Ancient Education: A Comparative Study of Egypt, Greece, and China

Introduction

This assignment will be focusing on the education system of ancient Egypt, Greece, and China. The education system of each of these three kingdoms will be evaluated on its own and their principles of education which are so useful or important to the modern world must be discussed in detail. Examples like the invention of the 365 days calendar by the ancient Egyptian astronomies or geographers.

Education system in Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptian education was a system which carries out to educate young children in different subjects and topics. Common subjects like mathematics, reading, and writing were taught in schools, as well as religious teachings and morals were also taught in schools. Education was held in high regard and it was corporate for people with proper means to send their kids to school after a certain age. However, girls were not sent to school but their education is conducted at home or they do homeschooling.

There was a certain way the ancient Egyptian education system was applied, and it was common for boys to be sent to school from the age of eight. Some historians who taught ancient Egyptian education were generally attached to religious temples or government buildings. This involves that education was constantly supervised and shaped by the established order. People who operated as teachers were normally priests of temples or government administrators acting as scribes. Writing resources for small boys were wooden tablets, which could be wiped after there was no further space left and the writing materials for older students were papyrus,

A broad selection of subjects was taught as part of ancient Egyptian education. For young students, the subjects were generally limited to reading, writing, and the basic form of mathematics. The more students are nurtured old they include such subjects like medicine, history, music, geography, and science. The high level of ancient Egyptian education focuses on producing skilled personages.

The ancient Egyptian education system was given details form and was arranged to the modern social and political needs of the society. Their education system was well-rounded and instructs children in all forms of knowledge spiritual, mental, and physical. Ancient Egypt was the first known civilized country of the empire of human race and due to their civilization, they build temples, pyramids, irrigation, and the also make the 365 days calendar. (CHRONICLES, 2007)

Education system in Ancient Greece

There were two systems of education in ancient Greece, which is formal and informal education. Formal education was attained through attending to a public school and it was provided by an employed tutor but informal education was provided by the unpaid teacher and it occurred in a non-public setting. There were two different ways of administering education in ancient Greece because in ancient Greece there was a big rivalry between two big states called Athens and Sparta. Both of these states have their own ways of administering their education.

Ancient Greece has contributed to the development of the modern world, they are the first democratic nation in the world and introduced coin to the world.

Education in Athens

In Athens girls were educated in the home and only “well-educate” trained as home teachers which were like Greece's “geishas”. Boys were much more educated than girls. They had physical education and they were well-educated in sports and gymnastics. They also learned basic mathematics, how to sing, how to play musical devices, and how to write well. There were only privet schools, but many people can manage to pay for it. After completing basic education, the more wealthy boys were taught by philosophers.

Education in Sparta

Spartans believed in a life of discipline, self-control, straightforwardness, and survival of the fittest. Male Spartans children were sent to military school at the age of six or seven and they live in that military until they pass the test of fitness, military ability, and leadership skills. If any Spartan male fails to pass this test, he will be useless in society and he will not get any political rights or even citizenship.

Female Spartan children were trained in physical education, from the age of six until the age of eighteen after they will be given a test. If she passes the test she will be given to a husband but if she fails she also becomes a husbandless lady.

Education system in Ancient China

Education was in ancient Chinese culture and education was not just an asset, but a mandatory part of a child's development. In particular, education and schooling were considered essential for grooming a child's value and character and they believe that education is the greatest equalizer in the world. Ancient chines education was great influence by Confucius.

Confucius implemented his way of operating a school and his ideas are still working in the modern education system. The teachings of Confucianism defined the moral standard for being a good person. They covered and effectively controlled the various divisions of society and principles of governance. At the core of Confucianism are five important good points which are, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness. (PEARCE, 2017)

The valuable education principle which Ancient Egypt, Greece, and China contributed to the modern education of the modern world

These three ancient empires value education and they all gave tests to their students, they all set a consequence behind failing the test, still, this principle is working in the modern education system.

By going through the education systems of these three great ancient empires you will notice that they all send their children to school at a very early age approximately seven years and still, this principle is working in the modern education system.

Furthermore, by going through the education system of these three empires you will discover that teaching is only done by a well train teacher and this principle is working still. Moreover, we can learn that they all train their students for them to be wise and honest, and this principle is working still.

Bibliography

1. ABDULLAH, S. (2015). HISTORY OF EDUCATION. GAMBIA: ISLAMIC ONLINE UNIVERSITY.
2. CHRONICLES, L. &. (2007). ancient egyptian education. Retrieved november 18, 2019, from Legends & Chronicles: http//www.Legends&Chronicles.com/ancient-civilizations/ancient-egypt/ancient-egypt-education/
3. PEARCE, J. (2017, june 6). Education in Ancient China From the 'three character classic'. Retrieved november 19, 2019, from The Epoch Time: http//www.theepochtims.com/education-in-anceint- From-the-three-character-classic
4. SAADA, W. (2015, september 10). Athens education. Retrieved november 19, 2019, from Social Utopias: http//blog.richmond.edu/fysutopiasfall2015/2015/09/10/athens-education/