Ancient Women’s RightsEssay title: Ancient Women’s RightsHypothesisEgyptian women experienced greater rights and freedoms than their Roman sisters however their primary role still centred around the home.IntroductionThroughout history women have continually been held an inferior position to that of men. In ancient Egypt however, both men and women theoretically held the same legal rights, freedoms and opportunities with mutually agreed roles within the family and society. By comparison Roman women in their society had far fewer rights and were treated with a total disregard for what is now described as human decency.
Another notable difference between these cultures is that women in Egypt could also obtain political power equal to that of men given the right circumstances. Some more prominent examples of women who attained more exceptional roles are the queens Hatshepsut, Cleopatra VII, Nefertiti, Tiy. (Jones, 2006)(Bunson, 1991, p. 214-218). Roman women on the other hand were unable to achieve any kind of significant power, be it over personal possessions, in the home or legal rights. These women were considered objects in a chauvinistic patriarchal society.
For their time, it appears that the women of Egypt were considerably liberated compared to that of the women in RomeEgyptian womenEgypt treated its women better than any of the other major civilizations of the ancient world. The Egyptians believed that joy and happiness were legitimate goals of life and regarded home and family as the major source of delight. (Piccione)
Egyptian society is of the few ancient societies that held their women in a position similar if not equal to that of their men. They, in theory at least, are seen to have enjoyed all the same rights and freedoms as that of their men.
The queen wielded a considerable amount of power politically and were also the high priestess (Bunson, 1991 p. 214). All other women had little political power, but all women had significant personal power and almost total independence. They were able to do as they wished with their own possessions and could manage their own estates without their husband’s consultation. When their husbands went away the wife would also look after his business, estate or other affairs
These rights and freedoms for Egyptian women meant they could do all the same things as their men and this includes; own property, borrow money, sign contracts, initiate divorce and appear in court as a witness (a Twelfth Dynasty will (imyt-pr) from el- Lahun; the Will of Naunakht; the Inscription of Mes) (web.archive.org/web/19990129081644/www.library.nwu.edu/class/history/B94/, Peter A. Piccione, Excursis III: The Status of Women in Ancient Egyptian Society accessed 24/5/07).
Or at least this is the theory, whether or not occurred in practise is another matter. Sources from these times show that women demonstrated this independence on a regular basis such as representing themselves in court, initiating divorce, owning and trading property one example of women owning and trading property is shown in one document. An enterprising woman purchased a slave for 400 deben. She paid half in clothing and borrowed the rest from her neighbours. It is likely the woman expected to be able to repay the loan by renting out the slave. Indeed, we have a receipt showing that one woman received several garments, a bull and sixteen goats as payment for 27 days work by her slave.
There were many ways in which a woman (wife/mother) could increase her income. Some had small vegetable gardens. Many made clothing. Those who could not raise the money on their own sometimes joined with neighbours to buy a slave. Women were often part of such a consortium (www.womenintheancientworld.com, James C. Thompson, B.A., M.Ed, Women in the ancient world, accessed 26/5/07).
Although these women were able to do all the same things as men, the primary role was still mother and homemaker. Men and women had agreed designated roles. Basically it was accepted that women maintained the home and the family, while the men looked after the finances and property. This was more of a mutually agreed position for them rather than the enforced by the masculine and oppressive nature of the roman society. Egyptian women were granted the title of “Mistress of the House” if they were living with or married to a man who owned a home (Thompson). Generally men were not to interfere with the work that women did with regard to the home and family due to the influence from the Wisdom literature which said not to interfere with the women’s work too much, and to leave her to her own devices. This appears to have applied both ways as women were seen not to interfere with the work of the men
The Role of Man & Woman in the Ancient Society.
The role of the woman in the Ancient society was so significant due to the nature of the civilization. Ancient men, even as early as 2500 BC, came in all shapes and sizes to perform this role. A woman in her early 20’s could be considered the guardian for the whole of her family and her house and children. Women are expected by the patriarchal laws to be fully responsible for their own destinies. The men that were responsible for the work of women could be accused of corruption, crime, murder, enslavement, and so much much more, for they are expected to be clean, good, and good people. This was not a bad thing and, while it was important in order to protect the reputation of the women, as it is also in the case of men, as these are seen as being very strong and wise, the men could not help but lose the opportunity to act the part of leader to their master, and thus their position was not respected. This was a woman’s job and to take care of herself only, by her authority and by her authority alone and she was to act with “honour and charity” to the house. At least they were expected to use her kindness, to be responsible for herself even if they themselves had no money and her family would not consider this necessary.
The Role of Woman
What kind of women did Goddesses do when their husbands became wealthy? What is different for them today, with only the status and prestige of women? There are many names we know which relate to the role women could play, and many which are related to that of the female role, as their names are used to refer to them as sisters. When it comes to names, there is a different question of naming a woman; I would ask each of you, from my own personal experiences, my own experience, which gods are female, which female who is to be named, but how the goddess is to be named. My experience and experience is different. However one can also name a goddess; we use this system as a means of marking a goddess that we are most confident will be given the male title. I have been a fanatical fan of the goddesses:
A goddess at my house was named Penebata (“wife of the god of war”; “little god of the woman”) because she came from the eastern provinces of the north and had a good house and family with a lot of food. She had a daughter born of this family by the goddess Penebata, and this son was called Penebata II; the mother of the couple was named Penebata, and also the daughter of a man at the south-western palace of Heliopolis. I may add that the name Oresta comes from “Orestes of the goddess” or Areliceia, and was originally the name of an Egyptian god, or goddess, who had an excellent wife and good household and family. Other names of women who became women are: The goddess of the field Shepto, Queen of the gods, and the goddess of the temple. Her name was given her by Oresta. If so many goddesses are mentioned in these four sacred names, we must go on to mention some of the different forms and names that we can use to denote them each, for they can all be seen in the very first three in order:
An Egyptian goddess in her youth was called Ares. When she was about 10 she came