The attitude to love, sex and marriage in ancient Egypt is very significant in itself. People in this country influenced the mores and practices in Ancient Israel, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome.
Equality between men and women
We do not have a complete picture of what marriage was like in Ancient Egypt. The period spans almost 3000 years, from 3100 BC. e. to 332 BC BC, the attitude could vary significantly over the centuries and even depended on the ruler. It seems that men and women were almost equal in status, with the latter enjoying broader rights such as the right to dispose of property or initiate divorce, which cannot be said about ancient Rome. In the art of this period, women are often depicted as supporting or hugging their husband. And the spouses called each other brother and sister, and all because they were on equal terms.
Attitude towards sex
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The Egyptians were too sensual, they fully enjoyed all kinds of pleasure. Their myths abound in all kinds of sex. They attached false penises to male mummies and false nipples to female ones to equip the dead for sex in the afterlife. People did not appreciate chastity, did not think about such a concept as virginity. Illegitimate children did not raise questions from anyone, it was not a stigma or shame. The medical essay, the Ebers papyrus, which dates back to the middle of the second millennium BC, contains a prescription for the pessary contraceptive that has resulted in fewer abortions. Adultery is taboo, especially on the part of the wife. And the ladies who cheated on their husbands could be severely punished: they could be beaten to death, stoned or burned at the stake.
At what age did you get married?
In general, people sought to marry someone from their own social class, but had little interest in race or even nationality. The woman sometimes married her cousin, but this did not apply to representatives of the royal dynasties. Men usually got married between the ages of 16 and 20, or as soon as they mastered a profession to support their wife and future children. Women usually got married at a younger age, around 13 or just after puberty, and older men (older men) often married very young girls (virgins).
How did you get married?
The marriage was usually between the groom and the bride's parents, and the man's family offered money or gifts to make the deal and compensate the bride's family for the loss of their daughter. Before marriage, an agreement (marriage contract) was drawn up, where they indicated what would remain for a woman and possible children in the event of a divorce. And the objects that the lady herself, so to speak, brought into marriage, remained her own. The celebration was celebrated with a lavish feast, but there was no wedding ritual as such. As soon as the bride brought her belongings to the groom's house, she was considered married. In some cases, the couple entered into a trial marriage for one year, the so-called year of food, after which it could be renewed or canceled.
Was divorce easier before?
Divorce was a simple procedure. One of the spouses could have divorced simply by saying “I'm leaving you,” there were no formalities. Everything was simple, even if they had no special reason, such as adultery or sterility. In contrast to Ancient Athens and Ancient Rome, children in marriage belonged to the mother and remained with her during divorce. The man paid alimony to the woman, regardless of whether he had money or not, until the lady finds herself another husband. The woman did not bear any stigma associated with divorce, and after that it was easy to remarry. Although many women who already had children found it difficult to find a new husband. Despite the relative ease of divorce, people worked hard on their marriage, not because they believed their marriage was love forever.but because they valued their acquired property.
The Egyptians believed that after death they would stand on trial before the god Osiris, who, they hoped, would allow them to pass into the reed field, where they would be reunited with the people and possessions they held dear.
A little fascinating and shocking story
Osiris married his sister Isis, later even members of the royal family did this, because they considered themselves divine. Cleopatra, the mistress of Caesar and Mark Antony, married her brothers, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. Some pharaohs even married their daughters, although it may have been an honorable marriage to elevate princess status. Unlike ordinary Egyptians, who were forbidden to do so, the pharaohs often took multiple wives, which allowed them to create or strengthen domestic and international alliances. However, one of the wives, often a sister or half-sister, dominated the others and held the title of Great Royal Wife. Tutankhamun, who ruled from 1332 to 1323 BC and suffered from numerous deformities, was the son of Akhenaten and one of Akhenaten's sisters. He married his half-sister Ankhesenamona,daughter of Akhenaten and his great royal wife Nefertiti. Before marrying Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun was married to her father. Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun had two daughters, but both were born dead.
Victoria Ivashura
