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Daughters of Isis: Women of Ancient Egypt Paperback – September 1, 1995

by Joyce A. Tyldesley (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 108 ratings
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In ancient Egypt women enjoyed a legal, social and sexual independence unrivalled by their Greek or Roman sisters, or in fact by most women until the late nineteenth century. They could own and trade in property, work outside the home, marry foreigners and live alone without the protection of a male guardian. Some of them even rose to rule Egypt as ‘female kings’. Joyce Tyldesley’s vivid history of how women lived in ancient Egypt weaves a fascinating picture of daily life – marriage and the home, work and play, grooming and religion – viewed from a female perspective, in a work that is engaging, original and constantly surprising.
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  1. Part of series
    Penguin History
  2. Print length
    336 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Penguin Books
  5. Publication date
    September 1, 1995
  6. Dimensions
    5.11 x 0.6 x 7.75 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0140175962
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0140175967
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Histories of women usually bring with them histories of women's world and women's work--in other words, the daily life of a culture. This look at ancient Egyptian women is no different. British archaeologist and researcher Tyldesley illuminates women's positions as cooks, washerwomen, dancers, mourners, weavers, priestesses, mothers, wives and--on very rare occasions--pharaohs. Tyldesley doesn't try to simplify a subject complicated by linguistic subtleties, lack of archaeological evidence, ancient propaganda and the orientalist mythology of seething harems that early excavators imposed on ambiguous digs. What she does, and does well, is give an idea of what evidence is available and, in accessible, slyly cheery prose, recreate how women (and men) shopped, dressed and ate (``the menus of the poor and less enterprising usually involved a fairly dull and rather flatulent rotation of bread, onions, lettuce, radish and pulses''). Most intriguing, though, are Tyldesley's all-too-brief initial observations of the standing of Egyptian women. For all its emphasis on tradition, Egypt differed from much of the worst of Graeco-Roman paternalism: women were important factors in a child's heredity, not just passive bearers of men's genetics; they could own property; make legally binding contracts; sue; and, most amazingly, live alone.

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

During the dynastic period (3000 BC - 332 BC), as the Greek historian Herodotus was intrigued to observe, Egyptian women enjoyed a legal, social and sexual independence unrivalled by their Greek or Roman sisters, unrivalled, indeed, by women in Europe until the late nineteenth century. They could own and trade in property, work outside the home, marry foreigners and even live alone without the protection of a male guardian. Furthermore, women fortunate enough to be members of the royal harem were vastly influential, as were those rare women who rose to rule Egypt as 'female kings'. Joyce Tyldesley draws upon archaeological, historical and ethnographical evidence to piece together a vivid picture of daily life in Egypt - marriage and the home, work and play, grooming, religion - all viewed from a female perspective. She has an engaging eye for incidental detail and draws fascinating parallels and contrasts between the ancient and our modern world.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books; Reprint edition (September 1, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140175962
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140175967
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.11 x 0.6 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

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Joyce Tyldesley

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
108 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kat K. Munro
5.0 out of 5 stars From Queens to Slaves--A Scholarly Work of Egyptian Women
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2001
Verified Purchase
This book is an excellent scholarly study of the women of Ancient Egypt. Pulling exclusively from written accounts and archaeology finds, Ms. Tyldesley remarks on what we know of all facets of the lives of the women of this age. She is careful to admit when we don't have enough knowledge to guess the meaning of this, or the customary use of that. She is never afraid to admit we just don't know for sure.
The great scope of this work manages to be laid out in an easy to read and understand format that is entertaining as well as informative. Interspersed throughout the text is quotes from various ancient translated sources that give an insight to daily life and beliefs. The book also is wonderful because it looks at both the wealthy Queens and the lowly servants, the slaves, the merchant's wives.
What did they wear? Why did they wear wigs and shave their natural hair? What jobs did women hold? How were marriages arranged? Did harems of women really exist? Which women ruled Egypt alone? What rights did women have in Ancient Egypt? What was day to day life like? Why was Ancient Egypt the very best society for women at the time? What did they eat?
It is all explained with supporting information, footnotes, and an extensive bibliography to advance your search for information after you've read this book. Highly recommended addition to your library!
41 people found this helpful
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Xoe Li Lu
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Glimpse at the Women of Ancient Egypt
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2001
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Egyptologist Joyce Tyldesley has provided us with a stunning rare glimpse into the lives of ancient Egyptian common and royal women. This informative, well-researched book discusses the role women played in Egyptian art; marriage; common household life; women's work and leisure activities; grooming; royal women (from harem members to the female pharoahs); religious life and funerary customs for women. Tyldesley explores every aspect of the lives of these ancient women - from their daily chores and child-rearing practices to their marital relationships and religious affiliations to descriptions of elaborate hairstyles, clothing and jewelry. Tyldesley provides plenty of interesting photographs and drawings to illustrate her fascinating text, and includes an informative geographical and historical background, maps and a historical chronology of events to help orient the reader. The book is extremely well organized and well written. You will come away with a real understanding of and appreciation for the lives of ancient Egyptian women.
15 people found this helpful
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doc peterson
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent social history AND detailed history of women in Ancient Egypt
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2012
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_Daughters of Isis_ is remarkable in its historical detail, scope and scholarship. Beginning with a discussion of the portrayal of women in art and literature (art showing an idealized view of Egyptian life and gender roles, literature - and literacy - of women somewhat more difficult to gauge), Tyldesley critically examines the roles of women as mothers and wives, at work and play, and in religion (as participants and within the pantheon.) Frankly I was astounded at the amount of information and supporting detail discussed here. It gives no only a close view of women in particular, but of Egyptian society at large as well.

