The First Recorded Strike: Workers’ Rights in Ancient Egypt 1152 BCE
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Introduction: When the Nile Stopped Flowing for the Pharaoh
When we think of Ancient Egypt, images of colossal pyramids, golden tombs, and god-like pharaohs dominate our imagination. Yet behind the grandeur stood a vast workforce — artisans, masons, and laborers whose skill made Egypt’s monuments possible. In 1152 BCE, during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses III, these workers did something unprecedented: they went on strike. This act wasn’t just a momentary protest — it was the first recorded strike in human history, a bold stand for fairness in a rigidly hierarchical society.
Egypt’s Workforce: Life in Deir el-Medina
To understand the strike, we must first understand the people behind it.
Deir el-Medina, located on the west bank of the Nile near modern Luxor, was a purpose-built village for the artisans and craftsmen who worked on the pharaohs’ tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Far from being slaves, these workers were skilled specialists — painters, stonecutters, carpenters — who enjoyed a relatively privileged position compared to common laborers.
They were paid in rations, not coins, as Ancient Egypt had no formal currency. Payments included:
- Wheat and barley (for bread and beer)
- Fish and vegetables
- Occasionally meat, oils, and honey
In return, they worked long hours under the watchful eye of foremen, producing the tombs that would carry Egypt’s rulers into the afterlife.
The Crisis Under Ramses III
During Ramses III’s reign (1186–1155 BCE), Egypt faced mounting challenges:
- Economic strain from constant warfare
- Corruption in the bureaucracy
- Droughts and reduced Nile floods leading to poor harvests
- Increased grain prices and food shortages
By 1152 BCE, rations for Deir el-Medina’s workers were delayed repeatedly. For people whose entire survival depended on timely grain deliveries, this was more than an inconvenience — it was life-threatening.
The Strike of 1152 BCE: A Bold Stand
The story of the strike survives thanks to papyrus records, particularly the Turin Strike Papyrus, which details the events. Written by the village scribe Amennakhte, it is a firsthand account of workers demanding their rights.
Day 1: Refusal to Work
Instead of reporting to the tombs, the workers laid down their tools and marched to the mortuary temples, demanding their overdue rations. This was unprecedented — Egyptian society was built on obedience to the pharaoh, believed to be a living god.
Day 2: Escalation
When the authorities still did not provide grain, the workers staged a sit-in inside the temple of Ramses II, declaring:
“We are hungry. We have come here because of hunger and thirst. There is no clothing, no ointment, no fish, no vegetables. Send to Pharaoh, our good lord, about it.”
Day 3: Negotiation
Officials eventually relented, delivering partial rations. But shortages continued in the following weeks, leading to repeated strikes.
Why This Strike Was Revolutionary
In ancient times, challenging authority was rare and dangerous. The strike of Deir el-Medina was revolutionary because:
- It showed collective worker action — the power of unity.
- It recognized fairness as a right, not a privilege.
- It created a historical precedent — labor disputes have existed for as long as work itself.
The Aftermath
The strike didn’t topple Ramses III, but it forced local officials to improve ration delivery. More importantly, it proved that even in a society with divine kingship, workers could demand better treatment.
Within decades, Egypt’s political and economic stability eroded further. Corruption worsened, the central government weakened, and foreign invasions became more frequent. Many historians see the strike as a symptom of a declining New Kingdom.
Archaeological Evidence
The Turin Strike Papyrus remains the most vivid record, but other ostraca (pottery fragments with writing) also describe ration shortages and unrest. Excavations at Deir el-Medina have uncovered:
- Workers’ houses with surprisingly comfortable layouts (indicating their higher status)
- Personal letters describing shortages
- Administrative records tracking grain deliveries
Workers’ Rights in the Ancient World
This event reminds us that workers’ struggles are not modern inventions. Across history:
- Roman builders demanded better pay during major construction projects.
- Medieval guilds negotiated for fair treatment.
- Industrial-age workers fought for the eight-hour workday.
Yet Ancient Egypt’s strike stands out for being the first documented example, showing the universal human desire for dignity and fairness.
Legacy of the First Strike
Today, labor laws protect (at least in principle) many of the rights those Egyptian workers fought for: timely payment, safe conditions, fair treatment. While Deir el-Medina’s artisans lived in a vastly different world, their voices echo across 3,000 years.
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References
- Janssen, Jac. J. Village Varia: Ten Studies on the History and Administration of Deir el-Medina. Leiden: Brill, 1997.
- Kemp, Barry. Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization. Routledge, 2006.
- The Turin Strike Papyrus, Museo Egizio, Turin.
Reviewed by Sagar B
on
June 07, 2025
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