There was some possibility that a person could work their way up the rungs of the social ladder by learning trades or getting bureaucratic jobs. The peasants were the largest social class, and the royal family was the smallest. Finally, there were the peasants, primarily farmers, with enslaved people and servants at the bottom of the social order. Next were the soldiers, scribes, merchants, and artisans. At the very top was the royal family, followed by members of the royal court, like the vizier and priests. Much like the pyramids the Egyptians built to honor their dead rulers, the social structure of the civilization resembled a pyramid. Population & Social ClassesĪ key component of life in Ancient Egypt was social classes. They believed that no one had better lives than they did, and they have proudly preserved their legacy through many lasting monuments and cultural influences. But there is much more to ancient Egyptian culture. After all, the pyramids are the enduring symbol of civilization. When most people think about ancient Egypt, they think about the rituals surrounding death.
