Farmers in ancient Egypt thought of the year as having three seasons: flood time, seeding, and harvest. Each year (in October on our modern calendar), the Nile River would flood. This was good news for farmers because Egypt is mostly desert, and not enough rain falls to grow crops. The annual flood would last for a few weeks, and then the water level would drop, leaving a layer of fertile, black mud. This mud fertilized the soil, and the flood water was stored in a series of canals. A special government department was in charge of making sure the canals were kept in good repair.
Ancient Egyptians believed that the flooding was the work of Hapi, the Nile god. They saw it as a sign that he was pleased with them. The people gave thanks to Hapi for sending the flood waters.
The farmers grew such things as pomegranates, melons, figs, wheat, and barley. Part of the crop was turned over to the Pharoah as payment of taxes. Grain "paid" as taxes was stored in granaries. It was then used to "pay" government officials. This grain was also used as an emergency food source during times of famine.
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