Life in ancient Egypt was very organised. The Egyptians were afraid of the chaos that existed before the world began. The only way to stop the chaos returning was through maat (order and balance). People knew their place in society.

Most men and women had little choice but to follow the same work that their parents did. For many of the poor in Egypt, this would mean that life would be hard and short.

Childhood was dangerous and brief and children became adults at an early age. Their working life began in their early teens. Whatever job they did, most Egyptians worked for the state. The pharaoh (king) and the temples owned most of the land and employed many people. For most women, work meant motherhood and running the home.

Ancient Egyptian society was divided between those who could read and write and those who could not.

In general, most people did not live as long as we do now. Ancient Egyptians saw life on earth as a temporary state of being because they believed in another perfect, everlasting life after death.