The Pharaoh
As the leader of all Egyptians, I have many important roles as the pharaoh. I need to inspect my lands, my buildings and my people, to ensure everyone is working hard. I also need to lead military expeditions, especially if we are threatened by other civilisations! When we are visited by representatives from other countries, I entertain them with elaborate dinners and entertainment. I also attend religious festivals up and down the Nile.
Every day, my vizier comes to see me and gives me a daily report about what is happening in Egypt. I also read dispatches from soldiers in the army, and dictate replies to various requests with the help of my scribe. I have many wives, but only one is my Great Royal Wife, who helps me make political decisions. My wives and children join me in entertaining guests and attending royal festivals.
My servants and workmen take care of household duties and upkeep, so when I am not doing official Pharaoh duties, I have a lot of leisure time. I host a lot of banquets with delicious foods, and am entertained by musicians and dancers. Sometimes I also take part in hunting expeditions.
As the leader of all Egyptians, I have many important roles as the pharaoh. I need to inspect my lands, my buildings and my people, to ensure everyone is working hard. I also need to lead military expeditions, especially if we are threatened by other civilisations! When we are visited by representatives from other countries, I entertain them with elaborate dinners and entertainment. I also attend religious festivals up and down the Nile.
Every day, my vizier comes to see me and gives me a daily report about what is happening in Egypt. I also read dispatches from soldiers in the army, and dictate replies to various requests with the help of my scribe. I have many wives, but only one is my Great Royal Wife, who helps me make political decisions. My wives and children join me in entertaining guests and attending royal festivals.
My servants and workmen take care of household duties and upkeep, so when I am not doing official Pharaoh duties, I have a lot of leisure time. I host a lot of banquets with delicious foods, and am entertained by musicians and dancers. Sometimes I also take part in hunting expeditions.
Noble Man
As a wealthy man, I can afford to live in a country villa with gardens and pools, and even a second house in town. I wear long, pleated robes made of fine linen, papyrus sandals, and makeup around my eyes to protect them from the sun and eye disease.
I have many luxurious things. I employ household officials to ensure my house runs smoothly, and own servants and slaves to undertake menial and laborious tasks. I also wear jewellery and perfumes, own many chariots and weaponry, and large boats with fine decoration.
I have lots of leisure times because I have servants and slaves completing tasks for me. In my free time, I fish on the Nile from my boat, hunt bulls in my chariot, host and attend banquets, and watch musical and dancing entertainment.
As a wealthy man, I can afford to live in a country villa with gardens and pools, and even a second house in town. I wear long, pleated robes made of fine linen, papyrus sandals, and makeup around my eyes to protect them from the sun and eye disease.
I have many luxurious things. I employ household officials to ensure my house runs smoothly, and own servants and slaves to undertake menial and laborious tasks. I also wear jewellery and perfumes, own many chariots and weaponry, and large boats with fine decoration.
I have lots of leisure times because I have servants and slaves completing tasks for me. In my free time, I fish on the Nile from my boat, hunt bulls in my chariot, host and attend banquets, and watch musical and dancing entertainment.
Craftworker
I am sometimes employed by the Pharaoh to maintain and repair things in his household. I also work in temples or the houses of wealthy individuals to do the same things. If I am working on one of the Pharaoh’s large projects, such as building the Valley of the Kings, other craftworkers and I are organised into gangs and are supervised by a foreman and a scribe. We work in four-hour shifts for eight days straight, and live in villages constructed close by. On my days off, I am allowed to return home to my village to visit my family. It is hard work. We are paid in monthly rations of wheat flour, so we can make bread, and barley, so we can make beer.
I am sometimes employed by the Pharaoh to maintain and repair things in his household. I also work in temples or the houses of wealthy individuals to do the same things. If I am working on one of the Pharaoh’s large projects, such as building the Valley of the Kings, other craftworkers and I are organised into gangs and are supervised by a foreman and a scribe. We work in four-hour shifts for eight days straight, and live in villages constructed close by. On my days off, I am allowed to return home to my village to visit my family. It is hard work. We are paid in monthly rations of wheat flour, so we can make bread, and barley, so we can make beer.
