Ancient Egypt for Kids
The Vizier

Each pharaoh had an army, a police force, and a huge number of ministers and government officials to help him rule the country. The most important of these helpers was Pharaoh's right hand man, his Vizier.

The Vizier received reports from every top official every day. Every night, the Vizier gave Pharaoh a concise report on what was happening all over Egypt.

The ancient Egyptians did have a court system. There was a lower court and a high court. The lower court was made up of a group of elders in each town. The supreme high court judge was Pharaoh, who assigned his Vizier to this job, to hear the case and act as judge. If you did not like the decision of the lower court, you could come before the Vizier on a first come, first served basis, and present your case again. Even though the Vizier tried to be fair, it was not smart to come before the Vizier unless your case was serious, and you had evidence to show that the lower court's decision was in error because the Vizier's decision was final. You could end up in more trouble than you were in already by demanding to have your case heard in the high court.

The Vizier could also decide on occasion to check out a story, rumor, legend, or myth himself. 

The Vizier was the most important person in all of ancient Egypt, except of course, for Pharaoh.

Law and the Legal System in Ancient Egypt

Government in Ancient Egypt

The Red Slippers - A Cinderella Story from Ancient Egypt (or The Vizier Steps In)