Daughters Of Isis

Women of Ancient Egypt

During the Dynastic Period in Ancient Egypt, women had led exciting independent lives. The women of Ancient Egypt had many roles throughout their lifetime, all considered to be of the upmost importance. These women took the title of mother, daughter, wife, and neighbor. The roles evolved as the women aged, but they all linked together, being very important in Egyptian society.

In order to be considered an adult in Ancient Egypt, a woman must get married and move out of her family home and into her matrimonial home. This step started her new life in society and earned her more respect. (pg. 45) Egyptian women were arranged to be married when they were young. Having just passed the stage of puberty, Egyptian women were married to neighbors of the same social standing. (pg. 45, 51) Although it was the daughters’ marriage, she did not play a role in choosing her husband. The father of the bride and the groom arranged the marriage including the payment of the dowry. (pg. 50) Women taking on this role of a wife was important because it either kept the family in the same social standing, or gave the family higher social standing (pg. 46). Being married and moving out also brought great honor to her family. With taking on the role of a wife, Egyptian women then took on the role of supporting her husband. In tombs, women were drawn standing behind their husbands symbolizing their support (pg. 20). Wives and daughters provided food and clothing for the man of the house when they set out on their adventures. They never went with him, but they stayed behind in order to run the home. (pg. 34) Women were also expected to support their husband in his chosen career. This also meant stepping in for their husbands when needed. For example, Henuttawi supervised the reception of two ships of grain per her husband, Esamenope’s, request (pg. 121). Also, wives of fisherman were expected to gut and sell the fish (pg. 137) Being married was an important role in Egyptian society and it gave women great honor and respect.

The most important role that a woman played in her life was the role of motherhood. A wife needed to have many children in order to please their husbands (pg.66). A women’s fertility contributed to attractiveness and success. A fertile woman was a successful woman, therefore earning her approval from society and her husband. (pg. 63, 66) Mothers took a big risk during childbirth to keep the family name alive. This risk would be taken many times because a woman would undergo “frequent and numerous pregnancies.” Being a mother meant caring for their own baby as well as caring for her sibling’s babies, her grandchildren, and her neighbor’s babies (pg. 80). Because of the mothers important and respected role, they were represented with honor on the tombs of their sons and husbands (pg. 66). A mother was so important in a child’s life that in the case of divorce, the mother would keep custody of her children. The mother was also responsible for their children’s upbringing and education. (pg. 60). Without women taking on the role of motherhood then Egyptian children would not be able to grow up and effectively contribute to society, or there wouldn’t be generations of children at all.

Other than being a mother, Egyptian women had other roles in society that came from the numerous jobs that they could obtain. Women who stayed home and did house work and domestic tasks were referred as the “Mistress of the House”, they ensured the smooth day-to-day running of her husband’s home (pg.82). Men were not well versed on the importance of a woman’s daily life, therefore it is not well documented. However, with women ensuring that a household was being looked after, that meant that the men were able to go out and improve Egyptian society, even though women were also improving it from the home as well. The role that a woman took depended on their social status as well as their education. Well educated women were domesticated administrators/supervisors, having appropriate skills led to weaving and other domestic jobs, and finally women with little to no training were domestic servants. (pg. 123) Being a maid or a servant was one of the more common jobs for women because anyone could find employment in domestic service. It was honorable work because it gave women a chance to contribute and support themselves and their families. Some women could be midwives or wet nurses, which expanded on the role of motherhood (pg. 72). Women had become professional mourners as well. Women would be hired to enhance the status of the deceased by openly grieving at their funeral. (pg. 132) This was an important role because death was taken seriously in Ancient Egypt, and honoring the dead was essential.

The different roles that Egyptian women held in Ancient Egypt were all important in contributing to the society at the time. Throughout a woman’s life she held many different roles that gave her a respected and honored standing. The importance of women’s roles may have not been well documented, but their effects on Egyptian society were prominent.

 

 

Works Cited

Tyldesley, Joyce A. Daughters of Isis: Women of Ancient Egypt. Penguin Books, 1994.