Farmer
Like most other people in Egypt, I am a farmer. My life is dictated by the flooding of the Nile. The work is hard, outdoors, and I get few days off.
During the Inundation (June-September), I cannot farm my land, so I focus on repairing my farming equipments and making objects to use around the house. After the floodwaters have drained away (October-February), my main role is to plough and plant the land. This is very hard work, because the soil is heavy with water. In mid-march, the harvest begins and continues til May. During this time, I harvest my crops, then thresh them, separating the grains from their stems. Then, I winnow the grains, separating them from dirt and other materials. I then measure and transport the crop to storage bins.
I wear loincloths made of linen, and go barefoot. I do not have much leisure time, and my days off are usually during religious festivals. Otherwise, I sleep under trees in the afternoon sun, play the flute, and drink beer with my friends. I also fish in Nile.
Like most other people in Egypt, I am a farmer. My life is dictated by the flooding of the Nile. The work is hard, outdoors, and I get few days off.
During the Inundation (June-September), I cannot farm my land, so I focus on repairing my farming equipments and making objects to use around the house. After the floodwaters have drained away (October-February), my main role is to plough and plant the land. This is very hard work, because the soil is heavy with water. In mid-march, the harvest begins and continues til May. During this time, I harvest my crops, then thresh them, separating the grains from their stems. Then, I winnow the grains, separating them from dirt and other materials. I then measure and transport the crop to storage bins.
I wear loincloths made of linen, and go barefoot. I do not have much leisure time, and my days off are usually during religious festivals. Otherwise, I sleep under trees in the afternoon sun, play the flute, and drink beer with my friends. I also fish in Nile.
Royal Woman
Depending on the situation, I am either the relative or wife of the Pharaoh, or the Pharaoh myself. As the wife of the Pharaoh, I can play a very important role in Egyptian affairs. I receive foreign guests with my husband, and participate in many religious festivals.
The Pharaoh can have many wives, but only I am the Great Royal Wife.
If I am the daughter of the Pharaoh, I am held in the same high regard as my brother. I accompany my parents on tours of inspection and also participate in religious festivals.
If I am the Pharaoh myself, I need to have been a very close relative to the previous Pharaoh. Hatshepsut, the most famous female Pharaoh, was married to Thutmose II. When Thutmose II died, his oldest son was only 6. Hatshepsut ruled on his behalf, but eventually took the role of Pharaoh herself, after gaining approval from important male advisors.
Depending on the situation, I am either the relative or wife of the Pharaoh, or the Pharaoh myself. As the wife of the Pharaoh, I can play a very important role in Egyptian affairs. I receive foreign guests with my husband, and participate in many religious festivals.
The Pharaoh can have many wives, but only I am the Great Royal Wife.
If I am the daughter of the Pharaoh, I am held in the same high regard as my brother. I accompany my parents on tours of inspection and also participate in religious festivals.
If I am the Pharaoh myself, I need to have been a very close relative to the previous Pharaoh. Hatshepsut, the most famous female Pharaoh, was married to Thutmose II. When Thutmose II died, his oldest son was only 6. Hatshepsut ruled on his behalf, but eventually took the role of Pharaoh herself, after gaining approval from important male advisors.
Noble Woman
I have the same legal status as a man in Ancient Egypt – I can buy and sell land, sign contracts, give evidence in a court of law, and divorce my husband. However, my status is determined by my husband’s, and culturally my role is to support my husband and raise a family. In fact, my status is increased with motherhood – I am more respected in society as a married woman than an unmarried one.
My main role is to look after the home. I supervise the servants and slaves to make sure jobs around the house are carried out efficiently and well. I am also expected to support my husband in his career. Sometimes it is acceptable for me to stand in for my husband is he is away. Otherwise, the only employment I can have is to work in a temple as a musician. I also wear long, pleated robes made of fine linen, papyrus sandals, and makeup around my eyes to protect them from the sun and eye disease.
I have the same legal status as a man in Ancient Egypt – I can buy and sell land, sign contracts, give evidence in a court of law, and divorce my husband. However, my status is determined by my husband’s, and culturally my role is to support my husband and raise a family. In fact, my status is increased with motherhood – I am more respected in society as a married woman than an unmarried one.
