Ancient Egyptian and Greek Law and Women

There were many differences between Greek and Egyptian legislation in regard to women. Egyptian law gave women a social status and independence not found in Greek law. She could do whatever she pleased with herself or with her belongings with no restrictions.

Egyptian women could marry at their own will under conditions that were usually a burden on the husband. Polygamy was quite impossible in practice although in principle it was allowed. Egyptian women could divorce at their own wish.

Many experts believe that Egyptian law accepted two kinds of marriages, full marriages and pleasure marriages. The full marriage was documented by contract. The pleasure marriage was a temporary marriage for a specified period and could convert afterward to a full marriage.

In both Greek and Egyptian laws, both parties had the right to divorce. Divorce would take place merely by issuing a document stating that no party was obligated any longer toward the other. This legislation saved women from the hardships of life.

On the other hand, women were considered minors under Greek law. In Greece, women needed a legal guardian for all her actions.

During the reign of the Ptolemaics, they made the Egyptian woman equal to her Greek counterpart by reducing her status