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| The Butcher (2450 BCE) |
Unlike women, men were on the top of the "food chain." Men would typically inherit their father's job and make sure to provide for their family. If his wife bore boys then his duty was to teach them the way of his profession and many other manly duties. Depending on social status men may have varying duties such as the pharaohs would not have to deal with hard manual labor. Men are typically the ones portrayed in Egyptian art. Pharaoh's were usually men however there have been a few exceptions to this. If you'd like to learn more about one of the only woman pharaohs of Egypt check out one of my earlier posts entitled The Woman Pharaoh. Men would dress in a wrap around white linen skirt held up by a belt. It's funny how skirts are now considered a girl thing but the men of Egypt were rocking it for centuries. In ancient Egypt family was an important aspect of society. The man of the household had to teach his children everything he knew as well as nurture them. However women did most of that work. *cough cough* Just saying. So like my previous post I'm not just going to be throwing out facts because that gets boring. Let's read a journal entry from a boy coming of age in Egypt. (Disclaimer: This is all fictional)
April 20th, 2950
Dear Papyrus Scroll,
Yes I know I'm literate which is uncommon for someone like me. I've been kind of teaching myself and sneaking my way into the schools that teach scribes to write. I know I shouldn't do it but I enjoy writing a lot. I don't want to become a farmer like my father. I have passions and I just really do not want to spend countless hours outside. A scribe is exempt from manual labor! Those people are living the dream and I'm sitting her expecting to marry my sister when I'm only in love with one woman. That woman is the sleek stylus that creates perfect harmony with you papyrus scroll. You know what else I've noticed? That my father keeps talking about my children and how I have to raise my boys to be strong, hardworking men. Sadly I'm not even thinking about children because the idea of procreation sounds disgusting especially with a woman like my sister. I just wish Osiris could just take me away I don't want to live my life as a peasant. Eating all of this wheat is driving me nuts. I remember one time I stole fish from the market. Don't tell anyone but I ate it raw and it was amazing. I wish I could be the pharaoh sometimes he has best of both worlds. He is literate and gets all the fish in the world. I’m going to give offering to Isis tomorrow to grant me the ability to become a scribe or a pharaoh. Oh I better go I hear footsteps approaching I need to pretend I'm working on the crop.
Sincerely,
| Amun |
If you'd like to learn more about gender roles check out these sites!
http://ancientegypt916.weebly.com/roles-and-responsibilities.html
http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/people/gender.htm
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