The lives of Egyptian women were free of the restraints normally placed upon women in the rest of the ancient world, allowing them to exercise a full part in society, recognised as equal with men under the law. Using evidence gleaned from written records, monuments, sculpture, tombpaintings and the material found in tombs, including objects and human remains, Barbara Watterson has built up a fascinating picture of the often overlooked contributions made by women of all classes to the social, and sometimes the political, history of ancient Egypt. In Women in Ancient Egypt, the types of occupations and careers open to women are described, as are their domestic and personal lives - marriage, health and childbirth; family life; running a home; clothing, jewellery and beauty preparations. The women whose lives are fleshed out in this book are largely the 'little people' of history, women who rarely exercised any power outside the domestic sphere. In contrast, however, the final chapter deals with those women, surprisingly few in number, whose influence on the political affairs of their country was considerable and, in some cases, legendary, with a small number of royal women able to ascend the throne of Egypt and rule as female kings.
- ISBN10 1445610205
- ISBN13 9781445610207
- Publish Date 15 February 2013 (first published 28 November 1991)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Amberley Publishing
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 160
- Language English