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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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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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Ancient Egyptian ChildrenAncient Egyptian Children
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