Upper-class women In ancient Egypt, a woman’s rank depended on her husband’s, but she could gain status as the mother of a high-ranking man. Wives and daughters of pharaohs and nobles lived privileged lives with ýne clothes and many servants. By 1550 BCE, women could inherit, own and sell property. They could become part- time priestesses, as well as choose to marry or divorce. Wealthy marriages were often business deals, and some men had multiple wives. Pharaohs sometimes married their sisters but had other wives as well. Some upper-class women became high ofýcials, such as Nebet, a vizier under Pharaoh Pepy I. Nefertiti, wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, was inþuential and often depicted with him, even in a war chariot. Did you know? Upper-class Egyptian women had many cosmetics and jewellery, including kohl pots, curlers, tweezers, combs, cosmetic boxes, rings, necklaces, amulets and makeup grinding stones.
SOURCE8 Bottles like these held eyeliner.
3.4 SkillBuilder activity HISTORICAL QUESTIONS Inscriptions and paintings show ordinary Egyptians working happily in ýelds or doing skilled jobs for the pharaoh, suggesting a peaceful society. But is this true? 1. What does SOURCE9 infer about workers’ lives? Why was it made? 2. What does SOURCE10 tell you about workers’ lives? 3. Explain why you think the two sources tell two different stories. 4. Ninety-ýve per cent of ancient Egyptians were illiterate. Discuss what problems this would pose for historians trying to discover the thoughts and feelings of ordinary Egyptians.
SOURCE9 Tomb of Nebamun and Ipuky, circa 1390–1349 BCE
90 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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