Social life in ancient Egypt / by W.M. Flinders Petrie.

  • Petrie, W. M. Flinders (William Matthew Flinders), 1853-1942.
Date:
1923
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Social life in ancient Egypt / by W.M. Flinders Petrie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The townsmen who were artificers and mechanics were strictly forbidden to change their occupations, the theory being that pro¬ ficiency was reached best by keeping to one business ; but another motive may be seen, in the statement that they must not meddle in civil affairs. This, again, though as late as Strabo, seems evidently to be an early regulation to keep political power in official hands. It accords with the ancient contempt for the countryman, the subject of many satirical sketches in tomb scenes. At the present day, the official class, down to the petty clerk, look on the fellah as only fit to be plundered ; any injustice or wrong is no matter, “ he is only a fellah,’5 and therefore at the mercy of any official, without regard or redress. Though there was a large class of free cultivators, it is probable that the skilled handwork was long the speciality of trained artists in the nobles’ establishments. There was no large middle class to create a demand; the noble and his household were supplied with fine work within the domain ; the farmer, as at present, was not a purchaser of more than necessaries. There was no rich merchant class, for trade within the country was slight, and abroad it was probably in foreign hands. Thus the free artificer who looked for open business had little opportunity. The official