Image Gallery
Stela of Neskhons Queen of Pinezem II
This painted wooden stela depicts a woman whose name was identified as Neskhons; she was the wife of the High Priest of Amun Pinedjem (II). On the right side, Neskhons looks to the left and makes an offerring to the god Osiris. There are seven vertical columns of hieroglyphic inscriptions above, identifying the god as Osiris with epithets and her as "the Osiris the great head of the first troupe of Amun-Ra king of the gods, the god's servant of Khnum lord of the First Cataract, king's son of Kush, overseer of the southern hill-lands, god's servant of the Lady of Offerings of Serudet, head of noblewomen Neskhons true of voice". From Thebes, Egypt. 21st Dynasty, circa 965 BCE.
Questions & Answers
Could women rule in ancient Egypt?
- There were queens in ancient Egypt - such as Hatshepsut and Cleopatra VII - but this was generally frowned upon because the first divine king, the god Osiris, was male and so Egyptian monarchs were also.
Did women have equal rights in ancient Egypt?
- Women had nearly equal rights in ancient Egypt. Men were the heads of households and so were considered authority figures in other areas, but women could be supervisors, priestesses, overseers, and scribes.
What were some of the jobs performed by women in ancient Egypt?
- Women in ancient Egypt were basket-weavers, bakers, brewers, cooks, musicians, dancers, launderers, as well as scribes, estate managers, priestesses, artisans, weavers, professional mourners, and waitresses.
What was the most powerful position a woman could hold in ancient Egypt?
- After the Middle Kingdom, the most powerful position a woman could hold in ancient Egypt was God's Wife of Amun, the female counterpoint of the High Priest of Amun.
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External Links
Women's Legal Rights in Ancient Egypt
lib.uchicago.edu
Women of Ancient Egypt [ushistory.org]
ushistory.org
Digital Giza | Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
fas.harvard.edu
