The Role of Women in Ancient Egypt

Women in ancient Egypt enjoyed more civil right than women in different civilizations. This was because both men and women shared a common relationship with the ruler, and legal distinctions were often based more on social class than gender in ancient Egypt. Women in ancient Egypt shared some economic and legal rights similar to men, which was unusual for the times.

Legal Rights

The legal rights of Egyptian women were impressive for an early society. They had the legal right to sell and dispose of property, including land, servants, livestock, slaves and even money. They had rights to sue free slaves and control their own property as seen fit. Unlike in Greece, women did not need a man's consent to take any of these actions. Women generally received property from their families or husbands, and sometimes they earned money through employment. If women brought property into a marriage, the husband could use it, but if they had a divorce, the women could have it returned.

Contracts and More Legal Issues

Women in Egypt had the power to engage in negotiating legal contracts, which they often did in marriage, divorce and the purchase of different types of property. Self-enslavement was practiced by both men and women, and it was a form of indentured servitude. Under this contract, women received a salary for any labor that they did, usually to make a payment to a creditor needed to satisfy bad debts and to be assured of one's provisions and financial security. This contract could include a woman's children and grandchildren. Egyptian women had the right to bring lawsuits against anyone in open court; there was no gender bias, and they often won their cases.

Literacy

Lower class women were not very literate, whereas those that were middle class and upper middle class had a much higher rate of literacy. Therefore, those with education were more likely to exercise the legal and property rights. Women during the time were free to go out in public and work, whether in the fields or estate workshops.

Employment

Some women in ancient Egypt had different types of employment or professions. But generally the role of women even in upper-middle class families was limited to the home and family. It was due to the traditional role women played as mothers. Women often had administrative position through marriage. Queens and princesses often functioned as leaders alongside their spouses, rather than just figureheads. Women in nobility and landed gentry often managed estates for families. Some women were middle-class house keepers, servants and field hands, while some with money and power had political power to change law and factors that affected people.

Marriage and Family

Men in ancient Egypt generally married at mid-age, at about 30 years old. Men still had more power than women did, as some rich people had several wives, but mostly, men and women valued a marriage. Women ran the household and men often granted them power to make decision and handle money affairs. Women often hired servants and supervised the work they did. Women married to ruler or ship captains often shared some of the work duties they did on an equal footing. Wealthy women often enjoyed servants that bathed and dressed them in the best linens. They had the leisure time to eat the food they wanted to, enjoy board games, play with the children and drink wine when entertaining.

Resources

• Egyptian History