Jobs and Skills in Ancient Societies — Reading Comprehension
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Grades
6
7
8
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This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksheet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
This engaging history reading passage explores the roles and skills of farmers, artisans, merchants, and soldiers in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. Students will learn how these jobs contributed to the development of complex societies, how social hierarchy shaped daily life, and how geography influenced economic activities. The text highlights primary sources and archaeological findings, connects ancient work to broader historical themes, and supports key standards (CA HSS 6.2.2, RH.6-8.1). Included are a glossary, a Spanish translation, a simplified version, multiple-choice quiz, writing tasks, and graphic organizers. This passage is ideal for building analytical skills in world history and comes with read aloud audio and Spanish translation for accessibility.
"Ancient Egyptian Winnowers" by Norman de Garis Davies and Lancelot Crane / Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC0).
Throughout ancient civilizations, people developed specialized jobs and skills to support their communities. The division of labor helped societies like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece become more complex and organized. In these societies, most people were not rulers or priests, but ordinary individuals whose daily work kept the civilization running.
The majority of ancient people worked as farmers. In the fertile valleys of the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates, farmers grew crops such as wheat and barley. Archaeological evidence from Mesopotamia, dating back to around 3000 BCE, shows the use of irrigation canals and plows. These tools allowed farmers to increase food production, supporting larger populations. Farmers’ work was the foundation of the economy and enabled other jobs to develop. However, their lives were not easy. They depended on the rhythms of the seasons and were vulnerable to floods and droughts. In ancient Egypt, tomb paintings depict farmers working the land while scribes keep records of the harvest.
Another important group was artisans. Artisans were skilled workers who made pottery, tools, jewelry, and textiles. Their crafts required training and practice, often passed down through families. Artisans in ancient Greece, for example, created beautiful vases decorated with scenes from daily life and mythology. Archaeologists have found signed pots from Athens, showing that some artisans were proud enough of their work to claim credit. In Egypt, stonemasons built the pyramids and temples, while metalworkers in Mesopotamia made bronze weapons and tools. Artisans often lived in city neighborhoods and sometimes worked in teams on large projects.
Merchants played a key role in connecting ancient cities and regions. Merchants traded goods such as grain, wine, spices, and textiles across long distances. Evidence from the city of Ur in Mesopotamia includes clay tablets recording shipments and transactions, some written in cuneiform script. Ancient Phoenician merchants sailed the Mediterranean, spreading ideas and products. The success of merchants was closely tied to geography. For example, Egypt’s location along the Nile made river trade possible, while Greece’s many islands encouraged sea trade. Merchants often gained wealth and influence, but in many societies, they ranked below artisans and farmers in the social order.
Ancient soldiers protected their cities and expanded territory. In Sparta around 500 BCE, all free male citizens trained as soldiers, forming a powerful military society. In contrast, Egyptian soldiers were often farmers who served part-time during wars or emergencies. Archaeological finds, such as weapons and armor in burial sites, provide evidence of their importance. Soldiers’ skills included discipline, teamwork, and use of technology like chariots or bronze swords. Their efforts shaped the history and borders of ancient civilizations.
The jobs and skills of ancient societies were shaped by geography, technology, and social hierarchy. As civilizations grew, work became more specialized, leading to new inventions and economic systems. Over time, some jobs gained higher status, while others remained at the foundation of daily life. Studying these roles helps us understand how people adapted and cooperated to build the world’s first complex societies.
These patterns connect to broader themes in history, such as the rise of cities, the impact of technology, and the importance of cooperation and trade in building civilizations.
Interesting Fact: Ancient scribes, who recorded information for rulers and merchants, were among the few people who could read and write, making their skills especially valuable.
