Ancient Egyptian Children

8/12/2019 Ancient Egyptian Children

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ncient Egyptian

ChildrenThe Pearls of an Empire

By Nicholas Duva

This study of Ancient Egyptian

Children touches on three interesting

aspects of their life: education, food

and free time. It goes beyond the

usual Egyptian topics - the pyramids,

mummies, etc. and tries to show

what life was truly like for children ofthat time and place.


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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children

And EducationAnd Education

Today, every child in America s is

entitled to a free public education. But

that was not true in Ancient Egypt,

where only select boys and very, veryfew girls were taught to read and write.

The less privileged were taught by their

parent in the trade that they worked in.


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Girls Education In Ancient EgyptGirls Education In Ancient Egypt

As in many other cultures of the time, girls didAs in many other cultures of the time, girls did

not go to school. Instead they stayed home andnot go to school. Instead they stayed home andwere taught how to cook, weave, etc. by theirwere taught how to cook, weave, etc. by their

mothers. They also helped in the fields.mothers. They also helped in the fields.

A very select few who were to become doctorsA very select few who were to become doctorsor lawyers were taught to read and write.or lawyers were taught to read and write.

Only one woman everOnly one woman ever

became pharaoh,became pharaoh,

HatshepsutHatshepsut..

A privileged Egyptian

girl writing


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Education of Common Boys inEducation of Common Boys in

Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt

The upbringing of boys who were commonersThe upbringing of boys who were commoners

was left largely in the hands of their fathers.was left largely in the hands of their fathers. If your parents were farmers, you might work inIf your parents were farmers, you might work in

the fields. If you dad was a carpenter, youthe fields. If you dad was a carpenter, you

might help him build boxes. You might have tomight help him build boxes. You might have togive the animals water, chisel stone, polishgive the animals water, chisel stone, polish

pottery, or pound papyrus into paper,pottery, or pound papyrus into paper,

all depending on your familys trade.all depending on your familys trade.You would be taught onlyYou would be taught only

the skills they had learned.the skills they had learned. A picture of anEgyptian boy


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Becoming ScribesBecoming Scribes

Scribes were highly valued members of EgyptianScribes were highly valued members of Egyptian

society. They studied for many years to learn tosociety. They studied for many years to learn toread and write. Scribes had great opportunitiesread and write. Scribes had great opportunities

as accountants, priests, doctors, or governmentas accountants, priests, doctors, or government

officials. One scribe,officials. One scribe, HoremhabHoremhab, even became, even becamepharaoh.pharaoh.

Only boys could become scribes. SomeOnly boys could become scribes. Some

speculation denotes that there were femalespeculation denotes that there were femalescribes, but that has not yet been proven true.scribes, but that has not yet been proven true.


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Becoming Scribes (Continued)Becoming Scribes (Continued)

Education was hard; there was a lot of work,Education was hard; there was a lot of work,

and a boy had to obey his strict superiors. Thisand a boy had to obey his strict superiors. Thiswas because the teachers had the burden ofwas because the teachers had the burden ofeducating Egypts future. And this was takeneducating Egypts future. And this was takenvery seriously.very seriously.

Boys were taught by officials from the localBoys were taught by officials from the localcourthouse that the school was built behind.courthouse that the school was built behind.

For punishment, beatings and other physicalFor punishment, beatings and other physical

discipline was common.discipline was common. The youngest students at school did not haveThe youngest students at school did not have

papyrus to write on, they used clay pieces. Itpapyrus to write on, they used clay pieces. It

wasnt until they were mature and old enoughwasnt until they were mature and old enoughthat the were allowed to use a rus.that the were allowed to use a rus.


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Becoming Scribes (Continued)Becoming Scribes (Continued)

There were two types of writing taughtThere were two types of writing taught --

hieratic and hieroglyphics. They alsohieratic and hieroglyphics. They alsotaught subjects such as arithmetic.taught subjects such as arithmetic.

