The Egyptian woman in general was free to go about in public; she certainly didn’t wear a veil or anything of that sort. There are conflicting opinions however, as to whether or not it was safe for an Egyptian woman to venture far from her town alone. For example, Ramesses (King of Egypt 1184-1153 BCE) boasted in one inscription, “I enabled the women of Egypt to go her own way, her journeys being extended where she wanted without any person assaulting her on the road.”(2) Unfortunately the women of ancient Egypt, like all women, were the victims of crime and rape. A different view of the traveling woman found in The Instructions of Any; “Be on your guard against a woman from abroad, who is not known in town. Do not have sex with her.”(

Egyptian women had many freedoms. A woman could administer all her property independently and according to her free will. She could arrange any kind of legal settlement. She could appear as a contracting partner in marriage, divorce, adoptions and even self-enslavement. She could execute testaments and was entitled to sue. Women ran large households effectively and efficiently. The role of women in Egyptian society was unique in the ancient world. Women led rich and full lives. The women of Ancient Egypt had certain rights that took women in this country, years to overcome. It is ironic to think that while they had women rulers, (although this was uncommon) we have yet to experience a woman president in this country and it’s 3000 years later.

3) Despite a woman’s legal freedom to travel about, folk law and traditions were discouraging of that. A woman’s domain was in private life, which was more of a social custom than an official doctrine.

The more intimate parts of married life were very important to the Egyptians. They saw life as a cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Much of their theology was based on the “cycle-principal.” Sexual intercourse was a very important part of this cycle and the Egyptians were not modest about sex. They were more concerned with the potency and fertility of the afterlife rather than the spiritual aspect. Consequently, false penises were put on the mummified bodies of men and artificial nipples were put on the mummified bodies of women. Both of these were designed to be fully functional in the next life.

When divorce did occur, it was a private matter and the government didn’t interfere unless upon the request of the “divorcees.” Almost any excuse could be used to end a marriage. Anyone who had drawn up a marriage contract would have to honor those terms; those who hadn’t could invest in a legal document if they wish. Legal cases however were very unusual; most marriages ended with the wife moving back home to her family, therefore setting both parties free to marry again. This was made very convenient because a wife kept her independence during a marriage and her husband in no way became his wife’s legal guardian. She kept control of her own assets. Although the husband usually controlled any joint property obtained during the marriage, it was acknowledged that a share of this belonged to his wife, and if and when the marriage ended, she could collect her share. A woman had claims of up to 1/3 of all the community property in her marriage. Becoming a widow held similar stipulations.

Marriage in ancient Egyptian society was very significant. It was considered a duty to get m

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