Public Administration in Ancient Rome and Egypt

Sherife Ajdini

doi:10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n6p385

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper is to define the ancient public administration in Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt. Public administration theory is not a modern concept; both Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt had a well-developed public administration and borrowed by many different public administrations in the modern world. Ancient Rome had established different administrative hierarchies for military affairs, law, finance and taxation, internal affairs and foreign affairs, everyone with its central head of states. The administrative structure was well-thought out that later was borrowed by the Roman Catholic Church and applied to its structure. Officers reported back through their superiors to the emperor; the emperors were at the center of the state. On the other hand, Egypt had a well-structured public administration, as well. Ancient Egypt was a unitary system and at the central of the government was the pharaoh and was the chief justice of the country and presided over the entire administration, and under the pharaoh were the viziers. Ancient Egypt was structured with a central government and many local governments. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n6p385

Highlights

Ancient Egyptians and ancient Romans were very hands-on when it came to the structure and instruction of the public administration, and this indicated on many aspects of the public administration
There were well-paid positions with regular extras for meritorious service, clear lines of promotion, and a high degree of professional stability” (Chandler, 200) We can see how imperative public administration was in ancient Egypt and the importance placed on educating government employees
“The hierarchical form of organization, full- time professional staffs, social stratification of the service, clearly marked paths of promotion, relative security of tenure-these were characteristics of both services. Both had the same tragic endings, in becoming oppressive and burdensome to the people” (Beyer, 249) Public administration was an imperative role in Ancient times, in Egypt and Rome, shown from many aspects of its development

Summary

Introduction

Ancient Egyptians and ancient Romans were very hands-on when it came to the structure and instruction of the public administration, and this indicated on many aspects of the public administration. Their structures made for very organized workers affair, and enhanced the self-respect and prestige of the services. A few people held positions of great power These were the king’s chief officers, who included the vizier and the high priest. These men oversaw lower officials in areas such as law, religion, agriculture, and trade. Indirectly, all officials obeyed to the orders of the king, whose word was law.”(Kaplan, 13) Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt used well-designed public administration to advance and control their empires for many years to come

Public Administration in Ancient Rome

Education in Ancient Rome

Law in Ancient Rome

Public Administration in Ancient Egypt

Education in Ancient Egypt

Law in Ancient Egypt

Conclusion