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Working in Ancient Egypt: 5 Interesting Professions
Ancient Egyptian civilization was complex, stratified, and highly organized. Specialized professions quickly emerged to allow for the division of labor and the development of expertise, leading to advancement and expansion. There was a great variety of jobs in ancient Egypt from laborers to high priests. There were also professions that might seem unusual today, but were integral to life in ancient Egypt. Below are five of the more interesting professions from the ancient Egyptian world.
1. Astrologer
Wall painting of the zodiac sign Sagittarius, Temple of Esna (near Luxor), c. 40-250 CE. Source: Smithsonian Magazine.
While many Egyptologists don’t think the earliest Egyptians practiced astrology as we know it today, there is a consensus that they did believe that star alignments and constellations influenced life on earth. It is well-known that ancient Egyptians developed a sophisticated system of astronomy and used it to predict the annual inundation of the Nile River.
The ancient Egyptians had their own constellations, which may have been used for astrological purposes. With the arrival of the Greek in the 4th century BCE, they learned about Greek astrology, which uses the 12 zodiac signs familiar from modern Western astrology. The Egyptians combined this with their native astronomical knowledge and became respected astrologers. Construction of the Temple of Esna near Luxor began in the 3rd century BCE and features the 12 signs of the zodiac among its decorations.
There are few records of professional astrologists in early Egyptian history, but the few that are documented were highly regarded. Born during the 27th century BCE, Imhotep was an architect, astrologer, and chief minister to Djoser, the second king of Egypt’s third dynasty. Born as a commoner, Imhotep rose to become Djoser’s most important advisor, and oversaw the construction of the king’s tomb at Saqqara.
Another major contributor to Egyptian astrology was Claudius Ptolemaeus, better known as Ptolemy. An astronomer, writer, and mathematician of Greek descent, Ptolemy lived and worked in the great city of Alexandria during the 2nd century CE. Ptolemy was a firm believer in the legitimacy of astrology and composed extensive written works on the subject.
2. Exorcist
Reliefs depicting demons guarding a gate from the tomb of Menekhibenekau at the necropolis of Abusir, c. 688-525 BCE. Source: Archaeology, Archaeological Institute of America.
Ancient Egyptians believed in the existence of deities, spirits, and demons. They gave great importance to rituals, spells, and sacred texts as forms of protection from evil, disease, and misfortune. Magic was an essential part of healing rituals performed by specialist priests and trained exorcists.
While many of these rituals were intended to invoke blessings from the gods, they were primarily used to ward off evil spirits, or demons, who caused disease and misfortune. Exorcists relied on a collection of spells and incantations known as Execration Texts to expel these evil spirits.
Stone inscribed in hieratic text with a tomb warning from Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, c. 1295-1069 BCE. Source: National Museums Scotland.
Dating back to the Old Kingdom, Execration Texts served many purposes. They were sometimes used as curses for potential tomb robbers or were intended to thwart Egypt’s enemies during times of war.
3. Scribe
Pyramid Text from the pyramid of Teti, the first pharaoh of the 6th dynasty, c. 2323-2291 BCE. Source: Daily News Egypt.
The earliest reference to scribes in ancient Egypt was found in the Pyramid Texts, a collection of mortuary prayers, charms, and spells inscribed on pyramid walls to aid the king in the afterlife. Dating back to the Old Kingdom, the Pyramid Texts are the oldest Egyptian religious writings that have been recovered.
Scribes were very highly regarded in ancient Egypt, and were instrumental in administrative, religious, and trade activities. In ancient Egypt’s stratified society, scribes were allowed into the upper class and had access to wealth and privilege. Other advantages granted to the profession included the exemption from taxes and manual labor.
Statue of a seated scribe, c. 2600-2350 BCE. Source: Louvre, Paris.
Scribes helped to manage tax records, censuses, and construction projects among other administrative operations. Some also wrote religious texts and continued their training to become priests and advisors. Specialized scribes painted images and text on the inside of royal tombs and temples and created important written works like the Book of the Dead. Scribes learned their craft in specialized schools, sometimes continuing their training in apprenticeships.
4. Wig Maker
Quartzite head of Amenhotep III wearing a round wig, c. 1390-1352 BCE. Source: Cleveland Museum of Art.
For millennia, people of all cultures have used hair as a canvas for self-expression, and the ancient Egyptians were no exception. Hairstyles reflected social status, gender, and stages in life. Thanks to well-preserved tomb paintings and carvings, we are able to determine how Egyptians used hairstyles to represent their place in society.
High ranking officials, kings, and pharaohs wore wigs, with men keeping their natural hair short or shaven and women typically growing their hair long. While both men and women of the upper class wore wigs, Egyptians outside of the elite class were depicted with their natural hair.
Elite men and women typically wore longer, elaborate wigs, sometimes adorned with gold or gem amulets. Junior members of the household, specifically sons, usually wore short, simple wigs, while women of all classes usually had longer hair. Ancient Egyptians also used hair extensions to add volume to their hairstyles.
These wigs and extensions were made in specialized shops from human or horsehair, with beeswax and resin used to secure the hair to fabric. Extensions were attached to hair by way of knots, threads, or braids. Ceremonial wigs were often more elaborate, with palm fiber used to give greater volume to the crown.
Wigs were worn according to occasion, and they were created in different styles that were deemed appropriate for either everyday wear, social gatherings, festivities, or rituals. Given the expense, this variety was only accessible to the elite class.
Wigs were also considered to be beneficial to hygiene and offer protection from the often-harsh climate of ancient Egypt. It was easier to keep hair clean, protect the scalp from the sun, and avoid pests such as lice.
5. Beer Brewer
Ceramic beer jar recovered from Esna, Egypt, c. 1650-1550 B.C.E. Source: British Museum, London.
To the ancient Egyptians, beer was an essential part of their diet. So much so that it was regarded as a nutritious food. Beer was consumed during rituals, celebrations, and on an everyday basis. Pyramid workers were even paid in beer – as much as five liters per day.
While the Sumerians were the actual inventors of beer, the ancient Egyptians are credited with perfecting the art of brewing. Mesopotamian beer was thick and soupy, and one had to drink it through a straw. Through practice and experimentation, Egyptians created a lighter, smoother beer that was easier to drink and enjoy.
Like modern brews, Egyptian beers were classified by flavor and strength, with an average alcohol content of about three to four percent, and a wide variety of flavorings including herbs, spices, and fruit. Beer consumed during ceremonies or celebrations was typically of a superior quality and higher alcohol content. Everyday beer is thought to have been slightly sweet, much like a modern brown ale.
Stela of Renefseneb depicting an offering of bread and beer, found near Thebes, c. 1765-1763 BCE. Source: British Museum, London.
Beer was continuously made in most Egyptian households, but there were brewers’ shops and large-scale breweries to keep up with a growing demand in cities. Brewers had their own specialties, producing everyday beers, ceremonial brews, and high quality, custom beers for the elite and royal households.
In the early 20th century, archaeologist T. Eric Peet discovered a site that he initially thought was used to dry and safely store grain. In 2018, the site was rediscovered and excavated, uncovering what turned out to be the oldest large-scale brewery in the world. Located at a funerary site in Abydos, the brewery is believed to date to around 3150 BCE.
Vessels discovered at the Abydos brewery, c. 3150 BCE. Source: BBC.
Researchers believe that this brewery supplied the elite and royal households with ceremonial beer consumed at rituals inside the funerary structures at Abydos. It is estimated that this brewery produced as much as 5,900 gallons at a time.
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