Woman in inheritance laws in Ancient Egypt

Author

Assistant Lecturer at Faculty of Archaeology-Sohag University

Abstract

Abstract: From a law perspective, elite women and men were virtually equal, and they could deal with property on equal terms with men, and they were able to represent themselves in the statutory bodies for litigations and concluding the contracts and testaments. The woman in pharaonic time could possess all types of property, immovable and movable. This research paper was prepared to highlight the contribution that women made in the inheritance process. She was attested as a testatrix since the era of the Great Pyramid. She worked testatrix for her children and non-blood relatives. Also, the texts display that the heiress inherited a share equal to the male heir, but he preceded her in choosing the shares. The female inheritors in immovable and movable properties.
Furthermore, the wife acted as trustee for her minor children and seized the entire estate on their behalf. In the same vein, the eldest daughter can administrate the inheritance on behalf of the underage co-heirs, whether females or males. The women were summoned as witnesses in the disputes that arose over the inherited property. They also acted as witnesses in the last wills and testaments. Finally, the enslaved females were regarded as belongings of their master; he could transfer them through inheritance.

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Main Subjects

References

References
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