When the Greek historian Herodotus first visited Egypt, he was amazed by how different their society was compared to others he had seen. He thought their customs, especially around love and marriage, were the opposite of what he considered normal. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of love and marriage in ancient Egypt and see why Herodotus found it so surprising.
In ancient Egypt, marriages were usually arranged and monogamous, meaning one man married one woman. However, pharaohs were an exception and could have multiple wives. The main goal of marriage was to ensure social stability and continue the family line. Despite this, evidence shows that romantic love and companionship were also valued. Art and poetry from the New Kingdom period often celebrated the love between partners.
A famous example is the young pharaoh Tutankhamun, who is depicted in artwork with his wife, Ankhesenamun, in loving poses. These images show their affection through gestures and expressions. Unfortunately, Ankhesenamun disappears from history soon after, possibly indicating her early death. Such depictions of couples enjoying life together were common in tomb art.
Ancient Egyptian society was centered around the nuclear family. Young men were encouraged to find a partner once they reached adolescence, while girls were considered ready for marriage after their first menstruation. Men typically married between the ages of 16 and 20, once they had a job and could support a family.
Interestingly, there was no formal wedding ceremony. A woman was considered married once she moved into her husband’s house, after agreeing on terms like the bride price and exchanging gifts between families. Prenuptial agreements were common, and any possessions the bride brought into the marriage remained hers.
While the main purpose of marriage was to have children, couples were also expected to love and honor each other. Establishing a household was synonymous with taking a wife, and men were expected to love their wives, a duty supported by religious beliefs. Women enjoyed a relatively equal status with men, as it was believed that the goddess Isis made genders equal in power.
After marriage, couples usually moved into their own homes. Each spouse maintained control over their property, and anything acquired during the marriage was jointly owned. Unlike in Rome or Greece, marriage in ancient Egypt was not a religious or state-regulated affair, and marriages were not officially registered.
While royal family members sometimes married siblings, this practice was generally discouraged among the nobility and commoners. Most marriages were arranged for mutual benefit, with the hope that love would grow over time.
Egyptians valued their heritage, tracing ancestry through both maternal and paternal lines. Respect for parents and elders was a key moral value, and the eldest child was responsible for caring for their parents in old age.
Procreation was an important part of ancient Egyptian religion, and they were open about discussing lovemaking, which made Herodotus uncomfortable. Unlike many modern religions, ancient Egyptians did not shy away from the topic. They had various methods for contraception, and it was common for women to become pregnant early in their marriages. Both boys and girls were valued, and there is no evidence of female infanticide, indicating a more progressive attitude toward gender equality.
Pregnant women underwent tests to determine the gender of their child, such as watering crops to see which sprouted first. The birth of a child was a time of joy but also concern due to high infant mortality rates. Childbirth was seen as a natural process, typically assisted by a midwife.
Children were expected to train for adulthood, with boys learning their father’s trade and girls managing household duties. Ancient Egyptians did not place a high value on virginity, as there was no word for it in their language, suggesting premarital intercourse was widely accepted. However, fidelity was expected after marriage.
Marriages were intended to last a lifetime, and couples were believed to continue their commitment in the afterlife. However, if a marriage ended, it was as simple as one or both spouses requesting a divorce, with possessions divided according to the prenuptial agreement. The children belonged to the mother, and she retained custody in the case of divorce.
Despite warnings about infidelity, women enjoyed significant freedom in marriage. They could take their possessions with them if a marriage ended, and only proven infidelity could deprive a woman of her rights. Divorce agreements became more complex over time, with options for alimony payments.
Let us know if you find ancient Egyptian society as modern and open-minded as we do. Also, share which other civilization or period you would like us to explore next. Thanks for joining us on this journey through Nutty History!
Research and create a timeline that highlights key aspects of marriage customs in ancient Egypt. Include details about arranged marriages, the role of pharaohs, and the significance of love and companionship. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually appealing and informative.
In groups, role-play a marriage negotiation between two ancient Egyptian families. Assign roles such as the bride, groom, and family members. Discuss and agree on terms like the bride price and exchange of gifts. Reflect on how these negotiations compare to modern-day marriage customs.
Write a poem inspired by ancient Egyptian art and poetry that celebrates love and companionship. Use imagery and emotions that reflect the values and beliefs of ancient Egyptian couples. Share your poem with the class and discuss the similarities and differences with contemporary expressions of love.
Participate in a class debate on the topic of gender equality in ancient Egypt. Research the roles and rights of men and women, and argue whether ancient Egyptian society was progressive for its time. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments and engage in a respectful discussion.
Create a family tree for a fictional ancient Egyptian family. Include details about family dynamics, social norms, and the importance of ancestry. Illustrate how respect for parents and elders was a key moral value, and explore how these values influenced family relationships and responsibilities.
When the Greek historian Herodotus visited Egypt for the first time, he was astounded by the differences in their society compared to other civilizations he had encountered. He accused them of reversing the ordinary practices of mankind, such as marriage and public displays of affection. Herodotus’s experience in Egypt was nothing less than an eye-opener.
