Even though they were at the bottom of the social class, they still took part in festivals honoring the Egyptian gods. The ancient Egyptian craftsmen have existed in Egypt since prehistoric times which the main materials used were stones, clay, wood, fibers, ivory, animal skins, bones, and feathers. The majority of peasants worked in the fields producing crops, while some worked as servants in the homes of wealthy nobles. Merchants. The Greek historian Herodotus is often credited with stating that Egypt was “the gift of the Nile.” Flowing into Egypt from an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level, Nile waters deposited silt, natural fertilizer, along its banks in Lower Egypt, turning the land green and agriculturally prosperous. Peasants were the bulk figure of the whole population stood at the lowest category in the society. Next was the planting season which occurred during October. This was mainly due to the Egyptian weather which was hot and dry and resulted in people preferring light clothing. Peasants are one of the social classes that are not treated well at all. Pharaohs were the ultimate leader of both government and religion. The peasants in ancient Egypt surely had a rough life. The Pharaohs were the ancient Egyptian rulers. Even though, they had few amenitiess but they normally had adequate nutrient to eat. The peasants worked as either reapers or gleaners. You will also learn why furniture was not plentiful in ancient Egyptian homes. Their wealth was earned mostly from agriculture by growing grain, vegetables, and fruit; and raising cattle, goats, pigs and fowl, and catching fish at the Nile River. However, Osiris was also known as the god of afterlife and the dead. Like modern families, ancient Egyptians enjoyed an array of leisure pastimes including outdoor activities, partying, dancing and playing games with friends and family. They worked as husbandmans on the Pharaoh ‘s ‘ and Lords ‘ land. Peasants were sometimes even considered unskilled laborers. Reed mats were hung from the ancient egyptian … However, they had more legal rights, and they could potentially rise through the social classes with a lot of diligence and effort. Each peasant family had their own home. Agricultural Slaves in Ancient Greece. The Daily Life of a Peasant Peasants spend most of their lives working,but they did have some free time. As a reward for working so hard, they were allowed to gather as much leftovers as they could and keep it for food. Others sold themselves into slavery to escape their difficult lives. Egyptian Peasants. Peasants, though, did not work the same jobs all year long; it depended on the three seasons throughout the year. Ancient Egypt contained many social classes. Despite being the lowest social class, ancient Egyptian society depended on the peasants. The ancient Egyptians were thorough in their cultivation of grain, as it was their main staple. Please contact Adobe Support. Peasants were usually farmers. Furnishings comprised no more than a rough stool, a box or chest, and perhaps a headrest. Peasants basically did the work. Peasants would also store things in reed baskets if they were lucky enough to purchase them. A peasant’s home was tiny in ancient Egypt. The Life Of Peasants In Ancient Egypt. Created with images by EvelynHill - "Classic", The Egyptian Project- Daily Life of Peasants. Peasants comprised as much as eighty percent of the Egyptian population (David 1998, pg 91). The majority of peasants worked in the fields producing crops, while some worked as servants in the homes of wealthy nobles. To become a government official, all men had to do was pass a series of exams that were open to everyone. The majority of peasants in ancient Egypt were farmers that depended on growing crops near the Nile River in ancient Egypt, moreover; He was regarded as the one that controlled the annual flooding of the Nile River that fertilized the land, where peasants grew crops. This name fits the season perfectly because during this time, peasants worked all day long cutting down the plants that they planted from the last season. Learn more about Greek Mythology: Monsters and Misfits. Peasants, though, did not work the same jobs all year long; it depended on the three seasons throughout the year. Published Date: 23 Mar 2015. They would plant mainly wheat and barley as their form of work. Their job was to protect the people while keeping the gods happy. Sewerage from rich and poor was disposed of by digging cess pits, throwing it in the river or in the streets. In Ancient Egyptian times peasants were buried in the ground. The Nile River : ( The Egyptian Nile River ) - The longest river in the world ancient Egypt Nile river The Egyptian line is the longe... Temple of Ramses II This temple is by no means the largest of the temples built by Ramses II, nor is it well preserved; in fact some of the... Crafts and Craftsmen in Ancient Egypt Part 1/4, Ptolemaic Dynasty in Ancient Egypt Part 2/3, Ancient Egyptian Nile River | Location , Course , Sources and Aswan Dam, The Peasant Farmers and Workmen in Ancient Egypt, What Survives from the Ancient Egyptian World. The Peasant Farmers and Workmen The peasant farmers on the estates lived in houses of sun- dried brick or wattle daubed with clay, not much different from the neolithic houses of their ancestors, with a single room (oblong or square), one door and no windows. Peasants were the least appreciated in the social levels of ancient Egypt so they would have to work almost constantly. In the cooperatives, village leaders were responsible for guiding and maintaining basic standards of living, whether they opened the granaries during times of famine or helped plant trees. This background picture is thanks to: http://www.historyonthenet.com/egyptians/housing.htm. They had the simplest houses with uncomfortable furniture and also had a simple diet. Peasants lived with the fewest comforts of the social classes, and lived in the simplest mud-brick houses. In theory, peasants had historically unprecedented access to social mobility. • What was the typical diet of peasants in ancient Egypt? And that's the daily life of a peasant in ancient Egypt! This picture is thanks to: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/510525307734419394/. They were generally considered unskilled laborers. What materials were used to make a home also depended on a person's class. People in the higher classes get respect yet for peasant's superior actions, nothing happens. The ancient Egyptian houses of the rich were often built around a central courtyard where flowers, fruit and vegetables were grown. Peasants had so little power and money that the clothes they had to wear were in bad condition. Though they had limited freedom, they did receive wages, had free time, and … Children respected their parents and gave equal importance to the lineages of their mothers and fathers when tracing their heritage. Some rich people’s houses had bathrooms and indoor toilets. Later on during the history of ancient Egypt metal was introduced in the crafting process, gold was found in its metallic state, silver was used as an adjunct of gold and ore was used after being smelted, they also used copper, tin, and iron. Some were buried in the mud brick tombs that surround the pyramids if they had died while helping to construct the pyramids. Farming. When you read the interesting facts and information below, you'll discover how peasant's homes differed from nobles and wealthy people's homes. The importance of the Nile River in the ancient Egyptian civilization cannot be overstated. Peasants and Slaves in Ancient Egypt . Ancient Egyptian Slaves. For instance, peasants did not get much free time because of work and they did not even receive comfortable clothes to live and work in. They mostly grew wild grain including wheat, barley and flax. Family was very important in ancient Egyptian society, and girls were valued just as highly as boys. It was cooler, and quite lovely sleeping under the stars. Children born to slaves became slaves as well. Slave dealing in Ancient Egypt was done through private dealers and not through a public market. There was a problem submitting your report. Despite them being the lowest social class, Yet Egyptian Society depended on their work. Winnowing means to get the debris off of grain. The first season took place between June and September. They may have had a straw mattress or rug to sleep on if available. What Did Peasants In Ancient Egypt Eat. Since the clothing in ancient Egypt was very expensive, the peasants had to make the clothes themselves. They have horrible living conditions. Working Life Peasant life in ancient Egypt was not always enjoyable. Barely having any free time, the peasants had little time to have fun and instead had to work. Making the clothes was one of the many chores that women had to take on every day. Peasants mainly only ate bread, simple fruits, honey or sap, and were sometimes forced to eat papyrus because of a food shortage. As expected, those who were wealthy had much larger homes than those who were poor. Peasants comprised as much as eighty percent of the Egyptian population (David 1998, pg 91). 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