Wives, Mothers` Position during Ancient Times

All the people of the world celebrate International Women Day for their great role in the lives of all peoples. A woman is the backbone of the growth and progress of any society.

During the Egyptian ancient time, mothers used to obtain some honorary titles that demonstrate respect for her by society, such as the death of Mot Nesr (the mother of God) and protected Nesut (the mother of the king).

As for the Egyptian royal traditions, mothers were playing a prominent role. They represented the "bridge" the king must cross in order to reach the throne of the country, as the traditions required that the ruler of the country must be from a royal mother.

The ancient Egyptian cared about motherhood in everything in his life, as he embodied that on statues and inside tombs, which contain many ancient Egyptian artistic models, mimic that interest.

Among the tombs of the modern state, there are many papyri that contained examples of traditional texts for  mothers on their feasts.

For Mother’s Day, they chose the last months of the Nile’s flood, when fertile land is prepared to sow seeds - or the seeds of life that bring life to Earth. It was Hattur month in the ancient calendar, which means the house of God.

The ancient Egyptian portrayed the universe in his theory of creation, likening the sky (the goddess Nut) to the mothers who bore the sun, gives birth to it every day, and at the end of the day swallows it.

Mother was an important reference in the formation of the religion. Nutis, Nephthys, then Hattur, and others were examples of the greatness of the mother's position with them.

The goddess Hattur appeared with images and characteristics and she was sanctified in many places. She was known as the goddess of motherhood and benevolence, merged with Isis, and was compared in the country of Greece to the goddess Aphrodite (Venus). Hattur was known as the mother goddess because of the female forms she carries.

Ancient Egyptian literature dealt with women's lives as an essential partner in life.

Through the story of eloquent villager, we find that women bear responsibility with their husbands and  manage house affairs when the husbands are absent.

Among the most prominent queens who ruled Egypt were Cleopatra, Marit Nate, Hatshepsut, Khintakus, TA, Sirte and Sabk Nefro.

Contributed by Ahmad El-Assasy