Part 5/7:
The historical records indicate that various leaders understood the importance of ensuring their citizens were adequately fed. Pharaoh Mentuhotep III noted the rations he provided to his army, which included twenty loaves of bread per soldier per day, emphasizing that a well-fed populace led to more effective labor forces and military success.
However, not all pharaohs were proficient in maintaining this crucial supply. The inadequacies of Pharaoh Ramses III in fulfilling bread payments to his laborers resulted in strikes that halted the construction of his tomb. Such events highlight how integral bread was not just as food but also as a fundamental component in the socio-political framework of ancient Egypt.