Welcome to Nutty History! Today, let’s explore what love and marriage were like in ancient Egypt and why Herodotus found them shocking.
Marriage in ancient Egypt was primarily arranged and monogamous, although pharaohs were exceptions to this rule. The institution of marriage was aimed at social goals, such as communal stability and generational advancement. However, evidence suggests that romantic love and companionship were also important to the ancient Egyptians. The New Kingdom provides us with art, poetry, and other works praising the virtues of one’s lover or spouse.
For example, the pharaoh known for his intact tomb, Tutankhamun, is depicted in beautiful images with his wife, Ankhesenamun, in romantic poses. Their tomb paintings illustrate their devotion to each other through proximity, hand gestures, and expressions of affection. Sadly, Ankhesenamun disappears from historical records shortly after, possibly indicating her early demise. This theme of couples enjoying life together is common in tomb art.
Ancient Egyptian society was based on the nuclear family, and once a young man reached adolescence, it was appropriate for him to seek a partner. Females were likely considered ready for marriage after their first menstruation. The ideal age for males to marry was generally between 16 and 20, as they would have a job and be able to support a family.
Interestingly, there was no formal wedding ceremony in ancient Egypt. A woman was considered married to a man the moment she entered his house after agreeing on the terms, such as the bride price and reciprocal gifts between families. Prenuptial agreements were common, and whatever possessions the bride brought into the marriage remained hers.
The purpose of marriage was primarily to have children, but couples were also expected to love and honor each other. Taking a wife was synonymous with establishing a household, and men were expected to love their wives, a duty reinforced by religion. Women enjoyed a relatively equal status with men, as it was believed that the goddess Isis made genders equal in power.
After marriage, couples typically moved into their own homes. Each spouse retained control over their property, and anything acquired during the marriage was considered joint ownership. Unlike in Rome or Greece, marriage in ancient Egypt was a non-religious affair, with no state or religious doctrines regulating it. Marriages were not even officially registered.
While royal family members sometimes married their siblings, in-family marriage was generally discouraged among the nobility and commoners. Most marriages were arranged for mutual benefit, with the hope that love would develop over time.
Egyptians took great pride in their heritage, tracing ancestry through both maternal and paternal lines. Respect for parents and elders was a cornerstone of morality, and the eldest child had the duty to care for their parents in their old age.
Procreation was an important aspect of ancient Egyptian religion, and they were open about discussing lovemaking, which made Herodotus uncomfortable. Unlike many modern religions, ancient Egyptians did not shy away from the topic. They had various methods for contraception, and it was common for women to become pregnant early in their marriages. Children of both sexes were valued, and there is no evidence of female infanticide, indicating a more progressive attitude toward gender equality.
Pregnant women underwent tests to determine the gender of their child, including watering crops to see which sprouted first. The birth of a child was a time of joy, but also concern due to high infant mortality rates. Childbirth was viewed as a natural process, typically assisted by a midwife.
Children were expected to train for adulthood, with boys learning their father’s trade and girls managing household duties. Ancient Egyptians did not place a high value on virginity, as there was no word for it in their language, suggesting premarital intercourse was widely accepted. However, fidelity was expected after marriage.
Marriages were intended to last a lifetime, and couples were believed to continue their commitment in the afterlife. However, if a marriage ended, it was as simple as one or both spouses requesting a divorce, with material possessions divided according to the prenuptial agreement. The children belonged to the mother, and she retained custody in the case of divorce.
Despite warnings about infidelity, women enjoyed significant freedom in marriage. They could take their possessions with them if a marriage ended, and only proven infidelity could deprive a woman of her rights. Divorce agreements became more complex over time, with options for alimony payments.
Tell us in the comments if you are surprised to find ancient Egyptian society as modern and open-minded as we are. Also, let us know which other civilization or period you would like us to cover in this series. As always, thanks for watching Nutty History!
Love – A deep affection and care for someone or something, often forming the basis of relationships and social bonds. – In ancient societies, love was often expressed through poetry and art, reflecting its importance in human connections.
Marriage – A legally or formally recognized union between two people, often establishing rights and obligations between them. – In many ancient cultures, marriage was a crucial institution that helped maintain social order and alliances.
Ancient – Belonging to the very distant past, especially to the period before the end of the Roman Empire. – The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt laid the foundations for many aspects of modern society.
Egypt – A country in northeastern Africa, known for its ancient civilization and monumental architecture such as the pyramids. – Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest and most influential civilizations in human history.
Family – A group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, often considered the basic unit of society. – In many ancient cultures, the family was central to social structure and economic activity.
Customs – Traditional practices and behaviors that are characteristic of a particular society or community. – The customs of ancient Rome included elaborate public ceremonies and festivals.
Gender – The social and cultural roles, behaviors, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women. – In ancient Greece, gender roles were clearly defined, with men participating in public life and women managing the household.
Equality – The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. – The concept of equality has evolved over time, with significant progress made during the civil rights movements of the 20th century.
Divorce – The legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body. – In ancient Rome, divorce was relatively common and could be initiated by either spouse.
Rights – Legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement. – The Magna Carta is a historic document that laid the groundwork for the development of individual rights in Western societies.
