43 .-- Cellar, with amphorae.] [Illustration: Fig.

44 .-- Granary.] The taxation of ancient Egypt was levied in kind, and government servants were paid after the same system.

To workmen, there were monthly distributions of corn, oil, and wine, wherewith to support their families; while from end to end of the social scale, each functionary, in exchange for his labour, received cattle, stuffs, manufactured goods, and certain quantities of copper or precious metals.

Thus it became necessary that the treasury officials should have the command of vast storehouses for the safe keeping of the various goods collected under the head of taxation.

These were classified and stored in separate quarters, each storehouse being surrounded by walls and guarded by vigilant keepers.