POSITION OF THE WOMEN IN ANCIENT EGYPT

Abstract

Position and rights of the women are often discussed subjects in the present time. Position that women have in modern society are described as result of the long lasting fight for women rights. In the article position of the women in Ancient Egypt is presented, rights that they had, functions that they performed, as well as changes that occurred based on the influence of the Ancient Greek civilization. Women in the Ancient Egypt could manage and dispose the property, sign contracts, adopt children, relief slaves, etc. In the Ancient Egypt divorce was allowed and women have right to keep property that was her before marriage, and to get part of the property in line with the premarital contract. Egyptian women could be pharaohs, army commander, viziers, scribes, high priest, etc. Additionally, women had irreplaceable role in the spiritual sphere of the life and connection of the empire with the divine energy. From the above mention we could see that the Egyptian women have many rights that the Western civilizations are emphasized as modern achievements. However, under the influence of the Greek civilization and latter Christianity, Egyptian women gradually were losing their rights, and at the end of the III century BC, they were equal with the Greek women and they needed tutor for each legal act.