Student Article

We often hear about the mighty Pharaohs of ancient Egypt and their grand temples. But what was life like for the ordinary people? From farmers to scribes, and mothers to midwives, daily life in ancient Egypt was full of routines and responsibilities.

Social pyramid

Most Egyptians were at the bottom of the social pyramid. This included farmers, servants, and enslave people who worked the land owned by the king, the nobles, or the temples. Craftsmen, soldiers, and workers came next. Scribes and doctors made up the professional class, followed by the wealthy elite. The Pharaoh, seen as a god-king, ruled from the very top.

Family life and gender roles

Families were very important. With no hospitals or welfare programs, people relied on family members for help. Marriage was practical, and boys and girls usually followed in their parents' footsteps. Boys learned trades from their fathers, while girls learned to run a household.

Women and the home

Wives were known as "Mistresses of the House." They took care of cooking, cleaning, and childcare. Men worked outside to bring in food and supplies. Though we know less about women, we do know they had legal rights and could own property.

Childbirth and children

Childbirth was risky. Women gave birth while squatting on special birthing bricks, helped by a midwife. Amulets of gods like Taweret and Bes protected mother and baby. Wealthy women sometimes gave birth in special huts. Babies were breastfed for up to three years.

Homes and living spaces

Houses were made of mud bricks and didn’t last long, but one village — Deir el-Medina — still survives. Homes were narrow and dark with small kitchens. People used the flat roof for extra living space and to let out cooking smoke.

Food and resources

Bread, fish, onions, and beans were everyday foods. The Egyptians didn’t use money — they earned food or traded for it. Most people drank beer made from barley; wine was for the wealthy.

Clothing and hygiene

Clothes were made of linen. Women wore plain dresses and men wore kilts. Clothes were passed down and reused, sometimes even as mummy wrappings. Laundry was done using natron, a natural salt.

Medicine and science

Doctors used a mix of science and magic. They believed in canals inside the body, and that problems in these canals caused illness. Treatments included potions, surgeries, and spells. Some doctors specialized in women’s health.

Spiritual life and religion

Egyptians believed in many gods. The Pharaoh and priests worshipped powerful state gods, but regular people prayed to local deities and used magic to protect themselves. Magic, science, and religion were closely linked.

Death and the afterlife

Death wasn’t the end. Egyptians believed that the body had to be preserved to live again. Rich people were mummified in a process that involved drying the body with natron and removing organs. Most people were buried in simple graves, but still hoped for an afterlife.

© Joyce Tyldesley / www.historyextra.com