This document provides reading and activity instructions for a chapter in a history textbook about ancient Egypt's social pyramid structure. Students are asked to read several sections describing different social classes - government officials, priests, scribes, artisans, and peasants. They analyze the roles, responsibilities, lifestyle, education, and work of each class. Students then select two classes to compare and contrast aspects like work, food, and leisure activities. The goal is for students to understand the complex social hierarchy that organized ancient Egyptian civilization.

1. Chapter 9
History Alive – The Ancient World

2.  Look at the graphic organizer on page 81 and answer
the following questions:
 What is this shape?
 What might the symbols on the different levels of the
pyramid represent?
 Why do you think the levels at the top of the pyramid
are smaller while those at the bottom are larger?
 Select on of the social classes on this pyramid. What do
you think daily life was like for someone in that class?

3.  Read section 9.2 pg 82
 Answer the following:
 Name the various classes
in Egypt’s social pyramid
 In what ways was ancient
Egypt’s society similar to
the society of your school?
 In what ways was it
different?
 Do you think a pyramid is
an appropriate way to
represent ancient Egypt’s
social structure? Why or
why not?

4.  With your partner:
 Read section 9.3 on
pages 84-85 in
textbook
 Complete the pyramid
section in journal for
Government Officials
 Compare notes with
table group

5.  Highest class on Egypt’s social pyramid after the
pharaoh
 Three important Officials
 Vizier
 Chief Treasurer
 General of the armies
 Vizer – chief judge
 Chief Treasurer – Government’s wealth
 General of the armies – top military commander
 Life of luxury

6.  With your partner:
 Read section 9.4 on
pages 86-87 in
textbook
 Complete the pyramid
section in journal for
Priests
 Compare notes with
table group

7.  Served under the pharaoh
 Duties:
 Highest Priest
 Temple Priest
 Women Priest
 Embalming
 Sarcophagus

8.  With your partner:
 Read section 9.5 on
pages 88-89 in
textbook
 Complete the pyramid
section in journal for
Scribes
 Compare notes with
table group

9.  One level below Priests
 Egypt’s official writers and record
keepers
 One way to move up in social classes
 12 years or more in scribe school
 Hieroglyphs
 Difficult life
 Tools: pens, paper, tablets, ink wells

10.  With your partner:
 Read section 9.6 on
pages 90-91 in
textbook
 Complete the pyramid
section in journal for
Artisans
 Compare notes with
table group

11.  Below the Scribes
 Types of Artisans
 Carpenters
 Jewelers
 Leather and metalworkers
 Painters
 Potters
 Sculptors
 Weavers
 Little recognition from upper class
 Difficult work – hard rock
 Family life

12.  With your partner:
 Read section 9.7 on
pages 92-93 in
textbook
 Complete the pyramid
section in journal for
Peasants
 Compare notes with
table group

13.  Life revolved around three seasons
 Songs
 Daily Food
 During Harvest

14.  Pick two social classes
 Compare and contrast the following:
 Work
 Food
 Fun
 Share with your table group

15.  Frey, W. (2004). History Alive! The Ancient World. (L.
Alavosus, Ed.) Palo Alto, CA: Teachers' Curriculum
Institute.