Ancient Women’s Rights

Hypothesis

Egyptian women experienced greater rights and freedoms than their Roman sisters however their primary role still centred around the home.

Introduction

Throughout 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 Rome

Egyptian women

Egypt 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