Ancient History (Women, Egypt & China)

The Role of Women in Ancient Egypt and China

Looking into the past is often an ideal way of discovering more about the present, both in terms of oneself, others, and society in general. Without such a broad perspective, it is difficult for the individual to be fully integrated in the here-and-now to be of much use for future generations of explorers of the past. If we look at ancient Egypt and China, we discover many things about many different aspects of society and human nature. Tracing the past generations of our species is a uniquely human concept, one that even allows us to note changes in our own evolution, or changes over time as the politically correct would prefer. For instance, we are studying about women in both of these ancient cultures, and what we find are not only a greater understanding of aspects of existence like gender roles, religion, and patriarchy but also discover the celebration of the female in different ways than in modern times. For example, ancient Egypt set a standard for valuing the females of their culture, and women were equal with men naturally because of the valuation, "The most important aspects/attributes/principals of God were personified by women. The netert, or Ma-at, personifies the cosmic-ordering principle. She keeps the universe in balance, order and harmony. Her cosmic power is the source without which the other neterw (gods and goddesses) are functionless and nil" (Gadalla 1). Exploring ancient

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d deal of independence. Women in ancient Egypt also enjoyed a high degree of political influence and importance which is not common to women in most other ancient cultures: The throne theoretically and often in practice descended through the female line. An heiress brought to her husband the right of succession; hence there was much anxiety about the marriage of princesses. Many royal marriages were of brother and sister, without apparently unsatisfactory genetic effects; some pharaohs married their daughters, but perhaps to prevent anyone else marrying them rather than to ensure the continuity of the divine blood. Such a standing must have made royal women influential personages in their own right. Some exercised important power and one even occupied the throne, being willing to appear ritually bearded and in a man's clothes, and taking the title of Pharaoh. (Roberts 123) There is a difficulty inherent in trying to make generalizations about women over such a long period of time as ancient Egyptian history, but women for the most part enjoyed many avenues of personal expression and freedoms not found by women in other cultures until modern times. For the most part, Egyptian women were viewed with eroticism, relaxati

Category: History - A