Women in Ancient Egypt

Rating:
Summary: An easy and informative read on Ancient Egyptian women
Review: The lives of women in ancient Egypt are poorly documented and Barbara Watterson is careful to note the gaps in our knowledge in this well written and very interesting book on the lives of these ancient ladies.

The author points out that Egyptian society was for practical purposes a "man's world" where all the public offices were held by men, but it was the women who held the land (and the right to descent for property). Both men and women were equal before the law and the women of ancient Egypt had many rights before the law that were not granted again in the western world till the late 19th century.

This book discusses male attitudes towards women, as has survived in ancient manuscripts, women in society and law, health and childbirth (where you can be disgusted by the medical remedies), dress and adornment, household duties and women of power such as the four Queens Regent of Egypt and the power and history of the Divine Wives of Amun.

For anyone who is interested in the lives of women in ancient Egypt this book is well researched and informative and makes an interesting read.