The Role of Women in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest and most preeminent countries in the world with a cohesive, phenomenal culture that was based upon the tenet of unity. However, solely remaining as the first unified, long-lasting country was an achievement that was instigated by the roles of the people and leaders of ancient Egypt: especially women. The ancient Egyptian culture acknowledged women and gave them freedom equal to that of the Egyptian men, which transformed women from vulnerable domestic servants and women with no purpose in life but reproducing offspring to rulers, priestesses and artists. Even Herodotus, the Greek geographer and writer, visited Egypt and he was astonished by the behavior of “women who appeared to be as free as their menfolk” (Tyldesley 1). Women …show more content…
Unlike many other early cultures that were notorious for making men superior to women such as the ancient Greece culture where women had no identity, could not own property nor participate in the political life without sanction from a male representative (Johnson 1); women in ancient Egypt could also sign contracts concerning adoption of a child, or write their own wills and transfer their property to whomever they desired without being forced to acquire any representation from males (Troolin 1). Furthermore, ancient Egyptian women could also go to courts to testify in court cases or seek lawsuits and have divorces (Hunt 21). As much as females were given all these rights that many of other females around the world longed for, they were also held accountable for their actions which means that, just like men, women could also be convicted of crimes and punished by court (Troolin
Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest and most preeminent countries in the world with a cohesive, phenomenal culture that was based upon the tenet of unity. However, solely remaining as the first unified, long-lasting country was an achievement that was instigated by the roles of the people and leaders of ancient Egypt: especially women. The ancient Egyptian culture acknowledged women and gave them freedom equal to that of the Egyptian men, which transformed women from vulnerable domestic servants and women with no purpose in life but reproducing offspring to rulers, priestesses and artists. Even Herodotus, the Greek geographer and writer, visited Egypt and he was astonished by the behavior of “women who appeared to be as free as their menfolk” (Tyldesley 1). Women …show more content…
Unlike many other early cultures that were notorious for making men superior to women such as the ancient Greece culture where women had no identity, could not own property nor participate in the political life without sanction from a male representative (Johnson 1); women in ancient Egypt could also sign contracts concerning adoption of a child, or write their own wills and transfer their property to whomever they desired without being forced to acquire any representation from males (Troolin 1). Furthermore, ancient Egyptian women could also go to courts to testify in court cases or seek lawsuits and have divorces (Hunt 21). As much as females were given all these rights that many of other females around the world longed for, they were also held accountable for their actions which means that, just like men, women could also be convicted of crimes and punished by court (Troolin