Ancient Egypt for Kids
House of Life

The House of Life was an educational center. It was the place in each ancient Egyptian town of size where the rich sent their children to learn a top profession. The House of Life was where priests learned to read and write, where scribe school was held, where medical school was held, hwere the interpretatin of dreams was taught, and the place where the children of the rich and the elite went to school to learn economics, law, astronomy, geography, mathematics. 

Advanced schools were held in the House of Life, which was usually attached to the temple. People came to pray to the temple gods. They came to temples to gossip and to learn. Temples in ancient Egypt were busy places. Temples were used for a great many community activities. The women came every day with offerings of food and goods they had made. Most stayed to chat with the other women who had stopped by. A room in the temple was offered to visiting guests, rather like a hotel room. Grain was stored there so that it could be shared with whomever needed it. Regular school classes were held i the temples Advanced school classes were held in the House of Life, a building usually attached to the temple.

Scholars and students at the House of Life made copies of the Book of Dead, a very large stack of magical spells, and offered these spells for sale to support the center. School was not free. Monies and goods flowed from the very rich, who paid for their children to attend school.  

Egyptian Ankh

Book of the Dead

Scribe School

The House of Books

Education in Ancient Egypt

Interactive Quiz about Ancient Egypt (with answers)