Gender roles in Ancient Egypt: 3100 BC

     Although gender roles were similar in most societies (male dominated) during the emerging of Empires, one does stand out as different. Egypt was seen as the "reverse" culture out of the societies present at this time. Different style of writing, interaction with animals, and religion are all notable differences recorded by Herodotus in his comparison of Persian and Egyptian culture to that of his Greek culture in Ways of the World page 137. Religion being very prominent in Egypt, in comparison to other cultures, worship was taken seriously and there were a number of both gods and goddess to worship.  Goddess, such as Isis, as well as male gods were highly praised and central to Egyptian life. This equality of both male and female god speaks for the equality in Egyptian culture itself. Although women could not be priest, they were allowed to participate in trade. Men were also often seen at home doing domestic work like weaving. This reversal was uncommon in other cultures, but very telling of how Egyptians viewed gender. 

Depiction of the Egyptian goddess Isis

State and Empires in Eurasia: 750 B.C.E - 5th century C.E.

       This rise in male dominance can be seen in the formation of Empires. Men were in wars to conquer land, and upper-class males were the ones who had authority.  With the rise of the Empire came a rise in more gender roles. The concept of masculinity was becoming more prevalent, particularity in Roman society. Because of this, gender roles between men and women became more concrete.  Upper-class males were seen as a solider and owner of property. This complete power transferred into the home life where the male would have power over his wife, children, and slaves. Sons were highly values, as they could become soldiers. Due to conquest, both men and women were also brought to Rome as slaves at this time.
    
     On the other hand, upper-class women in Rome in the early Common Era lead lives allowing them to control their own finances, participate in the growing economy. "According to one scholar, Roman women of the wealthier classes gained 'almost complete liberty in matters of property and marriage.'" (Ways of the World page 117) 

     With Empires, also came resistance to them. China controlled Vietnam through tax collection, forcing Chinese culture within Vietnam, and even the rights to live stock there. Trung Trac and Trun Nhi, two wealthy Vietnamese sisters from a military family, fought against China after the murder of Trung Trac's husband who acted as an advocate for Vietnam. Trung Trac stated "Foremost I will avenge my country. Second I will restore the Hung lineage. Third I will avenge the death of my husband. Lastly I vow that these goals will be accomplished." And she did. Ruling an independent as co-queens for almost two years over after fighting off the Chinese. The rebellion included over two dozen female "generals" and captured sixty-five Chinese towns. Eventually the rebellion died and China resumed power, it is bleieved the two sisters commited suicide. This acts as an early account of women empowerment. "Men were reminded that women had led this rebellion. 'What a pity,' wrote a thirteenth-century Vietnamese historian, 'that for a thousand years after this, the men of our land bowed their heads, folded their arms, and served the northerners [Chinese].'" (Ways of the World page 124) 

Painting of Trung Trac and Trung Nhi's rebellion against China 

Paleolithic Era: the roots of gender roles 3500-500 BCE

    During the Paleolithic era, humans began to form small groups of nomadic people. As nomadic people, the societies would move in accordance with the seasons as hunter gatherers. Men and women lived as equals, compared to later periods in history. The work of men and women was evenly distributed, both roles playing a vital role in their survival. Women gathered crops and men hunted animals. Men and women also engaged in monogamous long-term relationships. These views seem to of carried into later times, forming gender roles of the future. While that being said, taboo topics such as virginity and divorce were not an issue in societies. