all airlines charge differently for extra baggage.
Some set a fixed amount per suitcase, some for 1 kg, some have cheaper prices, some more expensive. It happens that when booking additional luggage, a discount is provided.
Egyptian prose of life
In Sharm El-Sheikh, I encountered nuances that you don’t notice when you come as a tourist. First we rented an apartment. I wanted to stay in a house with direct access to the sea and the beach, but this is only possible on the hotel premises.
Price per two-room apartment– about $350 per month. By the way, a one-room apartment here has one bedroom and a living room, a two-room apartment has two bedrooms and a living room, and three, respectively.
For a small family, a one-room apartment is enough.
Villa in Sharm el-Sheikh is good, compound is cheaper.
If you rent in compounds, the price will be much lower.
It all depends on the compound. In a small one you can rent a house for $120, or even for $250, if it has developed infrastructure, a well-equipped area, and has additional services.
In any case, these are all residential complexes with swimming pools. To get to the sea you will need to either walk or drive a little.
There are areas with villas in which apartments are rented. I don’t really like this option, since all compounds are guarded around the clock. As for the villas, there is practically no security, and thefts often occur.
Despite the security in the city itself, thefts in apartments are common occurrence. If you decide to rent a villa or an apartment in a villa, pay close attention to the issue of security.
Housing in Egypt: selection and purchase
A couple of months later we began to look into buying an apartment. We only considered compounds. Prices depend on the location and arrangement of the territory.
For a two-room apartment, the price ranges from $15,000 and above. You can find it for $50,000 or more.
The pricing policy is simple: closer to the sea - more expensive, further from the sea - cheaper.
If you want to stay at the resort, you live in Sharm el-Sheikh!
Apartments in villas are also inexpensive, and most importantly, they are located near the sea. It was important to me that we live in a tidy, well-groomed area, where there are security guards, gardeners and other staff. But if we consider the villa in its entirety, then this is the most successful option.
Apartments in villas have their advantages: for example, a private pool, close access to the beach, with a large terrace and courtyard. Price starts from $100,000.
There is also a point in Sharm el-Sheikh: real estate purchased by a foreigner remains in ownership for a certain amount of time (69-99 years).
Then, probably, you need to re-register the documents. I can’t say for sure, I didn’t find out.
Repairs in Egypt are a delicate matter
After purchasing the apartment, problems with repairs began. Good craftsmen there is very little here. You can’t leave them on their own: you need to monitor everything they do. Even the little things. And be prepared for the fact that you will have to change the master more than once. It is better to search only by recommendations - in order to avoid new costs.
Hotels, villas, compounds – where can you buy furniture?
Furniture is a different story. It's a resort town, there's little competition, there's no choice. That's why prices are so high. There are a couple good companies, but their prices are high. There are workshops where the prices are lower, but the quality and appearance correspond to the price.
I ordered a kitchen from a proven, expensive company: the kitchen must be durable. I ordered sleeping beds and wardrobes from workshops and saved a little. When ordering furniture, you need to specify everything that seems obvious to you, otherwise there may be surprises.
Work in Egypt
There are a lot of Russian speakers in Sharm, so you can find employment in any profession.
As for work, it is mainly work in hotels. There are many vacancies, but English is needed everywhere - at least minimal knowledge of it. And if you know another language, you can get a job with a very high salary.
The famous Old Market in Sharm el-Sheikh.
It is easy for our men to find work in the construction industry. As I already wrote above, there is a big problem with craftsmen, and professionals are at a premium. Many girls work for themselves: manicurists, hairdressers, cosmetologists, seamstresses. The services are much more expensive than ours, so you can make good money. Some even cook Russian cuisine - it is popular among tourists.
Peculiarities of the Egyptian mentality
The Egyptians themselves do not work for results. They are not interested in you becoming their regular customer and bringing in regular income. It is important for them to shoot down as many as possible here and now. They don’t think about what will happen tomorrow.
Their mentality is not geared towards making money. They earned money today, but tomorrow they may not want to work.
So I tried to find a permanent one. In this city, in this country, it seems to me that this is impossible. One time he takes you away at a reasonable price, the next time you call, and he either quotes an exorbitant price or simply doesn’t want to go. And this is the situation in many ways: Egyptians are often extremely unobliging.
Egyptian everyday life: about prices, travel, products and medicine
There are many things you learn when you live in Egypt full time. I read it similar article before moving, I would have saved both nerves and money.
And Sharm el-Sheikh is beautiful at night!
At first, I took a taxi everywhere. Not knowing the real prices and distances, I paid in full - even tourists are not “conned” like that. Then I switched to minibuses. The difference turned out to be significant.
From one end of the city to the other, a trip by minibus will cost 4 Egyptian pounds, by taxi - 200 pounds.
I learned the city on these minibuses. I began to understand the distances and the real cost of a taxi.
Discount – resident bonus
Absolutely everywhere you need to say that you are a resident (this can be seen from the absence of bracelets on your hands). Hearing this in stores, taxis, cafes, sellers will make a discount. The discount may be symbolic, but to get the real price you need to know the real cost.
I was interested in prices for everything and everywhere. I discounted it to the minimum, and then I began to navigate the real price list. For example, fresh mango costs 15 pounds in kiosks. In a cafe you can pay 25-40 pounds for it. In all cafes menus with prices for tourists, this fresh juice costs at least 50 pounds.
If you say you live in Sharm, you will get a £5 discount. But if you insist, you will get its real price of £40 maximum. Some establishments have a fixed 20% discount for residents.
The main thing is not to agree to the announced price. Bargain to the last: this is the only way you will understand where the final, or real, price is.
I'll go back to minibuses. As a standard, they will charge you a minimum of $1 or not give you change. Just by saying that you live in this city, you will receive a fare of 4 pounds. But it is possible that you will have to be reminded about change more than once.
Making money from tourists is the international motto of taxi drivers. But you can’t make money as a resident anymore.
At first I paid 5 pounds, but no one gave me change for 1 pound. I was embarrassed to remind you - it doesn’t seem like much. But then I witnessed when the Egyptians started a scandal over half a pound. And then I decided to take my money for myself. Therefore, just remind the driver about yourself - don’t be shy.
What's nice is the bus schedule. They go until late at night. Even at 3 o'clock in the morning you can leave by minibus. There are police posts all over Sharm El-Sheikh, so driving at any time of the day is absolutely safe.
About products and prices: how to save money
Of course, there are supermarkets that have fixed prices. I buy everything there except fruits and vegetables, which are better bought at the markets. There they are fresher and prices are lower.
Sharm is a tourist city. You need to know where to buy groceries so you don't pay tourist prices. There is a market in the Hadaba and Hainur areas, in the Old City there are many shops with fruits and vegetables - but the prices there are unacceptable. I found only one - “Pharanah”, where a good choice and everything is very inexpensive.
In Egypt, it is customary to buy food to take away from restaurants, and all of them have a “Take away” service. For example, no one cooks seafood at home. You order fish and soup and an hour later you just take it with you.
When you are a tourist, you don’t think about where to buy cheaper fish.
The price of a ready-made meal is the same as food: there is no point in cooking at home. And this applies to absolutely any dish. And if you stay in a restaurant, you will have to pay a rather large tax for the service, which was introduced in Egypt. So it’s more profitable to take food from a restaurant with you.
Medical matters: vigilance is the key to health
There are many doctors in Egypt, and clinics too. With a resident visa, prices will be the same as for Egyptians. If you have tourist visa, then you will have to look for a private doctor, not a clinic: in the clinic prices start from $100 per appointment.
The state hospital is not popular among our citizens. Doctors are not qualified enough, and salaries don't stimulate Good work. Private clinics have good specialists, but it is still necessary to monitor sterility.
Taking blood tests without gloves is common. There is no need to be ashamed to make a comment - it’s your health.
Conclusion. What do I think about Egypt and Egyptians
To summarize, I will say this: life in Egypt is possible for me only in Sharm El-Sheikh. And even here it’s hard for me to get used to the careless attitude of Egyptians towards life, health, work, children, and the environment.
Throwing trash near your apartment is normal. Arranging for a meeting or visit at 15:00, but arriving at 18:00 is the same thing: it’s still light! Eating an apple you just bought at the store without even rinsing it is as normal as asking you to drink water from your bottle.
Life in Egypt - when the resort ends.
There are many moments that are difficult for us to understand, but many that are positive. Incredibly beautiful sea, all year round warm, healthy mild climate. Those who have problems with blood pressure, allergy sufferers - everyone feels great here.
Sharm El Sheikh is considered one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world.
There are a minimum of cars, there are no plants or factories - only the sea and the mountains. And housing prices are not so high, and for some products they are even encouraging. So, seasonal fruits and vegetables cost pennies. Mangoes in season cost $1 per kg. Cucumbers and tomatoes cost about $0.50 all year round.
And most importantly: before making a decision to move, I strongly advise you to come and live here for two to three months. This is the only way to understand how suitable it is for you local mentality and life in this country. As for me, I managed to live in Egypt and stay at a resort – almost. That's why I'm glad to move.
Thanks to documents written on papyrus, inscriptions on stone blocks, paintings on the walls and objects found in various tombs, historians have a good idea of how the Egyptians lived.
How they dressed
Due to the hot climate, the inhabitants of Egypt needed only light clothing, which they made from white linen. Often they did not wear clothes at home. Slaves, artisans and children usually went without clothes. However, the ancient Egyptians were very concerned about their appearance and maintaining cleanliness. Both men and women wore eyeliner, wore jewelry, and wore perfume.
Housing
Houses and even royal palaces were made from sun-dried bricks. Stone was used only for the construction of tombs and temples. Due to hot weather and bright light The windows in the houses were small and located high from the ground. Doors and windows were often curtained with mats to prevent flies and dust. When it was very hot, people slept right on the flat roofs.
Entertainment
Wall paintings depict women and men singing and relaxing in the lap of nature. Men compete in wrestling while hunting ducks, antelopes and hares. Board games were popular among both adults and children; many families kept pets.
Did you eat well?
The inhabitants of Egypt had enough food; they fished, including eels, and hunted ducks and geese. They also had their own diet. Main part daily diet The Egyptians had fruits, vegetables and pork. The Egyptians developed cultivated varieties of watermelon brought from South Africa, they grew a fig tree that came to Egypt from Turkey. They learned how to make wine, beer and cheese. Cakes and cookies were baked from wheat (often with the addition of honey and herbal seasonings). The Egyptians knew more than forty different types of bread.
The role of religion
The fact that the Egyptians built so many large temples shows that religion was very important to them. They prayed to various gods and believed in life after death. Therefore, they preserved the bodies of the dead in the form of mummies and buried them, leaving in the crypts the food, dishes, tools and weapons necessary for the afterlife. The clergy played a large and important role in Egyptian society. Ordinary people believed that by interpreting dreams and studying the stars, priests could predict a person’s fate and even protect against evil eye with the help of incantations and spells.
What did you do?
Most Egyptians were farmers. In their free time from field work, they helped build temples and pyramids. It was also a way to pay taxes. The work of artisans was well paid, but instead of money they were often paid in food, cloth, firewood or salt. Most women worked in the home, but were often weavers, dancers, nannies, priestesses, or workers who made perfumes and cosmetics.
How were mummies made?
The human body was cut open and the heart, lungs and other organs were removed, which were then placed in separate vessels. The brain was pulled out piece by piece with hooks through the nose and thrown away. The body was then treated with caustic soda, a natural chemical compound that dried it out and prevented decomposition. As a rule, the body was stuffed with cloth and wrapped in bandages, and then buried in a coffin, which in turn was placed in a stone sarcophagus. This whole procedure took about seventy days.
Job
The people of Egypt worked ten days in a row, and then they had two days to rest. In addition, they had 65 days off per year, which were intended for various ceremonies and celebrations. Egyptians canceled work on funerals or birthdays. The work was mainly carried out when it was cool outside, “in two shifts” - in the morning and in the evening. In the midday heat, people rested and slept.
When it comes to Ancient Egypt, most people think of pharaohs, pyramids, mummies and golden artifacts. And at the same time, the overwhelming majority do not have the slightest idea of how ordinary people lived in this country.
1. Board games
After working day simple people in Ancient Egypt they also sought to relax. The most popular way to spend leisure time was Board games. Two or several players could play at once, and if there were no game boards, then the playing field was drawn directly on the ground. Favorite game was "Sene". The field was divided into 30 squares - in 3 rows of 10, in some squares symbols were drawn that denoted something good or, on the contrary, failure.
The winner was the one whose chips entered the “ afterlife» be the first, bypassing the failure cells. Sene was deeply intertwined with religion. The winner was said to be protected by the gods, and tombs were often drawn on the board to protect the deceased during the transition to the afterlife.
In the Asseb game there were 20 squares on the field. To free a piece from the “home” square, you had to roll a four or a six on the die. If a piece landed on a square held by the opponent, it was sent back to the home square. The rules of "mehen" and another game of "hounds and jackals" are unknown. The mehen board looked like a twisted snake.
2. Sense of humor
Today little is known about ancient Egyptian humor, but this does not mean that the ancients did not have it. Thus, in Thebes around 2000 BC, a carver on the wall of a tomb created an image of the deceased pharaoh's vizier. He was a very important person during his lifetime and most likely should have been depicted with a noble face.
But the artist gave the vizier a dejected look with a raised eyebrow, as if Dagi was surprised that he had died. The carving, made during the reign of Amenhotep III (1389-1349 BC), shows a scribe and a baboon (this animal was associated with Thoth, the god of writing). The baboon has very funny eyebrows.
The artists did not hold back their sarcasm when they depicted the enemies of Egypt. The ivory plaque shows the captive Assyrian prince with a foolish look and bulging eyes. Tensions with the Nubians probably led the artist to make a relief showing a Nubian with exaggerated and grotesque features.
3. Arthritis
When researchers recently examined the remains of those who created and decorated the famous Valley of the Kings, they discovered something strange. Around 3,500 years ago, most of the carvers and painters who decorated the tombs of the pharaohs came from the village of Deir el-Medina. Artists usually develop problems with their hands over time. Osteoarthritis was much more common in the ankles and knees among the male remains examined.
After studying the ancient records of this village, the reason was revealed. Despite hard labour in the necropolis, people did not want to spend the night “on the bones” and every day they went to spend the night in a different place. For a week they lived in huts near the royal tombs, and the road to them led through a steep hill, which they had to climb and descend twice a day.
At the end of the week, the masters went to Deir el-Medina, to which they had to travel 2 kilometers through the hills. On Monday they returned to the necropolis again. This went on for years, and for some people, decades. In all likelihood, such long transitions led to the appearance of a disease that was not typical for this profession.
4. Diet
ABOUT culinary recipes Probably no one will ever know the ancient Egyptians. No records have been found, but you can learn about what the Egyptians ate from the art of the time. Some ingredients were consumed by all classes, but a number of foods were prohibited to commoners. For example, smoking fish was strictly the domain of priests. But the daily food of all strata of society was beer and bread.
Bread was leavened in water to create a cloudy drink that was an essential part of the diet of the lower classes. In addition to grain dishes such as porridge, the diet included meat, honey, dates, fruits and wild vegetables. The workers ate only two meals a day.
For breakfast they had bread, beer, and sometimes onions. For lunch, cooked vegetables and meat were added to this. The priests and pharaohs ate disproportionately better. Images of banquets were found in the tombs, where tables were laden with wine, gazelles baked in honey, fried poultry, fruits and desserts.
5. Teeth
The Egyptians suffered from enamel deterioration because their food was constantly exposed to sand. The problem was actually huge. A study conducted on 4,800 teeth from Egyptian tombs found that 90 percent of the teeth were very worn.
This has led to conditions such as cysts, multiple abscesses and osteoarthritis of the jaw. Needless to say, chronic toothache was a daily part of life in ancient Egypt. Despite the Egyptians' well-known love of cleanliness, there is no evidence that the ancient Egyptians had developed dentistry.
6. Grain
Trade in Ancient Egypt.
Monetary system Ancient Egypt not completely clear. It was previously believed that it was based on barter without any form of currency. But this conclusion was made solely from the surviving images, which showed the exchange of goods. While trade certainly existed, it could not support the commercial system of the state so extensively.
One of the main commodities was grain, which was grown on a massive scale. Excess grain was stored in a network of silos throughout Egypt and used to pay workers who worked on large public projects. But, for example, what was to be done if someone wanted to buy a house.
After all, in this case you can’t get by with a bag of grain. The ancient Egyptians worked with a unit of value called the shat. This currency standard existed back in Ancient kingdom(2750-2150 BC), but today no one knows what it was. It is only known that one shat costs 7.5 grams of gold.
7. Family
In Ancient Egypt, the traditional family was welcomed big amount children. Girls usually got married early adolescence. While examples of love marriage did occur, marriage was primarily a way of mutually assisting in existence for a man and a woman. A man was considered imperfect until he married.
Frescoes traditionally depict men darkened from working on fresh air, and the women were pale, because they only led household. Egyptian wives gave birth a lot and often, so they constantly faced the dangers that childbirth threatened them with. There was no effective contraception, and midwives could do nothing if something “went wrong” during childbirth.
Babies were breastfed until they were three years old. Boys began to be trained early in working professions, and girls in childcare, cooking and sewing clothes. It was expected that the eldest son (and if he was not there, then the daughter) would take care of his elderly parents, and when the time came, give them a decent burial.
8. Gender equality
Egyptian women were not only involved in household chores; if they wished, they could work and own property. If in Ancient Rome women were not even considered citizens, then in Egypt women could live even without a male guardian. They could initiate a divorce and go to court.
Women were not forced into marriage, they could draw up and sign juristic documents and build your career. However, in most higher professions dominated by men. Only a small percentage of women became honorary priestesses, scribes, healers, and pharaohs. In fact, the first region to expand women's rights was Ancient Egypt, not the West, as many believe.
9. Disabled people
IN ancient world There was simply no talk of full-fledged medical care. And mental illness was considered so shameful that Chinese families hid mentally impaired family members from the public. In Greece, they were abandoned to their fate, and they wandered the streets. In Ancient Egypt, such people had a completely different attitude.
Local moral scriptures taught respect for those with physical disabilities. Dwarfs were not considered disabled and often worked as helpers, overseers, guardians, artists and performers. Among the skeletons of Deir el-Medina (the village of artists in the Valley of the Kings) the remains were found young man, who was born with an atrophied leg. As the examination of his remains showed, this man was by no means an outcast, but lived well and occupied a high position. As for mental illnesses, the Egyptians, instead of blaming or condemning such patients, tried to adapt them to society.
10. Violence
Many works of art from this period document scenes from domestic life. And although they seem very idealistic and legal equality did occur in ancient Egyptian society, violence against women and children remained a reality. Scientists have become aware of terrifying cases. Thus, the 2000-year-old skeleton of a baby in the Dakhleh oasis had fractures of the back, pelvis, ribs and arms. Some were older than others and the bones had fused together, a classic sign of long-term physical abuse.
A 4,000-year-old victim was discovered in the ancient city of Abydos. The woman was about 35 years old when she was fatally shot in the back. An examination of her bones revealed that the woman had been physically abused throughout her life. She had old and new fractures, which clearly indicate that the unfortunate woman was repeatedly kicked or hit in the ribs. There were also injuries on her arms, possibly from trying to defend herself. Since her abuser had clearly been with the woman for a very long time, he could have been her husband.
History... This word evokes many associations - huge libraries of books, dusty tomes, fragile scrolls keeping the secrets of ancient civilizations. History is an area of the mysterious and unsolved past, understanding and knowledge of which can provide the key to future events. Often history seems to be a dry set of facts and events - external wars, internal reforms, uprisings. However, in any textbook there are paragraphs devoted to the socio-cultural life of society, and you should not ignore them or underestimate their importance. After all, history is, first of all, the people who create it. What was the life of farmers and artisans like in Ancient Egypt? This will be discussed in the article.
Civilization of Ancient Egypt
Ancient civilizations are surrounded by a mystical aura of mystery; certain aspects of their life still remain a mystery. Many researchers, scientists, and simply history buffs are attracted by the civilization of Ancient Egypt - one of the world's oldest civilizations. It originated in the middle of the 4th millennium BC. in northeast Africa along the lower Nile. Surrounded by natural boundaries (the Nile cataracts to the south, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, mountain ranges and tropical deserts to the west and east), Egyptian civilization was a vast oasis among the arid deserts. The prosperity of Ancient Egypt was largely due to the seasonal floods of the Nile, which filled the soil with moisture and brought fertile silt. At the beginning of June, algae appeared in the waters of the Nile, which colored the river green color, then volcanic dust fell into the Nile, giving the water a reddish tint. The water level rose and the river overflowed its banks, flooding the valley. In October the water level began to decline. Thanks to such natural conditions, the soils of the Nile Valley were favorable for agriculture. The entire economy of Ancient Egypt was based on productive agriculture.
Irrigation system
To make the most of the Nile waters, the Egyptians developed the first irrigation system in history. They built earthen embankments that separated the fields, laid special drains and canals to their plots. When the Nile flooded, the water flowed exactly where it was directed using this system of canals, and was retained in the squares formed by the embankments, nourishing and saturating the earth with moisture and fertile silt. From a bird's eye view, the entire country looked like a chessboard. The irrigation system protected cities and gardens from floods by directing water flows into the right direction. Among other things, it also made it possible to solve the problem of drinking water.
The need to construct and maintain an irrigation system required enormous efforts and forced farmers to unite. This is how nomes appeared - associations of agricultural communities. As they developed, what happened inside was social stratification- the top of the nobles gradually emerged, taking on leadership functions, and the nomes themselves united. Thus, the creation of a unified irrigation system was a prerequisite for the emergence of a centralized state in Egypt.
Social structure of ancient Egyptian society
The social structure of ancient Egyptian society is similar to the Egyptian pyramid: at the top is the pharaoh, below are officials, priests and military leaders, then the nobility, then farmers and artisans, and at the very bottom of the pyramid are slaves.
The majority of the population are farmers and artisans. How did these people live in Egypt? With their labor they fed not only the family, but also the pharaoh, his many servants and the army. What did farmers do in ancient Egypt? What about artisans? This will be discussed further.
Calendar of agricultural work
So, how did farmers and artisans live in Egypt? Let's talk about the first ones first. The entire agricultural life of Ancient Egypt depended on the floods of the Nile. In November, when the fields were cleared of water, work could begin - the lands were cultivated and crops were planted. In March-June of the modern calendar, drought came to Ancient Egypt, which meant the time for harvesting and paying taxes - the very first ears of corn were given to the nobles. At the same time, preventative repairs were carried out on the irrigation system, preparing for a new flood of the Nile. While the fields were covered with water, the work of farmers in Ancient Egypt was focused on the construction of temples and tombs of the pharaohs and nobles.
Tools of the ancient Egyptian farmer
Thanks to the fertile layer of silt, the ground was so soft that it could even be plowed with a light wooden plow. Livestock was driven through the sown areas, trampling the grain into the ground, which made it possible to protect the crops from birds. Ripe ears had to be removed from the field as soon as possible, since invasions of mice and locusts were frequent. To harvest grain crops, a sickle was used, which initially consisted of a wooden base with a silicon or bronze insert; later bronze and copper sickles appeared. Threshing of grain was also carried out with the help of livestock - they were allowed to trample and pull the cut ears. Then the grain was winnowed - scooped up with wooden shovels and thrown up so that the wind would carry away unnecessary husks and debris. Most of the harvest went to pay taxes.
Farmer's daily routine
How was a farmer's day spent in Ancient Egypt? Work began at sunrise and ended after sunset. After breakfast, the men went to the field to cultivate the land, remove weeds, sow, water the plants, carrying whole buckets of water from the irrigation basins. When the sun rose to its zenith, you could take a short break, have a snack and drink water, and relax in the shade under the canopy. And then - back to work. Sowing work is hard work, so it fell only on men’s shoulders. Women worked on the threshing floor, winnowing threshed grain in the wind. Children, until they grew up, helped in the household, collecting fuel for the fireplace - dry grass, twigs, manure.
Cultivated crops and personal farming
Of the grain crops, ancient Egyptian farmers sowed wheat and barley, and also grew flax for making fabric.
In the family's garden plots, leeks, beans, pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, and lettuce were planted. Grapes, dates, and fig trees were common.
Some families on their plots were engaged in breeding sheep, goats or pigs, poultry (geese, ducks, pigeons) and even bees in special clay vessels.
Food of the ancient Egyptians
The owner of the house, as a rule, woke up earlier than the rest of the household and had breakfast alone, immediately after washing. His food was barley cakes, soft and tasty bread made from sour dough, which the Egyptians learned to bake first, and barley beer or kvass. Occasionally on holidays there was meat on the table.
