Ancient Egypt had numerous professions, but not all were shortcuts to wealth and fame. Nevertheless, some individuals managed to carve out unique paths and achieve remarkable success.
Astrology
The Egyptians were not the inventors of astrology, the mystical system for predicting the future by observing the positions and movements of stars. However, they developed a highly sophisticated system of astrology that could predict the flooding of the Nile River with remarkable accuracy, almost correctly forecasting all annual flood events of this river.
According to archaeological discoveries, the Egyptians began practicing astrology during the Early Dynastic Period (3150 – 2686 BC). Initially, they established a system of constellations based on personal perspectives but later combined it with Greek astrology, using the twelve zodiac signs. The Temple of Esna near Luxor stands as a testament to this integration, showcasing the twelve zodiac signs in its decorative artifacts.
Egyptian records contain very few mentions of astrology as a profession, but all evaluations are notably positive. One of their recognized astrologers was Imhotep (2650 – 2600 BC). Coming from humble beginnings, Imhotep would not have had any opportunity for advancement in this class-conscious society. However, due to his astrological talents, he rose to the second-highest position in ancient Egypt, serving as the vizier and high priest, just below the pharaoh.
The second prominent astrologer was Claudius Ptolemaeus (100 – 178 AD). Of Greek descent, he lived and conducted research in Alexandria for most of his life. Ptolemaeus left behind a vast body of astronomical research known as the Great Astronomy (Ho megas astronomos), consisting of 13 volumes, recognized as an “encyclopedia of astronomy.”
Exorcism
Exorcism was an essential ritual in ancient Egyptian life. (Photo: Ancient-origins.net).
The ancient Egyptians believed in gods, spirits, and demons, placing particular importance on rituals, magic, and sacred texts. The most essential aspect of their rituals was magic, and the practitioners of magic were known as magicians.
The famous Italian philosopher and theologian, Titus Flavius Clemens (50 – 95 AD), once remarked, “Egypt is the mother of magicians.” Just as he observed, the lives of ancient Egyptians were deeply intertwined with exorcism activities.
From kings to commoners, everyone feared being afflicted by misfortune and was willing to sacrifice everything for purification to drive away evil spirits, demons, illnesses, and to seek good fortune.
Ancient Egyptian magicians utilized spells and incantations. While magic referred to the rituals and remedies, incantations were collections of phrases found in exorcism texts. Typically, magicians performed exorcisms while treating ailments, reciting incantations alongside specific actions, and ultimately prescribing remedies for their patients.
In addition to exorcisms, magicians also cast curses upon request. They were often hired to curse tombs to prevent grave robbing.
Record Keeping
The elite of ancient Egypt monopolized writing, leading to the early emergence of the record-keeping profession, which was highly regarded. Record keepers, regardless of their origins, were classified as part of the elite class, enjoyed privileges such as tax exemptions and relief from manual labor, and had access to this social tier.
The earliest evidence of record keeping likely comes from the Pyramid Texts (2700 – 2200 BC), a compilation of prayers, charms, and spells inscribed on the walls of a pharaoh’s pyramid. Archaeological records indicate that record keepers acted as secretaries for officials, responsible for documenting and managing construction project documents, tax records, census data, and more. In addition to writing, they also illustrated their records.
Wig Making
Every era has its concerns about baldness, and ancient Egypt was no exception. Although Egyptian society did not discriminate against the bald or shaven-headed individuals, everyone aspired to have healthy and beautiful hair. While Vietnamese people say, “hair is a person’s crown,” the Egyptians believed, “hairstyle reflects social status.” Only the upper class was permitted to wear wigs, and the style of the wig varied according to gender and rank.
Upper-class men and women wore long, elaborate wigs, often adorned with amulets made of gold or precious stones. Upper-class children wore shorter wigs with simpler decorations. The Egyptians also favored thick hair, often adding extensions or braiding additional hair into their wigs. For various festivals or social gatherings, they would change their hairstyles. Those with the means even altered their hairstyles daily.
With such a high demand for wigs, wig makers quickly became sought after. Wig-making shops proliferated, sourcing hair from humans and even horsehair to create wigs. Beeswax and resin were used to attach hair to fabric, skillfully styled and braided into beautiful and unique designs. For hair extensions, each strand was tied to real hair, while additional hair was braided into a single strand.
Besides signifying status, wigs also served as a hygienic solution for protecting the scalp, shielding it from the sun and preventing lice infestations.
Beer Brewing
The Egyptians brewed beer in large quantities since BC. (Photo: Historicaleve.com).
Beer was an indispensable beverage in the diet of ancient Egyptians. It was consumed not only during rituals and celebrations but also on a daily basis. On many construction sites, workers were paid with up to 5 liters of beer per day instead of cash.
If the Sumerians were the inventors of beer, the Egyptians perfected the art of brewing it. Through numerous experiments, they created a beer that was both rich in variety and sweet, delighting anyone who drank it. Archaeological findings suggest that their daily beer had a similar alcohol content and taste to modern brown ale. Ritual beer, on the other hand, had a higher alcohol content and flavors ranging from herbs to spices and fruits.
Even in ancient times, Egypt had beer producers capable of brewing on a large scale. With high demand, brewers could easily amass wealth. In 2018, archaeologists discovered the remains of a brewery dating back to 3150 BC. Estimates indicate that this brewery had a production capacity of 5,900 gallons per batch, equivalent to 22,330 liters.
