Social, Political, and Religious Order in Egypt

and MesopotamiaBy K. Mak

For Mr. Haskvitz

Egyptian Order: Pharaoh• The Pharaoh was the “god” of Egypt.• He was at the top of the social triangle.• The King was worshipped and given a god-like

status such as not being able to look him into the eye, touching him, and kneeling in his presence.

• Many people believed that the pharaoh himself had descended from Ra, the Sun God, which was one of the most important gods in Egypt.

• Even after he was dead, his status of King remained so.

• People worshipped the dead Pharaohs.

Egyptian Order: Priests• Priests lead religious rites to promote the belief

of the Pharaoh having a god-like status.• Because of their high status, they owned plenty

of land and many herds.• They were also extremely wealthy due to their

high status.• Thousands of servants were in their possession.• Priests were the only ones who could go to the

inner temples in times of trouble.• This way, the gods could give assistance to the

people.

Egyptian Order: Peasants

• Peasants and farmers made up as much as 80% of the population in Egypt.

• They were at the bottom of the social pyramid.

• During flood seasons, farmers would work on buildings needed for the government and the pharaoh.

• They were the largest workforce before slaves came into play.

Mesopotamian Order

• Mesopotamian religion brought the first myths to the world.

• Taimat and Abzu, the two gods that rose from the Chaos of Water, created all the other gods.

• Together, they formed a council on how to rule the world, known as the Annunaki.

• The gods bound the people together in separate social groups and provided them with what they needed to survive.

Mesopotamia Order

• The Sumerians believed that if you had celebrations and honors exclusively for them, they would offer help to the people.

• Therefore, the priest class was born.

Mesopotamian Order

• The gods determine the destinies of king, state, country, men and mankind.

• The Kings were believed to have descended from the city gods, but unlike Egypt, they were not actually considered real gods.

Ziggurats

• Ziggurats were built for the Gods of Mesopotamia.

• They were to worship the God of Heaven and the God of Earth.

• The practice of building ziggurats over other ziggurat ruins was very popular.

Assessment

1. Who did the pharaoh descend from?2. Why did priests have religious ceremonies?3. Why was the priest class of Mesopotamia created?4. Who were the Sumerian Kings supposedly descendants of?5. What is the difference between the status of the kings of

Egypt and Mesopotamia?6. What council did Abzu and Taimat form?7. What was the purpose of the council?8. Why were priests so wealthy in Ancient Egypt?9. Who was the largest work force in Ancient Egypt?

Answers

1. Ra, the Sun god2. To promote the belief of the pharaoh as god.3. To help celebrate the Gods of Mesopotamia.4. The city gods.5. Egyptians believed that their pharaoh was an

actual god, while Mesopotamians did not actually consider their king a god.

6. The Annunaki.7. They helped bound the people together in

separate social groups and provided them with what they needed to survive.

8. Their high status granted them many things including wealth.

9. Peasants and farmers.