The women got up later and had breakfast with fruit and clean water.
Lunch usually consisted of bread, vegetables and fruits, poultry or fish and beer.
A common delicacy for poor people was sweet fruit, rhizomes or papyrus stems.
Cloth
The hot climate allowed the Egyptians to get by with a minimum of clothing.
Women wore dresses like sundresses - straight, long shirts made of coarse fabric - kalaziris.
Men wore loincloths - skhenti. The head was covered with a linen bandage or cap, or a special wig.
The Egyptians walked mostly barefoot; woven sandals appeared later and were highly valued - they were often carried with them in their hands, putting on shoes only after reaching their destination.
Worn by farmers and various decorations made of bronze and ceramics.
House of an ancient Egyptian farmer
What kind of houses did farmers live in in Egypt? The majestic pyramids of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, built of stone, have been perfectly preserved to this day and excite the thoughts and imagination of researchers. But the stone was used only for the construction of tombs and temples. For other needs, clay bricks were used, made from water, earth and straw with the addition of clay and Nile mud.
The floor was trampled below ground level, and steps were made at the entrance. The thermal insulation properties of mud brick and the semi-basement location of the house made it possible to maintain a fairly comfortable temperature inside the house during the midday heat. The windows were small square holes in the ceiling. For lighting, lamps fueled with olive oil or castor oil were used.
Craftsmen
Now you know how farmers lived. And the artisans in Egypt did not feast. Their life was also difficult.
In 1905, a whole settlement of artisans was discovered, engaged in the construction of temples in the Valley of the Kings. Its study has allowed archaeologists and historians to create a picture of the life of artisans in Ancient Egypt. Inhabiting Deir el-Medina, they occupied a more privileged position compared to the rest. For their work they received payment in food (grain, fish, meat), fabrics or silver.
Craftsmen worked in special workshops that belonged to the Egyptian nobility. There, their work was supervised by craftsmen who assessed the quality of the products being made, and scribes strictly kept records of the materials used. In their free time from orders, artisans could earn extra money by fulfilling orders from private individuals, because they, like farmers, had to pay fairly high taxes. Where did artisans live in Ancient Egypt? It often happened that they lived and worked in the same workshop. Or they had a separate, but very modest hut.
Types of crafts of Ancient Egypt
What did the artisans do? Jewelers were highly valued in Ancient Egypt. They served the needs of the pharaoh, nobility and priests, creating amazing jewelry and religious objects - statues of Egyptian gods were covered with gold and inlaid precious stones, sacrificial bowls were made of silver, the tombs of the pharaohs were filled with numerous golden utensils, designed to serve the deceased after his death in the afterlife. This craft was often passed down from father to son.
Blacksmiths made weapons and tools from copper and bronze, and later from iron.
What else did artisans do? Carpenters worked mainly on imported raw materials - after all, only palm trees grew in Egypt, the wood of which was used to make ordinary simple furniture. For the needs of the court, pine and ebony were exported to the country.
Potters began mass production of utensils, often decorating them with glaze or reliefs.
Weavers wove linen. There was even a special paint for dyeing fabrics. Tanners, shipwrights, shoemakers - simple artisans, like farmers, worked from early morning until late at night.
We must not forget about the artisans who processed reeds and made papyrus, which preserved for us many valuable information about ancient Egyptian history.
Market relations
The division of labor in society involves the further exchange of goods and services between representatives of various professions and crafts. Money did not exist in Ancient Egypt, but there was an equivalent - most likely, the cost of a particular product was measured by the weight of grain.
The work of an artisan in Ancient Egypt was not easy, but it was well paid, and they themselves were respected in society. Despite the somewhat primitive nature of the tools, the quality of the work of ancient Egyptian craftsmen was very high.
Now you know how farmers and artisans lived in Egypt. Their life cannot be called simple and carefree. The maintenance of numerous pharaoh's nobility and troops fell on their shoulders. Paying taxes was a heavy burden for commoners, who had to work all day long to feed their families. But it was thanks to their labors and efforts that Ancient Egypt was able to achieve such unprecedented prosperity and greatness and leave ancient monuments that have survived to this day.