The pentultimate chapter on female pharohs was very good as well. Typcially, in disucussing women in ancient Egypt, the tendency is to pay more attention to these roles rather than the more "mundane" and less flashy experiences of the majority of women. The reverse is the case in _Daughters of Isis_. In examining women as king, Tyldesley explores six women rulers (two of whom may be more legend than fact), the bulk of the chapter discussing Hatshepsut and Nefertiti. That comparatively so little of the book is devoted to these women, however is a strength: while these women were unique and are fascinating, undue attention to them distracts and detracts from the other roles the majority of women played: as musicians, wives, daughters, in business, as midwives and in a myriad of other occupations.

In writing about these ooft unsung places of women, a broader social history of Egypt is also portrayed. For example, one can hardly discuss the various hats women wore as wives and mothers without also discussing gender roles, the nature of the Egyptian home and the social network women developed. This would be an excellent companion text with  Growing Up In Ancient Egypt  for anyone interested in a social history of the time.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Angela Sung
5.0 out of 5 stars Examine women's status in different aspects
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2022
Verified Purchase
It is the second book I read from this author and she always introduced the topic in an organised and informative way. Although the book may not be very up-to-date, it provides a basic understanding on the living conditions and social status of ancient Egyptian women in terms of working, conveyancing, doing business, maintaining the ownership of their dowry, applying law, and performing religious duties, etc.

It also discusses the definition of the Royal harem and the relationship between the ladies living in the confined area and the Pharoh. Surprising to many, women in the Royal harem may not necessarily be one of the wives, concubines or daughters of the Pharoh. It is more like a big firm consisting of employees with different roles but with a much stricter hierarchy.

Besides, female queens and Pharohs with outstanding political intelligence and excellent diplomatic skills are explored, including famous names such as Nefertiti and Hepshesut. However, in a society dominated by men, most of their records and monuments were deleted and defaced, increasing difficulties for archaeologists and historians to recover their full lives.

That being said, ancient Egyptian women had a higher social status than their contemporary counterparts in Hittites, Mesopotamia, and Greece, which were not eligible for most of the rights and freedom enjoyed by Egyptian women.
2 people found this helpful
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Jose G.
4.0 out of 5 stars It saved my day
Reviewed in Germany on September 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
Well written.
Sensible price.
Good book.
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annette savoie
5.0 out of 5 stars informative, the girls had more rights in their time ...
Reviewed in Canada on June 8, 2018
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informative ,the girls had more rights in their time ,than some now
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SMG
4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2004
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An interesting book about the lives of women in ancient Egypt. There isn't a lot of hard evidence of how women lived their lives mainly due to the fact that women were uneducated and illiterate. Quite a lot of the information is guesswork but the author is rigorous in pointing this out and explaining why she has arrived at her conclusions. It does read a little dry in places, especially towards the end but at less than 300 pages isn't a massive read.
8 people found this helpful
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Mrs. Chadwick
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2007
Verified Purchase
One of the many books I've read by Joyce A. Tyldesley over the last 15 months.

I class myself to be very lucky as I've been to the "Land of the Pharaohs" back in the 1990's and seen their great temples and places of worship. If you have ever been able to go there you'll know what I mean about them being an advanced civilisation with everything they built and what tool they had to use to do it with. I'm studying Egyptology with Exeter University and I'm in my second year.

It's a great book for people who just want to learn about great Ancient Egyptian women and their everyday life, and how they had equality between the sexes. Also great for anyone who is interested in studying this Egyptology.

Well done Joyce, I love your books keep up the fantastic work. :-)
3 people found this helpful
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