What was the role of women in ancient Egyptian society and culture?

Ancient Egyptian women played important roles in society and culture, although their rights and responsibilities were different from those of men. Women could own property, inherit from their families, and even serve in some official positions. However, their opportunities were limited by cultural and social norms that emphasized women's domestic roles.

One of the most significant roles for women in ancient Egypt was that of motherhood. The goddess Isis was revered as the mother of all pharaohs and was a symbol of motherhood, fertility, and childbirth. Women were also responsible for domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and textile production. Some women worked in other trades such as weaving, brewing, and perfume-making.

Although women could own property, their rights were often limited by their marital status. A married woman's property and money belonged to her husband, although some women were able to keep their own property or gain control of it after a divorce. Women were also expected to be chaste and faithful to their husbands, and adultery was a crime punishable by death.

Despite these restrictions, some women in ancient Egypt rose to positions of great power and influence. For example, the female pharaoh Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for over 20 years and oversaw numerous building projects and military expeditions. Women were also often depicted in art and literature, both as symbols of fertility and as powerful goddesses and queens.