A classic study of daily life in ancient Egypt,
Everyday Life in Egypt in the Days of Ramesses the Great
is the masterwork of the dean of modern Egyptologists, Pierre Montet. Renowned for its accuracy and scope, this book conveys the richness and complexity of ancient Egyptian life.
The book focuses on the era of the great builders at Karnak and Luxor, the Ramesside kings (ca. 1314-1090 B.C.) and surveys both upper and lower Egypt to give a comprehensive picture of pharaonic society. Montet combines studies of monuments and tombs with data from pictorial and literary sources, including papyrus documents, to depict the experiences of royalty, priests, urban artisans and professionals, peasants and slaves. Here, too, are colorful descriptions of dwelling places, seasonal activities, holiday observances, family life, travel, justice, warfare, and the rites of burial—all enhanced by Montet's appreciation for the ancient Egyptian way of life.