The Role And Power Of Women In Ancient Egypt

Being a woman has never been easy. We all know well that throughout history our gender has been humiliated, abused and mistreated in every possible way to the very edges of human resistance. Today, after all the centuries and the fights, we still feel threatened, we still feel scared, we still feel used and underestimated. Just to imagine what would be of us a few thousand years ago sends chills all over the bodies of most of us.

But what if it turns out it wasn’t necessarily that bad everywhere? What if there were many times and places in which we were not belittled but beloved and even treasured and worshipped? Perhaps, in some cases and locations, we were venerated and protected way, way more than we are today.

Spartan and viking women are a good example of ancient equality. Both men and women could own land, both men and women had the right to divorce without losing their personal belongings, wealth or status. Women could keep custody of their children after divorce and remarry … And don’t even let me start with the position of women in Celtic societies. (Here there’s a whole article on what ancient Celtic women can teach us about equality today!)

Egyptians are a whole vast category of their own. They had a unique attitude about genders that changed and morphed with every dynasty. Sometimes Egyptians worshipped the Sun as their main deity, and then the society became a patriarchal one. However, some other times the Moon was their object of main adoration and the matriarchy took over. It was a constant and balanced dance of honor, devotion and power unlike any other anywhere.