Most Modern Day Ancient Society

 When you think of women in Ancient societies, you automatically assume that women were treated unfairly and unequal, because thats just how times were. But when it comes to Ancient Egypt that was not the case. One of the main central values for Egyptian civilizations was the concept of harmony and balance in all aspects of one's life. Egypt is really one of the only Ancient societies that was close to being like modern day society as far as women rights. Yes most women were still wives, mothers, and housekeepers, but those women also had almost just as many rights as men.

Women de jure rights were depended on their social class rather than sex. Women in this society were able to own and manage private property such as land, slaves, servants, livestock, portable goods, money and more. Some women even had interesting jobs such as sealers, during the time of Old Kingdom of Egypt. "Sealing was one of the commonest duties of men throughout the bureaucracy because, in the absence of locks and keys, seals were used to safeguard property. A sealer carried the authorized seal with which to secure containers and storerooms against unauthorized entry." They were also able to hold administrative positions with authority such as "Second Prophet of Amun" at the temple of Karnak, which was a male office. This proves that Egyptian societies were almost as equal as today.

Although most men were still the head of the household in these societies, women were legally capable in every aspect of their lives and did not require the supervision, consultation, or approval of a man in order to pursue any course of action such as sexual intercourse. Like today if a women doesn't want to have sex with her husband or any man she doesn't have to and if she says no and the man still goes it considered rape. Women also were able to marry anyone they wanted to and the marriages were not arranged by the mans family and the woman could divorce if she feel the need to do so. Im pretty sure this was the best Ancient society because women were not controlled like many other Ancient societies.

In my opinion this is one of the best ancient society to live in as a woman because most women in other ancient societies had to follow all the laws of the man and basically had no rights. So, If you were a woman in Ancient times and had to choose which ancient society to live in which one would it be and why? If you love being equal to men I'm pretty sure Ancient Egypt would be the best society.

When learned about Ancient societies in history classes other than Ancient Egypt, people often learned that women were always under the control of a man and had no rights what so ever, other than to be the housewife and to please the husband. So learning about Ancient Egyptians on their treatment of women is interesting and more satisfying, because it shows that not all people back in Ancient times were treating women unfairly.

Sources:

“Women in Ancient Egypt.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, www.ancient.eu/article/623/women-in-ancient-egypt/. 

“Women's Work in Ancient Egypt.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, www.ancient.eu/article/1058/womens-work-in-ancient-egypt/.

Excursis III: The Status of Women in Ancient Egyptian Society web.archive.org/web/19970630114400/http:/www.library.nwu.edu/class/history/B94/B94women.html.