Along with cities and rulers, writing distinguished the earliest civilizations. Writing was a skill originally confined to an elite group of officials, priest, and scribes. Writing for him who knows it is better than all other professions, declared an ancient Egyptian text, composed by a writing teacher to be copied out by scribes in training. It pleases more than bread and beer, more than clothing and ointment. It is worth more than an inheritance in Egypt, more than a tomb In the west.