The Nile River runs right through the middle of Egypt. About 5000 years ago, people started to live and work along the banks of this great river. This was the beginning of the society we call ancient Egypt.
There were many different groups of people in ancient Egypt. Each group had a different level of power. The pharaoh had the most power. Priests were powerful because they controlled the temples. Nobles were from rich families, and were born into a high position.