Question

Почему человек умеющий читать и писать казался египтянам настоящим мудрецом

Answer 1

Научиться читать и писать было очень трудно: в египетской письменности использовалось 700-800 иероглифов, те люди которые могли разбиратся в иероглифах  египтяни считали мудрецами. 

Answer 2

The Perception of Literacy in Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, the ability to read and write was highly valued and considered a mark of wisdom and intelligence. The literacy rate in ancient Egypt was relatively low compared to modern standards, with only a small percentage of the population being able to read and write. However, those who possessed this skill were highly respected and often seen as true sages and wise individuals.

Hieroglyphic Writing System: One of the reasons why individuals who could read and write were seen as wise in ancient Egypt is because of the complexity and exclusivity of the hieroglyphic writing system. Hieroglyphs were a system of pictorial symbols used to represent words and sounds. Learning to read and write hieroglyphs required years of study and practice, making it a skill that was not easily attainable by the general population.

Priestly Class: The ability to read and write was particularly associated with the priestly class in ancient Egypt. Priests were responsible for performing religious rituals, maintaining temple records, and interpreting sacred texts. They were seen as intermediaries between the gods and the people, and their knowledge of reading and writing hieroglyphs played a crucial role in their religious duties. As a result, priests were highly respected and revered in ancient Egyptian society.

Power of Knowledge: In ancient Egypt, knowledge was considered a source of power and authority. The ability to read and write gave individuals access to a wealth of information, including religious texts, historical records, and administrative documents. This knowledge allowed them to understand and interpret the world around them, making them valuable sources of wisdom and guidance.

Symbolic Significance: The written word held great symbolic significance in ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphs were believed to have magical properties and were often associated with the gods and the afterlife. The ability to understand and manipulate these symbols was seen as a form of divine knowledge, elevating those who possessed it to a higher status in society.

In conclusion, the perception of a person who could read and write as a true sage or wise individual in ancient Egypt can be attributed to the complexity and exclusivity of the hieroglyphic writing system, the association of literacy with the priestly class, the power and authority that came with knowledge, and the symbolic significance of the written word in ancient Egyptian culture.