A special class in ancient Egypt, scribes are highly respected people who were distinguished by their education, ability to understand the most difficult writing - hieroglyphs. It was their responsibility to keep records of everything from the erection of majestic monuments to the collection of taxes. Let's get acquainted with what the scribes were like.
Definition
Ancient Egypt is one of the most interesting states of past eras, many of the secrets of which are not unraveled to this day. However, scientists managed to learn a lot about what constituted a society of the country of the pyramids. Scribes - this is one of the class structures of Egypt, their responsibilities included not only writing and reading texts already written, but also maintaining all types of records. Largely thanks to the work of these educated men (less often - women), papyrus scrolls have come down to us, allowing us to understand the features of the life of a mysterious civilization.
This profession was respected, scribes were not obliged to pay taxes, did not serve in the army, were considered part of the courtyard of the pharaoh himself, which was very prestigious.
The scribe in the east was also called a harpedonapt or hierogramme.
Occupation
Consider what the scribes did:
- They wrote down the decrees of the king.
- Keep records of tax collection.
- A population census was conducted.
- They were engaged in rewriting ancient texts.
- Served as library keepers.
- They were secretaries.
- They were engaged in accounting for crops, animals, food, compiled detailed registers.
Also, the duties of the scribes included the recording of stories heard from strangers. Often, it was scribes who were addressed by people who did not know how to write in order to compile a petition. Such services were provided at an additional cost.
Post Features
We learned that scribes are highly respected people, representatives of the Egyptian nobility. We highlight a number of features of this occupation:
- The title did not inherit. To become a scribe, it was necessary to study well for a long time. However, the sons of the scribes were more likely, since from childhood they received the necessary education and were preparing to take a place next to their father.
- Women could occupy this prestigious position, but little information has reached us about female scribes.
- The gods - the patrons of scribes - are He, the deity of wisdom (often depicted with the head of an ibis or a baboon) and Seshat - the patroness of writing and writing.
- The post was so highly valued in ancient Egypt that the word “scribe” had its own character: a writing tool, a palette.
The post has existed since the time of the Old Kingdom and at all times played a key role in the history of the country of the pyramids.
Description of the scribe
Papyrus has come down to our days, which gives an idea of how the ideal scribe looked and behaved:
- He was well dressed.
- Hardworking and responsible, work does not tire him.
- Can skillfully lead the actions of others.
- It is respected and respected.
He did not do strenuous physical work and could afford to eat well. Some very competent representatives of the estate spoke ancient languages.
Image of scribes in art
The art of the ancient Egyptians was built on strict observance of the canons, so it is not surprising that there is a clear tendency to depict scribes:
- Sculptures of these literate people sit.
- Their legs are crossed.
- On his knees is a scroll of papyrus.
Among the most famous creations of the masters of the country of the pyramids should be attributed a 53-centimeter statue of the scribe Kai, made of limestone and covered with paint. The appearance of this sculpture dates back to about 2500 BC. e. Now it is stored in the Louvre. Features of the statue are as follows:
- Typical scribe posture: sitting with legs tightened.
- Rhinestone and ebony were used to inlay the eyes.
- The author tried to convey a portrait resemblance, while the scribe's black eyes were sharp and attentive.
- The lips of the statue are tightly compressed.
A fact is known: when they discovered the sculpture of Kai, the workers experienced genuine horror, because because of the sharp look and the darkness reigning in the tomb, it seemed to them that they saw a living person.
The specifics of education in ancient Egypt
The opportunity to gain knowledge in the country of the pyramids was not available to everyone, only the children of nobles and nobles close to the pharaoh had the opportunity to receive education. Children of artisans and peasants from childhood helped their parents and, as a rule, continued their fate. However, there were no gender differences: noble boys and girls had equal rights.
The key objective of the training was to prepare for the profession inherent in the student’s family members. So, a child from a warrior family most often comprehended the basics of military affairs. Scribes are also the same - the position was not inherited, but the children of these wise and educated people from childhood studied hieroglyphic writing and mathematics.
In the era of the Ancient Kingdom, schools of scribes had not yet appeared, knowledge was passed from father to son. If the child was unable to learn, the scribe could choose a student. Later specialized institutions were established where children were trained.
Where did the scribes study?
The training was conducted at the School of scribes, which were located at the royal or noble court or at the temple. How was the training?
- Pupils were forced to rewrite texts several times, many of which painted the charms of the scribe profession.
- Solve math problems.
- Engaged in music and geography, medicine and astronomy.
The age of students embarking on the acquisition of knowledge was 5 years.
The lessons were held for a long time, students learned the basics from early morning to late evening. Unscrupulous and lazy people were severely punished. In one of the texts that have reached us, it is indicated that a negligent student could be punished with a whip from the skin of a hippo.
Education specifics
Those who graduated from the school of scribes possessed a wide range of knowledge necessary for their future activities:
- They knew at least 700 hieroglyphs.
- We were able not only to write and read beautifully, but to draw up business documents.
- They knew the secular style (it helped to work with papers) and the statutory style (used in religious texts).
The training was conducted sequentially: first, the students memorized the hieroglyphs themselves and their meaning, then they learned to correctly formulate thoughts. Finally, comprehended the basics of eloquence. To become scribes, students from early childhood were obliged to abandon many entertainments and devote all their free time to learning.
After leaving school, the scribe needed to find a good place for himself. The surviving text advises these young people to act like this: not to argue with their boss, to agree with him in everything. This is the only way to achieve stability, high income and social status.
How and what did they work
Some information has come down to this day that allows us to understand who the scribes are in Egypt and how they worked:
- They had to write on sheets of papyrus.
- The work was carried out using a reed brush.
- Not only black was known, but also red, blue and green colors. Coal, ocher and crushed minerals diluted with water were used for their manufacture.
- Still necessary attributes of the scribe are a small wooden cup in which water was poured, and a plate with recesses in which paints were placed.
It is known that most often scribes used black, only the main phrases stood out in red.
Role and significance
The scribes were an educated class of Ancient Egypt, it was thanks to their work that they managed to preserve knowledge and pass it on to the next generation. For us, their work is especially important, since it is papyri that gives researchers valuable material to understand how the representatives of ancient civilization lived. Finally, these educated ministers of the pharaohs wrote down decrees, dealt with accounting, that is, they played a crucial role in the development of the country and its management. Often they worked in libraries, copied the oldest documents, helping to save them for posterity.
So, scribes are a special category of inhabitants of the country of the pyramids, which was held in high esteem and respect. Many dreamed of becoming one of the scribes, but few managed to get an education and understand the science of hieroglyphic writing. The ancient Egyptians valued their scribes, which is why we got the names of many of them, and a detailed description of the teaching system.