Status Of Men And Women In Ancient Egypt

Photo: Wikimedia Neithsabes

The ancient Egyptians viewed men and women, including people from all social classes except slaves, as essentially equal under the law, and even the lowliest peasant was entitled to petition the vizier and his court for redress.

Men and women  both had the right to own and sell property, make contracts, marry and divorce, receive inheritance, and pursue legal disputes in court. Married couples could own property jointly and protect themselves from divorce by agreeing to pre nuptial agreement, which stipulated the financial obligations of the husband to his wife and children should the marriage end in divorce.

In Official life ancient Egyptian women did not often take part in official roles in the administration, served only secondary roles in the temples, and were not as likely to be as educated as men.