Social Classes During Life in Ancient Egypt Ancient Egyptian society was divided into various social classes based on wealth, status, and occupation. The social classes can be broadly categorized into two: the ruling class and the common people. The ruling class consisted of pharaohs, the royal family, high priests, and nobility. The pharaohs were considered gods on earth and were at the top of the social hierarchy. The royal family supported the pharaohs and held high-ranking positions, including advisors, generals, and priests. High priests served in temples and were responsible for conducting religious ceremonies and communicating with the gods. The nobility held high government and military positions and were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and protecting the country’s borders. The common people were the majority of the population and were divided into various classes. At the bottom of the social hierarchy were the slaves who were mostly prisoners of war and criminals. Above the slaves were the farmers who cultivated the land and produced crops to feed the entire population. The craftsmen and artisans were skilled workers who created goods such as pottery, jewelry, and furniture. The merchants were traders who carried out business transactions and exchanged goods with other countries. The scribes were the educated class who could read and write and held high positions in government and religious institutions. The scribes were a highly respected social class in ancient Egypt and played important roles in government and religion. They were responsible for keeping records, writing legal documents, and communicating with the gods through writing. Scribes received extensive training and education and were often seen as the intellectual elite of ancient Egyptian society. Overall, social classes in ancient Egypt were hierarchical, with the ruling class at the top and the common people at the bottom. Social class influenced every aspect of an individual’s life, from occupation to religion, and marriage partners were often chosen based on social class compatibility. Despite this, there was some social mobility within certain social classes, and talented individuals could rise to positions of prominence.