The priestly caste in ancient Egypt
Brief introduction to the priestly caste of ancient Egypt
The priestly caste formed the real backbone of ancient Egypt. The "hem netjer," the servants of god, were the keepers of traditions, knowledge and magical secrets. In addition to the religious aspects, the priests were in charge of teaching, astronomy, astrology, medicine and every bureaucratic aspect, including taxes, for the smooth running of the state machine. The high priest was often also Pharaoh's chief minister and second only to him who, at least nominally, was the "god" (hem) head of the clergy. The priestly class was divided into various ranks and offices were hereditary. They enjoyed numerous exemptions and privileges and each Temple had its own "treasury" of land, livestock and lay employees which, for the Temple of Amun at Thebes - according to the Harris Papyrus - gave, in the New Kingdom, these figures: 2,393 sq. km of land, 421,362 head of livestock and 86,496 employees! (This also makes it clear why Achenaton decided to leave for Tell el Amarna.)
There were four higher priestly grades: from the high priest to the purifiers, then the scribes, the specialists in distinguishing the pompous days from the nefarious ones, the singers and musicians, the dancers and dancers, etc. Accurately shaven, they wore only white linen robes (the high priest also wore a leopard skin on his robe, which suggests, since this was certainly not a common animal in Egypt at that time, that the tradition has much older origins), were circumcised and washed at least four times a day. They served in the Temple only one quarter of the year; for the rest, they mingled with the common people (long vacations, in short). There were also female priestesses, but these were mainly in charge of music and dancing, essential components of the various religious rites.
The priests' duties also included those of ablution, dressing and "making up" the statues of the gods. Then there were also the "readers" the "ritualists," etc., and many other specializations. Education was entrusted to them in all degrees of knowledge, such as medicine. The Komombo Temple is even divided into two sections: one for religious rites and one with hospital functions.
Keepers of the "sacred texts," since scribes were an integral part of their hierarchy, they were the only ones who could read and write and, therefore, the entire organization of the state was in their hands. A power that at times even managed to threaten and overwhelm Pharaoh's own authority. In short, the church state did not invent anything!
