For forty centuries, flourished on the shoresNile is one of the most powerful states of that era - Ancient Egypt. His culture laid the foundation for the development of the whole world civilization, and the system of government became a model for many subsequent monarchies. The rulers, who during their lifetime were considered gods, created a harmonious and rational vertical of power, which allowed them to control all aspects of the life of their people with maximum efficiency.
The highest levels of government
Структура управления Древнего Египта представляла is a complex system, which was based on a strict hierarchy, which provided for unconditional obedience to a higher boss. It was a kind of pyramid, at the top of which was placed the "godlike" ruler - Pharaoh. All state power was concentrated in his hands.
But governing the state alone wasis impossible. One step below was Jati, the supreme dignitary, Pharaoh’s closest assistant. For four thousand years of ancient Egyptian history, the official functions of this official have undergone significant changes.
Duties of the High Assistant
If at first he was the high priest of the capital,who, in addition to communicating with the gods, was charged with the management of the household of Pharaoh, then over time his field of activity expanded considerably. These energetic and enterprising people have concentrated in their hands the management of all the affairs of the state.
Pharaoh's supreme helper in ancient Egypt,bathing in the glory of his sun-like sovereign, he had, like him, unlimited power. It is not difficult to guess that this position was occupied by the closest relatives of Pharaoh or, as an exception, the most dexterous and titled representatives of the higher aristocratic families. Over time, the term "jati" was supplanted by the Arabic word "vizier", but this did not cause any significant changes in the life of a senior official.
Preserved documents in detailthe powers of the jati-vizir are listed. Among them are such important duties as the issuance of laws, promotion in the ranks, the establishment of the boundaries of the territories belonging to large landowners, as well as police functions. As chairman of the six judicial chambers operating in ancient Egypt, he exercised control over this side of state life.
Downstream officials: function and job title
The closest assistants to Pharaoh were three.They formed the next level of the job ladder and were the elite of society. Their names are found on the walls of ancient temples. By seniority, Pharaoh’s closest assistants were the treasurer, the head of the works, and the manager of the “house of arms.” The scope of each of them was strictly limited. The treasurer was in charge of all movable and immovable property of the state. His duties included control over the strict implementation of all economic decrees of Pharaoh and tax collections.
Название должности ближайших помощников фараона, who stood on the same level with the treasurer, fully reveals the essence of their activities. The head of the work was responsible for the serviceability of irrigation and irrigation systems, which in a hot arid climate was a very important function, and the manager of the “house of arms” was engaged in the material support of the army.
The administrative apparatus of past centuries
Written monuments of the time testifyabout what the nobles did in the service of Pharaoh. One of the most common forms of their activity was participation in all sorts of councils and meetings. They sat on a variety of occasions. These are issues related to the solution of economic, political and social problems. The closest assistants of Pharaoh created numerous grassroots structures, each of which performed administrative functions at its own level.
Pharaoh's stewards
As a result of the expansion of territories adjacentStates area of ancient Egypt has expanded significantly, and it included many provinces. In them the closest assistants of Pharaoh were the rulers appointed by him, who were called nomarchs. These local kings, acting in all cases of life on behalf of the supreme ruler of the country, had almost unlimited power. Taking advantage of the distance from the capital and the complexity of controlling their activities, they sometimes abused their position and embarked on the path called corruption today.
It is interesting to note that under Amenhotep III (xivcentury BC. e.) the closest assistants of Pharaoh were drawn up and sent out to the site special instructions, in which local officials and their scribes laid down the rules for handling secret documents, the use of stamps, and set time limits for the consideration of complaints. A special place in them was given to the transfer of penalties for the disclosure of state secrets.
A look into the past
Deciphering written records of that eraallowed to present in its entirety a picture of the state structure of ancient Egypt and find out what the grandees were doing in the service of Pharaoh. Of these, it became known that, along with many positive aspects of the management structure, there were very significant shortcomings. One of them, for example, was the lack of a clear separation between the powers of the judicial and administrative bodies. However, in spite of everything, the state created on the shores of the ancient Nile, took an honorable place in world history.
