Middle East

In Mesopotamia, the early logographic system of cuneiform script took many years to master. Thus only a limited number of individuals were hired as scribes to be trained in writing. Only royal offspring and sons of the rich and professionals, such as scribes, physicians, and temple administrators, were schooled.Most boys were taught their father's trade or were apprenticed to learn a trade.Girls stayed at home with their mothers to learn housekeeping and cooking, and to look after the younger