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Ancient Egyptian Society and Family Life
Douglas J. Brewer, Emily Teeter
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| Seminar Introduction |
 What was daily life like for the ancient Egyptians? In many ways, people today share similar values and life ways--a strong emphasis on the nuclear family, the love for social activities, and an attachment to appearance and fashion. In this seminar Emily Teeter, an Egyptologist at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, and Douglas J. Brewer, professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois, Urbana, investigate the particular values and societal expectations of the ancient Egyptians. While the nuclear family was the core of Egyptian society, marriage and marriage contracts were largely seen as a means of regulating the transfer of property. Compared to other areas of the ancient world, Egyptian women held stronger social positions and expanded legal rights, which included the ability to hold and bequeath property and the right to initiate divorce. Children--both male and female--held a valued position in the family. Socially, the ancient Egyptians enjoyed many of the pleasures people cherish today: music, song, dance, games, and drink.
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| Learning Objectives |
- Relate the importance of the nuclear family to ancient Egyptian society.
- Describe how children were valued in the family unit.
- Identify the ways in which women in society held equal rights to their male counterparts.
- Describe the styles of fashion and costume and their role in Egyptian society.
- Recount the entertainment habits and customs the ancient Egyptians followed.
- Contrast ancient and modern society.
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| Sessions |
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| Credits |
This seminar is extracted from Chapter 7 of Egypt and the Egyptians, Cambridge University Press, 2001. Copyright Douglas J. Brewer and Emily Teeter 1999.
 | The richness of more than 3000 years of Egyptian civilization comes alive in the pages of this book. From the geology of the land, the first cities, social structure, religion, mummification and burial practices, languages, temple and house architecture and art, Egypt and the Egyptians is a comprehensive treatment of ancient Egypt. The illustrations, many appearing here for the first time, and extensive quotes from ancient letters, hymns, funerary texts and law codes, enliven the text. The result is a rare combination of up-to-date Egyptological and anthropological research, giving the reader the most current and expansive examination of Egypt. It is written for students, and for the general reader interested in this ancient land and its people. The extensive bibliography, suggestions for further reading, and glossary, make this book an excellent resource for exploring any aspect of ancient Egypt. Egypt and the Egyptians
Brewer, Douglas and Teeter, Emily
Paperback (1999) |
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| Technical Requirements |
To appreciate this seminar experience, it is critical that you have the appropriate software, plug-ins, and network connections. Please take the time to download the latest versions of the plug-ins mentioned below if you do not already have them. Browser: Netscape versions 4.x up to 4.76, or Internet Explorer versions 4.x or later. Your browser must be JavaScript-enabled and must be set to accept cookies.
Network Connection: The recommended minimum connection is 56Kbps with a throughput of 34Kbps or more. A faster connection is encouraged to take better advantage of the media elements in the seminar.
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