1. Social Classes of the Ancient World
6th Grade
Social Studies

2. Social Structure, Pyramid, Classes or Hierarchy
Important component of a civilization is its social organization.
Consists of the way the people are divided into different social groups, and also the way of life of the people such as their means of living, entertainment and so on.
Organisation of people can be referred to as social classes, structure, hierarchy or pyramid.
Insert a map of your country.

3. Social Structure, Pyramid, Classes or Hierarchy
Social hierarchy in the different ancient civilizations was fairly similar.
People were generally divided into 4 or 5 social classes.
Nobles and priests were generally the highest rank.
Nobles and priests enjoyed higher status as they were important rulers of the country and leaders of the society.
Slaves and outcasts were the lowest rank.
Insert a picture of one of the geographic features of your country.

4. Leaders … Pharaoh, Emperor, Brahmin, King
Highest level of the social structure was often gained by family relationships, by force or due to religious beliefs.
A leader was often considered god-like and looked upon favourably by the gods.
The leader controlled all aspects of life in the society.
Insert a picture illustrating a season in your country.

5. Priests
A priest was an important person in the society and belonged to the highest social class.
A priest had the job of carrying out religious ceremonies in temples and writing sacred books.
Priests taught other priests the method of keeping ancient calendars, how to cure the sick, write with hieroglyphs, study the stars and record what they understood, and predict the future.
These people pursued intellectual studies so that they would be wise and knowledgeable.
They were respected by the people.
Insert a picture of an animal and or plant found in your country.

6. Men vs. Women
In the past, women have been generally regarded as inferior to men in many societies.
This can be seen through the way women were treated in society, having few rights and very little freedom, and being subservient to their husbands. They were regarded as not only mentally inferior to men but also physically inferior.
Interestingly enough in ancient Egypt, women, had almost as many rights as men.
Insert a picture illustrating a custom or tradition here.

7. Farmers Insert a picture of the head leader of your country.
In ancient Egypt, India, China and Mesopotamia, the people survived on agriculture. They planted crops like maize, wheat and barley along the fertile banks of rivers, such as the River Nile for the Egyptians and the River Tigris and Euphrates for the Sumerians of Mesopotamia.
Domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats were also raised to provide food and hides.
The rivers also provided the people with fish for food.
Insert a picture of the head leader of your country.

8. Surplus of Food
A surplus of food meant that there was more food for more people, as it was possible to grow many different types of crops on a single piece of land.
This resulted in the development of settlements and ultimately the building of cities.
As more food became available, this meant that more people could be fed, which led to increasing populations.
With more people in the society, there were more people available for different kinds of work, and this resulted in the development of more sophisticated social systems.
Insert a picture that illustrates some part of your country’s economy.