The student sat Indian style and held hisThe student sat Indian style and held his

writing board in his lap.writing board in his lap.Among his writing materials wereAmong his writing materials were

sharpened reeds, a scribal palettesharpened reeds, a scribal palette

with red and black inkwells, and awith red and black inkwells, and a

water jug in which to dip the reed.water jug in which to dip the reed.Scribe


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And Their MealsAnd Their Meals

What do children eat today? For breakfast,maybe cereal? For lunch, a peanut butter

sandwich? For dinner, a hamburger and fries?

In Ancient Egypt, children also had their favorites.

These foods were slightly different than those

eaten by their parents and other adults.


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And Their BreakfastsAnd Their Breakfasts

Breakfast had to be hearty, because theBreakfast had to be hearty, because the

Ancient Egyptians did not eat lunch.Ancient Egyptians did not eat lunch.

The meal would consist of fruit, such asThe meal would consist of fruit, such as

grapes, apples or figs, and/or Honey Flatgrapes, apples or figs, and/or Honey FlatBread.Bread.

Beer and water wereBeer and water were

drunk by adultsdrunk by adults andand

Children.Children.

Figs


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And Their SuppersAnd Their Suppers

Unlike breakfast, more meats and fish,Unlike breakfast, more meats and fish,

considered luxuries, were eaten at supper.considered luxuries, were eaten at supper.

The meats eaten were beef, gazelle, andThe meats eaten were beef, gazelle, and

birds, preferably geese.birds, preferably geese. Like breakfast, fruits, bread, water and beerLike breakfast, fruits, bread, water and beer

were also an integral part of their suppers.were also an integral part of their suppers.

GazelleBeer


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And Their SnacksAnd Their Snacks

The Ancient Egyptian elders usually treatedThe Ancient Egyptian elders usually treated

the children to many treats.the children to many treats.

They were based on fruits, especially figs.They were based on fruits, especially figs.

Fig tarts were favorites.Fig tarts were favorites. The Ancient Egyptians usedThe Ancient Egyptians used

honey instead of sugar to sweetenhoney instead of sugar to sweeten

their treats.their treats.

Honey

Fig Newtons-

similar to

Egyptian fig tarts


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And How they Cooked and AteAnd How they Cooked and Ate

The Ancient Egyptian Children, and their elders,The Ancient Egyptian Children, and their elders,

ate with their hands (the tips of their fingers).ate with their hands (the tips of their fingers).

Storage jars, bowls, pots, panStorage jars, bowls, pots, pans, ladles, sieves, ands, ladles, sieves, and

whisks were all used in the preparation of food.whisks were all used in the preparation of food.

Most of the commoners used dishes that wereMost of the commoners used dishes that were

made ofmade of clclay, while the tableware of the wealthyay, while the tableware of the wealthy

was often made of bronze, silver, or gold.was often made of bronze, silver, or gold.

Food was baked, boiled, stewed,Food was baked, boiled, stewed,

fried, grilled, or roasted.fried, grilled, or roasted.Reconstructed

Kitchen


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And Their Free TimeAnd Their Free Time

Even though Ancient Egyptian Children had

a lot of responsibility, their parents weresure to always give them lots of free time.

The children were always encouraged tohave fun, for the wise Egyptians knew to let

them enjoy childhood. For their children,

the Ancient Egyptians developed gamesthat are still played in nations across the

world today.


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And Their Childhood GamesAnd Their Childhood Games

LeapLeap--Frog, TugFrog, Tug--OO--War, and HideWar, and Hide--NN--SeekSeek

were just a few of the games they playedwere just a few of the games they playedthat are still very popular today.that are still very popular today.

The boys also played Soldiers, and theThe boys also played Soldiers, and the

girls had a game in which you hold handsgirls had a game in which you hold handsand go around and aroundand go around and around

in a type of spinningin a type of spinning

dance.dance.

A modern game of

Tug-O-War


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And Board GamesAnd Board Games

The most popular game by far wasThe most popular game by far was SenetSenet, a, a

game very similar to the modern backgammon.game very similar to the modern backgammon.But, it was mostly played by adults.But, it was mostly played by adults.

Other games of the time included Dogs andOther games of the time included Dogs andJackals, 30 and 50 squares, and Ouija.Jackals, 30 and 50 squares, and Ouija.

Most board games had meanings beyond theMost board games had meanings beyond thegame.game. SenetSenet was a verywas a very

religious board game, andreligious board game, and

Ouija was used to predictOuija was used to predict

the future.the future.

