1.3 Overview of the social, political, military and economic structures of the Eighteenth Dynasty

Question 1

Social Structures 1

Answer 1

Increased number of foreigners residing permanently in Egypt 


Question 2

Social Structures 2

Answer 2

Establishment of ‘foreign quarters’ in major cities e.g Memphis

Question 3

Social Structure 3

Answer 3

Increased number of foreign princesses and concubines in royal harem e.g Mitannian, Babylonian, Syrian 


Question 4

Social Structure 4

Answer 4

Introduction of foreign gods and establishment of priesthoods, e.g Baal, Astarte 


Question 5

Social Struture 5

Answer 5

Incorporation of foreign elements into Egyptian names e.g Baal-Khepeshef

Question 6

Social Structure 6

Answer 6

Society structure:
1. Pharaoh: as both god and king was the supreme power in the land
2. Government officials: Eg. Vizier under whose authority the day-to-day organisation of the country was carried out
3. Soilders
4. Scribes
5. Merchants
6. Craftsmen
7. Farmers & slaves

Question 7

Political Structure 1

Answer 7

Increased number of co-regencies e.g Amenhotep III and Akhenaten, Akhenaten and Smenkhkare

Question 8

Political Structure 2

Answer 8

More prominent role played by queens in government, e.g Mutemweya, Tiye, Nefertiti

Question 9

Political Structure 3

Answer 9

Foreign policy based on diplomacy, political marriages and negotiation of alliances rather than constant campaigning (wars and invasions)

Question 10

Political Structure 4

Answer 10

Increased use of diplomatic correspondence to maintain links with foreign rulers e.g the Amarna Letters

Question 11

Political Structure 5

Answer 11

Relocation of capital from Thebes to Memphis and Akhetaten 


Question 12

Political Structure 6

Answer 12

Increased practice of appointing administrative officials from the army and from outside Thebes 


Question 13

Military Structure 1

Answer 13

Had a strict hierarchical organisation headed by the pharaoh, who was advised by a council made up of the vizier and the most senior military officers. The main divisions of the army were the infantry and the chariotry; there were other units, each with its own hierarchy of officers.

Question 14

Military Structure 2

Answer 14

Army leaders enjoyed high status and influence

Question 15

Military Structure 3

Answer 15

The military relied on scribes to keep records of weapons and equipment, campaigns, casualties, booty and prisoners

Question 16

Economic Structure 1

Answer 16

Increased wealth from trade and tribute 


Question 17

Economic Structure 2

Answer 17

Increased demand for foreign labor and resources 


Question 18

Economic Structure 3

Answer 18

The most important officials were the viziers of the north and the south. Answerable to them were the overseers of important departments such as the treasury and the granaries.

Question 19

Economic Structure 4

Answer 19

The Overseer of the Treasury was responsible for all taxation, which was paid in grain and cattle. This was stored in temple and state granaries for redistribution in the form of wages to state officials and workers.

Question 20

Economic Strucutre 5

Answer 20

The Overseer of the Granaries supervised a large network of scribes who kept detailed records of the intake, storage and distribution of grain and other supplies.