What was the role of education in the administration and governance of ancient civilizations?

Education was crucial for running things smoothly in ancient civilizations. For instance, in Mesopotamia, scribes learned how to read and write cuneiform, which was essential for managing records and laws. In Egypt, education helped prepare people for roles in administration and religious duties. China had its imperial exams to select officials based on their knowledge of Confucian texts. In Rome, oratory skills were highly valued for public speaking and legal roles, so education focused a lot on rhetoric.