My main role is to look after the home. I supervise the servants and slaves to make sure jobs around the house are carried out efficiently and well. I am also expected to support my husband in his career. Sometimes it is acceptable for me to stand in for my husband is he is away. Otherwise, the only employment I can have is to work in a temple as a musician. I also wear long, pleated robes made of fine linen, papyrus sandals, and makeup around my eyes to protect them from the sun and eye disease.
Village Woman
I am the wife of a craftsmen. I have the same legal status as a man in Ancient Egypt – I can buy and sell land, sign contracts, give evidence in a court of law, and divorce my husband. My land would still be my land after I marry my husband, and if I divorce him. However, my role culturally is to support my husband and raise a family. After I have children, I am seen as unclean, and have to sleep on the flat roof of my house for 14 days. I wear a long, plain dress made of linen with straps on the shoulders and go barefoot.
Other than looking after my children, I can add to my husband’s income by spinning, weaving and dressmaking. Sometimes I also work at stalls in the village market. I could also serve in a temple as a minor priestess, or be employed as a singer, musician, or dancer. Sometimes I am assisted in household tasks by slaves.
I am the wife of a craftsmen. I have the same legal status as a man in Ancient Egypt – I can buy and sell land, sign contracts, give evidence in a court of law, and divorce my husband. My land would still be my land after I marry my husband, and if I divorce him. However, my role culturally is to support my husband and raise a family. After I have children, I am seen as unclean, and have to sleep on the flat roof of my house for 14 days. I wear a long, plain dress made of linen with straps on the shoulders and go barefoot.
Other than looking after my children, I can add to my husband’s income by spinning, weaving and dressmaking. Sometimes I also work at stalls in the village market. I could also serve in a temple as a minor priestess, or be employed as a singer, musician, or dancer. Sometimes I am assisted in household tasks by slaves.
Peasant Woman
I am the wife of a farmer. I help my husband on the farm, working hard during harvest season, carrying baskets of grain to the storehouses. Otherwise, I am baking, brewing, weaving and spinning. Sometimes I provide refreshments or sell beer, bread, vegetables and fish at the markets.
I am the wife of a farmer. I help my husband on the farm, working hard during harvest season, carrying baskets of grain to the storehouses. Otherwise, I am baking, brewing, weaving and spinning. Sometimes I provide refreshments or sell beer, bread, vegetables and fish at the markets.
Royal Child
I am the son or daughter of the Pharaoh and one of his wives. Only the highest ranking men and women are appointed to teach my and be my nurses. Both boys and girls are taught to read, write and paint. Girls are taught that are allowed to be independent and be physical, running around and playing sport with their brothers. Boys are taught how to swim, hunt and engage in warfare.
I am the son or daughter of the Pharaoh and one of his wives. Only the highest ranking men and women are appointed to teach my and be my nurses. Both boys and girls are taught to read, write and paint. Girls are taught that are allowed to be independent and be physical, running around and playing sport with their brothers. Boys are taught how to swim, hunt and engage in warfare.
Village Child
I am the son or daughter of a farmer, soldier, or craftworker. My parents wish to have a big family, and are very affectionate towards me. As a son, I am more favoured than my sister, but she is also well cared for. If I was born into a wealthy family, I would attend school at one of the temples, but I stay home and learn my duties from my parents. If my father is a craftsman and I am a boy, he will teach me his profession. If I am a girl, my mother will teach me household skills like sewing, cooking and weaving. If my parents are farmers, I am expected to help them on the farm from the age of five. I scatter seeds and harvest grain.
I have many toys that have been made by my parents. I have a leather or cloth ball, some pottery and wooden animals. Sometimes my toys are even on wheels so I can pull them along behind me with a bit of string.
I am the son or daughter of a farmer, soldier, or craftworker. My parents wish to have a big family, and are very affectionate towards me. As a son, I am more favoured than my sister, but she is also well cared for. If I was born into a wealthy family, I would attend school at one of the temples, but I stay home and learn my duties from my parents. If my father is a craftsman and I am a boy, he will teach me his profession. If I am a girl, my mother will teach me household skills like sewing, cooking and weaving. If my parents are farmers, I am expected to help them on the farm from the age of five. I scatter seeds and harvest grain.
