Ancient Egypt is renowned as a sophisticated---and very distant---civilization where the ancient Egyptians worshipped a vibrant pantheon of gods and built some of the most elaborate monuments in human history. Yet, at the same time, ancient Egypt seems strangely familiar. Women, as well as men, went to work, made fun of those in authority, drank too much, and made fools of themselves. Even the ancients thought Egypt and its women unusual: Herodotus, the Greek historian claimed that the Egyptians in their manners and customs seem to have reversed the ordinary practices of mankind. For instance, women attend market and are employed in trade, while men stay at home and do the weaving... The goddess Hathor, the most important goddess of ancient Egypt, in many ways exemplified contradictions in the way ancient Egyptian women were considered. She was a goddess of love, beauty and gentleness, but at times she could also be a blood-lusting monster. Hathor was also a goddess of worlds not quite our own, and perhaps the ancient Egyptians also saw their women as other-worldly? Carolyn Graves-Brown tells the story of the women of ancient Egypt, from goddesses to dancing girls, queens to housewives and offers a reconstruction of this most exotic and intriguing, yet oddly familiar, society.

The fragmentary evidence allows us only tantalising glimpses of the sophisticated and complex society of the ancient Egyptians, but the Greek historian Herodotus believed that the Egyptians had 'reversed the ordinary practices of mankind' in treating their women better than any of the other civilizations of the ancient world . Carolyn Graves-Brown draws on funerary remains, tomb paintings, architecture and textual evidence to explore all aspects of women in Egypt from goddesses and queens to women as the 'vessels of creation'. Perhaps surprisingly the most common career for women, after housewife and mother, was the priesthood, where women served deities, notably Hathor, with music and dance. Many would come to the temples of Hathor to have their dreams interpreted, or to seek divine inspiration. This is a wide ranging and revealing account told with authority and verve.

" ... explores the pivotal place of the fiery serpent-eye goddess, Hathor-Sekhmet, in the mysteries of Osiris, the Egyptian god of the dead. Weaving together myths, rituals and temple art, it recreates the craft world of ancient Memphis, with its heart-centred religion and vitalizing feminine divinities."--Page 4 of cover

Dotawo: A Journal of Nubian Studies offers a platform in which the old meets the new, in which archaeological, papyrological, and philological research into Meroitic, Old Nubian, Coptic, Greek, and Arabic sources confront current investigations in modern anthropology and ethnography, Nilo-Saharan linguistics, and the critical and theoretical approaches of postcolonial and African studies. Dotawo gives a common home to the past, present, and future of one of the richest areas of research in African studies. It offers a crossroads where papyrus can meet the internet, scribes meet critical thinkers, and the promises of growing nations meet the accomplishments of older kingdoms. Volume 5 of Dotawo focuses on Nubian women, both ancient and contemporary. Nubian women, whether they were queens or commoners, Christians or Muslims, have always been held in high esteem by their communities. The articles in this volume of Dotawo focus on the ways in which Nubian women survive and thrive throughout the centuries. TABLE OF CONTENTS // Armgard Goo-Grauer, "House Decoration in Egyptian Nubia Prior to 1964" Doris Pemler, "Looking at Nubians in Egypt: Nubian Women in New Kingdom Tomb and Temple Scenes and the Case of TT 40 (Amenemhet Huy)" Solange Ashby, "Dancing for Hathor: Nubian Women in Egyptian Cultic Life" Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei and Alexandros Tsakos, "An Old Nubian Letter from the Daughter of an Eparch" Hanna Paesler, "The Effects of Relocation on Nubian Women's Health" Petra Weschenfelder, "A Collective Gender Perception? Female Perspectives towards Resettlement in the Dar al-Manāsīr" Naglaa Mahmoud, "Islam, Migration, and Nubian Women in Egypt: Muhammad Khalil Qāsim's al-Shamandurah & al-Khalah Aycha" Ghada Abdel Hafeez, "The Nile Bride Myth 'Revisioned' in Nubian Literature" Marcus Jaeger, "Aspects of Gender in Dongolawi and Kenzi Nubian Wise Sayings and Proverbs" Zeina Elcheikh, "Tales from Two Villages: Nubian Women and Cultural Tourism in Gharb Soheil and Ballana" Maher Habbob, "Community Sharing: Three Nubian Women, Three Types of Informal Co-ops"

The private letters of ancient women in Egypt from Alexander the Great to the Arab conquest

It is 1300 BC and Ramesses the Great has become the king of ancient Egypt. Twelve year old Hathor dreams of being a painter in the royal tombs. In the workmen’s village of Deir el Medina, Hathor learns painting and hieroglyphics. Can a young girl overcome obstacles and earn a position as a painter in the tomb of Queen Nefertari?

The new edition of the popular survey of Near Eastern civilization from the Bronze Age to the era of Alexander the Great A Companion to the Ancient Near East explores the history of the region from 4400 BCE to the Macedonian conquest of the Persian Empire in 330 BCE. Original and revised essays from a team of distinguished scholars from across disciplines address subjects including the politics, economics, architecture, and heritage of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Part of the Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World series, this acclaimed single-volume reference combines lively writing with engaging and relatable topics to immerse readers in this fascinating period of Near East history. The new second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to include new developments in relevant fields, particularly archaeology, and expand on themes of interest to contemporary students. Clear, accessible chapters offer fresh discussions on the history of the family and gender roles, the literature, languages, and religions of the region, pastoralism, medicine and philosophy, and borders, states, and warfare. New essays highlight recent discoveries in cuneiform texts, investigate how modern Egyptians came to understand their ancient history, and examine the place of archaeology among the historical disciplines. This volume: Provides substantial new and revised content covering topics such as social conflict, kingship, cosmology, work, trade, and law Covers the civilizations of the Sumerians, Hittites, Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Israelites, and Persians, emphasizing social and cultural history Examines the legacy of the Ancient Near East in the medieval and modern worlds Offers a uniquely broad geographical, chronological, and topical range Includes a comprehensive bibliographical guide to Ancient Near East studies as well as new and updated references and reading suggestions Suitable for use as both a primary reference or as a supplement to a chronologically arranged textbook, A Companion to the Ancient Near East, 2nd Edition is a valuable resource for advanced undergraduates, beginning graduate students, instructors in the field, and scholars from other disciplines.