Human Characteristics
The day started off with a bath (consisting of water poured over the head and body), then the morning's meal. Wealthy people were often able to choose from a large variety of foods, such as honey-sweetened bread, melons, and figs, while the poor oftentimes dined on brittle barley loaves and bean stew. Many boys either worked with their fathers or went to scribe school, where they learned to write hieroglyphics; Coptic Egyptian was spoken, but not everyone knew how to write. Typical jobs for men included scribes, soldiers, and priests. Many girls stayed home and were educated in music and other forms of art, such as weaving fabric. Typical jobs for women included musicians, professional mourners, and traders or businesswomen. In the afternoons, wealthy families might have taken a hunting trip, boat ride, or gone swimming in the Nile. For the evening meal, the wealthy enjoyed a variety of fruits, vegetables, and types of meat, such as duck and goose. A poor family may have dined on bread, stew, and home-grown vegetables. At the end of the day, many across Egypt got down on their knees to pray to their patron gods.
The Egyptians were polytheistic, which meant they worshiped many gods. That includes:
Osiris, the god of the underworld.
Isis, the goddess of motherhood, fertility, and magic.
Horus, the patron of the living pharaoh.
Amun-Ra, the sun god and "king of gods."
Nut, the goddess of the sky.
Osiris, the god of the underworld.
Isis, the goddess of motherhood, fertility, and magic.
Horus, the patron of the living pharaoh.
Amun-Ra, the sun god and "king of gods."
Nut, the goddess of the sky.
Pharaohs were rulers that had complete power over their people, and claimed they were chosen by the gods.
The Egyptians created beautiful art and jewelry; some of the well-known structures of their time include the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
The Egyptians created beautiful art and jewelry; some of the well-known structures of their time include the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
Physical Characteristics
Because 90% of Egypt was basically desert, the climate was hot and dry. Egypt's biggest cities were located along the Nile, which overflowed once a year and provided the surrounding land (Black Land) with rich nutrients perfect for farming. The sandy desert beyond this region was called the Red Land, and provided protection from enemies that might try to attack.
"Planet Egypt: The Birth of an Empire" provides an in-depth description of how ancient Egypt came to be.
Isis, the patron of women.