I have many toys that have been made by my parents. I have a leather or cloth ball, some pottery and wooden animals. Sometimes my toys are even on wheels so I can pull them along behind me with a bit of string.
Builder
I’m a builder in Ancient Egypt, and I know everything there is to know about the different houses people lived in. All Egyptian houses are made out of mud brought by the Nile floods. This mud is then mixed with straw for bricks, which are dried in the sun. Roofs are thatched with papyrus reed, flat, and have vents to let in cool breezes from the north. The windows are quite high on the walls to avoid letting heat and glare in, so many houses are quite dark.
Workers and farmers live in single-storey houses. There are generally four rooms: a front room with an offering table, a second room with sleeping platforms, a third room for storage, and a small courtyard where cooking is done. Furniture is expensive, so there is not much of it – people sit and sleep on brick platforms. The floor is packed hard earth. There is a narrow staircase at the back of the house that leads up to the roof – during summer, people often sleep on the roof because it is cooler.
Nobles’ houses are two storeys, and surrounded by great walls. They have gardens of palm trees and flowering plants, and even pools. The walls of the house are covered in white limestone plaster to reflect the heat. Around the edge of the garden are kitchens, storehouses and workshops where craftsmen produce goods for the house. The bathrooms had walls of stone tiles, and the floor was a stone slab sloping down to a large jar that collected waste water. All the water used in the household would have been carried up by servants from the Nile, or from a well.
I’m a builder in Ancient Egypt, and I know everything there is to know about the different houses people lived in. All Egyptian houses are made out of mud brought by the Nile floods. This mud is then mixed with straw for bricks, which are dried in the sun. Roofs are thatched with papyrus reed, flat, and have vents to let in cool breezes from the north. The windows are quite high on the walls to avoid letting heat and glare in, so many houses are quite dark.
Workers and farmers live in single-storey houses. There are generally four rooms: a front room with an offering table, a second room with sleeping platforms, a third room for storage, and a small courtyard where cooking is done. Furniture is expensive, so there is not much of it – people sit and sleep on brick platforms. The floor is packed hard earth. There is a narrow staircase at the back of the house that leads up to the roof – during summer, people often sleep on the roof because it is cooler.
Nobles’ houses are two storeys, and surrounded by great walls. They have gardens of palm trees and flowering plants, and even pools. The walls of the house are covered in white limestone plaster to reflect the heat. Around the edge of the garden are kitchens, storehouses and workshops where craftsmen produce goods for the house. The bathrooms had walls of stone tiles, and the floor was a stone slab sloping down to a large jar that collected waste water. All the water used in the household would have been carried up by servants from the Nile, or from a well.
Cook
Egyptians have access to a large range of foods, and leave lots of evidence behind for historians to discover in the future. Clay and wooden models of garlic and cucumber are placed in tombs. In one tomb, we even put a real bunch of garlic with the stems tied together! We have painting of lettuces in tombs, and also write about using lettuce to treat medical conditions. The seeds of radishes and melons, and the stones of dates are left on many sites. We also eat a lot of lentils – historians will find them in our stomachs! We store beans in the step pyramid, and left a basket of grapes and a jar of almonds in Tutankhamun’s tomb. We paint pictures of us picking figs, and make jewellery the same shape as the mandrake fruit. We also leave the bones of pigs and fish in different sites in Egypt.
Egyptians have access to a large range of foods, and leave lots of evidence behind for historians to discover in the future. Clay and wooden models of garlic and cucumber are placed in tombs. In one tomb, we even put a real bunch of garlic with the stems tied together! We have painting of lettuces in tombs, and also write about using lettuce to treat medical conditions. The seeds of radishes and melons, and the stones of dates are left on many sites. We also eat a lot of lentils – historians will find them in our stomachs! We store beans in the step pyramid, and left a basket of grapes and a jar of almonds in Tutankhamun’s tomb. We paint pictures of us picking figs, and make jewellery the same shape as the mandrake fruit. We also leave the bones of pigs and fish in different sites in Egypt.