Daily+Life

Clare Beck

Egyptians lived a much different life then we live today, but yet very similar. They were hardworking and determined people. They strived in making new inventions to make their life easier in the scorching desert. Men and woman went out of their way to care for their family. Providing food, water, clothing, housing and other necessities, they worked all day. Children were always busy, too. They were taught well to strive in their future of their parents. Egyptians may not have lived a fabulous life in ancient Egypt, but they certainly thrived in making their hard life the best it could be.

It was important to Egyptions to appear clean. Since it was around one hundred degrees in the desert, **//Egyptians kept light clothing and other necessities to make the desert seem less humid.//** Men and woman fought the need to wear much clothing, and usually kept most of their body bare throughout the day. Younger children didn't wear clothing, and older children took after the adults. Almost every Egyptian had shoes, but were never worn until parties or other special events. Tan skin was also the culture of Egyptians, but sunscreen was used commonly to avoid blisters. Sun screen was blended with water, and different kinds of leaves. Eyes were always black, and hair brown. Women kept hair very long and was worn either down, braided, or in pigtails. Young boys wore side backs, which half their hair was shaved. Men usually kept hair bald, or long and braided. Wealthy Egyptians wore wigs. **//Makeup was also commonly used for men and women.//** It was believed to clear the mind and cleanse the face. Jewelry was also believe to please spirits and send away sin.

Being one of the most important chores, Egyptians made daily trips to the market in their city-state. Food was one of the most commonly sold things in markets. There were wide food selections like bread, fruit, vegetables and rice. **Bread was most common**, and more than thirty types were sold at markets. Sometimes tropical fruits were sold at Egyptian markets, which was very rare. **//Meat was expensive and was usually only served at special occasions.//** No need for silverware, all Egyptians eat with their fingers! An Egyptian also could also go to the market to shop for purses, wigs, clothing, shoes, and pets. Since crime could be a problem, baboons we're kept at the gate of the market to keep away the thieves.

Housing usually wasn't independent like it is today. **Instead of one family living in a house, many families were crowded into a small one room.** If an Egyptian were wealthy, they might have a two story house. Wealthy families also had many different kinds of furniture, while poor probably didn't have any. The poor envied the rich for having such rich goods and housing. **//Almost every house owned a cat, because they were considered luck from the Pharaohs.//** If an Egyptian wanted protection or a good hunting companion, dogs were a good choice. Farm animals were kept inside houses if an Egyptian had some. They traded many of their farm animals with other city-states. Hunting was also very popular in which many men enjoyed. You needed a horse, spears and arrows to go hunting. The children were given the job to take care of the animals like feeding, bathing, or exercising. In free time children would play games, put on shows, or tell stories. Egyptian toys were handmand dolls, balls, tops, animal toys, and board games. School was also required for children. Poor children only attended school four years. The wealthy children attended from the ages four to fourteen. In the family the mother was responsible for the childrens manners. The father was responsible for providing money to his family. Docters were very important in Egypt. They would cure the sick by chanting spells. They were so skilled they even preformed brain surgury. **Egyptians usually only lived to the age of fourty.**

Egyptians worked very hard to become successful people. They strived to make their lives as simple as possible. Our hectic lives today may benefit from taking some lessons from Ancient Egyptians.

Deurer, Richard "Daily life for Egyptians" http://library.thinkquest.org 1996 


 * Hart, George. Ancient Egypt. New York: Darling Kindersly, 2000