More than five thousand years ago, the Egyptians established the world's first nation-state on the banks of the fertile Nile River, whose waters they used for irrigating crops, bathing, and transporting goods. This comprehensive look at the Egyptians' daily lives covers their houses, family relationships and duties, food and dining customs, social status and roles, marriage customs, health and personal grooming, education, occupations and crafts, leisure activities, religious beliefs and rituals, and much more.