Written language is a class issue in ancient Egypt as most scribes were members of the upper class. As a result, the lower classes did not have the same access to reading and writing as the upper classes did. This article will look into how the lower classes learned to read and write in light of this social issue. It will first briefly discuss the status of literacy and how it was passed on from generation to generation before delving into details about how children and young adults learned to read and write in ancient Egypt.
Brief History Of Literacy In Ancient Egypt
Upper-class scribes had a monopoly on writing in ancient Egypt. This meant that most people had no access to written documents of any kind. The lower classes were not even supposed to know how to read and write. However, this changed around 300 BC when the Greek philosophers, particularly the Stoics, started emphasizing the importance of literacy and education. The new thinking began to permeate Egyptian society and even the upper classes started displaying a greater interest in teaching their lower-class children how to read and write. This eventually led to the creation of various private schools for the privileged and wealthy. This was especially beneficial for the females in the family as there were no schools available for girls at that time. So, they had to rely on private tutors for their education.
Why Were Schools Established In Ancient Egypt?
The upper classes in ancient Egypt did not require schools. Education was considered a preserve of the wealthy. However, the Greeks were a more scholarly lot and they firmly believed that everyone should have access to good education. This is why they established various schools and hired professional teachers to impart knowledge and learning to the masses. It was not just about finding a way to make money; they genuinely cared about the development of knowledge in general. The establishment of these schools was a bold step for the Greek philosophers in Egypt as it broke with the traditional thinking of the time. It also served as a subtle jab at the prevalent attitudes among the upper classes at the time who considered themselves to be the bearers of culture and learning.
The Creation Of A Literate Society
After the death of Alexander the Great, his lieutenant, Ptolemy II, inherited his empire. The new king took steps to continue the education and enlightenment initiatives of his master. He ordered the creation of a library at Alexandria and invited the best Greek and Roman scholars to come and teach. So, the seeds were planted for the creation of a learned society in Alexandria. This was the birth of the Egyptian Library, the most important cultural institution of the city. The library became a hub for teaching and learning not just in Alexandria but also in other Egyptian cities. It was in this cultural atmosphere that the young Herodotus and Thucydides studied and created the works that made them famous. The library officially functioned as a place for scholars to congregate and meet up, exchange ideas and read the works of their choosing. The books were organized according to the subjects covered in the teaching sessions and arranged in alphabetical order. This allowed the students to easily find the information they needed.
Reading And Writing Were Important
Reading and writing were considered a necessary part of education for the average person in ancient Egypt. It was not just about reciting the texts from memory as this was often done in folk schools, the ceremonial schools and even the royal schools. Students would have to take down the texts in writing and learn how to read and interpret the script. This was a considerable intellectual challenge for the young men and women of the day as there were no text-books or reference libraries to aid them in their studies. The only way for students to learn was through personal study and dedication and the help of their teachers. Fortunately, the students did not bear the burden of learning entirely on their own. Many of the most important educational figures from the Greek and Roman world made personal visits to the schools to discuss theories with the children and young adults. This was an important step towards the creation of a literate society and it allowed the lower classes to have a foothold in the arena of cultural progress.
What Did The Ancient Egyptians Learn From The Greeks?
The Greeks were a brilliant educational society and they imparted considerable learning to the people of ancient Egypt. The Greeks established gymnasia, or public spaces for education, in the form of theater and gymnastic arena. The purpose of the gymnasia was to provide young men and women with an intense learning experience and a platform from which to display their abilities. So, the ancient Egyptians not only learned to read and write but they had the opportunity to display their learning in a pavilion of culture and accomplishment. This interested the upper classes who saw the value in teaching a manual alphabet and encouraged their childless adult children to get their children educated. The young men and women of the day also learned to value knowledge and skills and became interested in continuing their education.
Did The Ancient Egyptians Continue The Greek Culture Of Learning?
The establishment of the Egyptian Library at Alexandria was a step towards the creation of a literate society in Ancient Egypt. However, it was not just a library. It was a cultural center for the upper and lower classes. The upper classes frequented the library while the lower classes came to congregate in the gymnasia to learn from a class of performers. The young men and women learned not just to read and write but they also learned how to think critically and analyze facts and figures. This is how the lower classes learned to read and write as it was not just a matter of teaching them to read and write but also of encouraging them to learn how to think. This was the birth of a more intellectually challenging society who became interested in continuing their education and wanted to pass on this intellectual gift to their children.
What Does The Creation Of A Literate Society Mean?
The creation of a literate society in ancient Egypt means that everyone has the opportunity to learn to read and write. It also means that everyone is accountable for learning how to read and write. The upper classes were the primary group responsible for instilling reading and writing in the lower classes. However, this does not mean that the upper classes were the only ones who could teach them how to read and write. Many of the most important educational figures from the Greek and Roman world made personal visits to the schools to discuss theories with the children and young adults. These visits provided important pedagogical value and helped to inculcate the values of culture, learning and progress in the young men and women of the day.