Senet


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And Fitness GamesAnd Fitness Games

Boys preferred team sports, such asBoys preferred team sports, such as

Egyptian hockey, while girls fanciedEgyptian hockey, while girls fanciedgames that were less fiercely competitive.games that were less fiercely competitive.

Balls were the most popular object used inBalls were the most popular object used in

these games, and were made of a leatherthese games, and were made of a leatherskin filled with chaff.skin filled with chaff.

Boys also played a spearBoys also played a spear--throwing gamethrowing game

in which you had to hit a target on thein which you had to hit a target on theground.ground.

Egyptian Field

Hockey


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And Their Childhood ToysAnd Their Childhood Toys

Wood, ivory, stone, ceramics, and boneWood, ivory, stone, ceramics, and bone

toys ranging from toy animals to spinningtoys ranging from toy animals to spinningtops were made for Ancient Egyptiantops were made for Ancient EgyptianChildren.Children.

Mechanical toys were all the rage backMechanical toys were all the rage back

then.then.Special wooden dolls were made for girls.Special wooden dolls were made for girls.They were not just toys, they wereThey were not just toys, they were

friends that were buried with the child iffriends that were buried with the child if

she died. These dolls were takenshe died. These dolls were takeneverywhere, and were treated like humaneverywhere, and were treated like humanbeings.beings.


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Just Them and the NileJust Them and the Nile

The Nile River was not only used forThe Nile River was not only used for

agricultural and other essential purposes.agricultural and other essential purposes.It was also the best place to take a swim,It was also the best place to take a swim,though you had to be wary of Nilethough you had to be wary of NileCrocodiles, hippos, and frogs. EgyptiansCrocodiles, hippos, and frogs. Egyptians

were very good swimmers, and enjoyed itwere very good swimmers, and enjoyed itvery much. Royal and noble childrenvery much. Royal and noble childrenoften took swimming lessons.often took swimming lessons.

The Nile, the canals and the lakes wereThe Nile, the canals and the lakes wereideal places to fish. Much of the fishingideal places to fish. Much of the fishingwas enjoyed as a break from harder work,was enjoyed as a break from harder work,as well as being a way of collecting foodas well as being a way of collecting foodfor the family.for the family.

Sunset on the

Nile

Sunrise


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And Their GardensAnd Their Gardens

Some families had a garden likeSome families had a garden like

people do today. The wealthiestpeople do today. The wealthiestfamilies had palm trees and ponds infamilies had palm trees and ponds in

their gardens, filled with Nile Rivertheir gardens, filled with Nile River

water courtesy of a small channel.water courtesy of a small channel.

The whole family would often go outThe whole family would often go out

and rest in the garden while servantsand rest in the garden while servantsfanned them.fanned them.


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And Their PartiesAnd Their Parties

Parties were usually reserved for theParties were usually reserved for the

wealthy.wealthy.They were not just enjoyed by adults. LotsThey were not just enjoyed by adults. Lotsof children would be there, and they wouldof children would be there, and they wouldhave much fun.have much fun.

The very best food was cooked at theseThe very best food was cooked at theseparties. The Ancient Egyptians wereparties. The Ancient Egyptians wereterrific hosts.terrific hosts.

The entertainment was most likely to beThe entertainment was most likely to beacrobats, performing animals, oracrobats, performing animals, ormusicians.musicians.


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And Family HuntingAnd Family Hunting

Hunting was a family activity.Hunting was a family activity.

One painting in a tomb shows a family,One painting in a tomb shows a family,sailing through weeds on a boat. Thesailing through weeds on a boat. Thefather stood at the bow, holding a stick tofather stood at the bow, holding a stick tohit a bird when it came by.hit a bird when it came by.

The most popularThe most popularweapons were lassos,weapons were lassos,

throwing sticks, andthrowing sticks, and

bows and arrows.bows and arrows.The peasants chasedThe peasants chased

after gazelle, oxen,after gazelle, oxen,

hares and ostriches.hares and ostriches.

Ancient Egyptian Hunters


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THE END

Ancient Egyptian Children

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