Ancient Egyptian women demanded benefits by marriage contracts

An ancient marriage contract of nearly 2.5 meters long revealed that ancient Egyptian women were really tough negotiators. They make sure they are still provided with money and food for a long time after marriage ends.

Ancient Egypt recognized women's equal rights in marriage

The marriage contract dated to 2,480 years was written on papyrus scrolls of nearly 2.5 m long in hieroglyphs. According to RT, it is on display at the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, USA.

Detailed photos of an ancient contract asking for the annual women's rights of Egyptian women.(Photo: Oriental Institute.)

Accordingly, the wife named on the contract will receive " 1.2 silver coins and 36 cereal bags every year for the rest of her life." However, she will have to prepay the future fiancé of 30 coins for the contract to take effect.

In another contract that archaeologists collect, the husband must list all the private property that the wife brings when she comes home, and pledges to return it all in case of two people. kiss.

" It can be said that the woman and her family put the most pressure on the husband to agree to such a contract," wrote Janet H. Johnson in a scientific article for University of Chicago Library. This expert also emphasized that the terms stated in the contract "are extremely beneficial for the wife."

The legal equality of Egyptian women surprised many people. However, according to Professor Emily Teeter, an Egyptian scholar at the Oriental Institute, this is not surprising because women in ancient Egypt enjoyed many benefits.

Women can apply for divorce at any time and such marital contracts always receive respect. If the two sides want to terminate the contract, they will have to go to court. " Many people do not know that ancient Egyptian women have equal legal rights to men," said Teeter.

Wedding simulation of ancient Egyptians.(Photo: Love Egypt)

The process of drafting an ancient marriage contract is not much different from today. The two parties named on the contract will meet each other in the presence of a hired copy and several witnesses. The contract proponent, in this case seems to be a woman, will read aloud the terms for the copywriter to record on paper. The other party may agree or reject the condition. If both reach agreement, the contract begins to be binding.

In addition to protecting your rights when divorced, women can participate in the settlement of the contract as the defendant or the plaintiff, jury member or witness. Ancient Egyptian women also have the right to buy and own property.

Despite gaining many legal freedoms, most Egyptian women still depend on men for social and political issues. While men are ranked on a career-based social rank, women's hierarchy is often determined by the position of the husband or father.

The advanced legal system of Egypt not only gives favor to women. In an ancient text, scientists found that construction workers in the tombs had quit their jobs or refused to work until they were paid, similar to an ancient strike.

The collapse of the ancient Egyptian dynasty gave this story still open. However, since the graves were still completed, Teeter said that it was likely that the workers "won the strike."

Records of the strike from 1160 BC.(Photo: Dong Phuong Institute)