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Towns and Cities
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Egypt was a farming country, but it also had large cities, like Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom. Cities often began as religious centres. Thebes, the greatest city of the New Kingdom, included the huge temples of Karnak and Luxor.
Ordinary people lived in plain, simple houses made of mud bricks, which looked very much like houses in Egyptian villages today. They had high walls and small windows, without glass. Because of the heat, they were designed to keep sunlight out.
(A) THE PALACE
The palace and the great temples were the centre of Egyptian life. The kings palace was also the heart of the government.
(B) A TEMPLE
The temples were the largest buildings. As well as the sanctuary (the home of the god), the temples contained libraries, workshops, granaries, and storerooms.
(C) A GREAT CITY
Today, little remains of the cities of ancient Egypt. But archaeologists have shown us how the city of Thebes looked 3,000 years ago.
(D) HOME AND GARDEN
Rich people lived in houses with walled gardens. In the gardens there were fruit trees.
(E) LIFE AT THE TOP
Houses had flat roofs and in the evening people often gathered there because it was cooler.
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
The Egyptians
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Section:
Ancient Egypt
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Chapter:
Towns and Cities
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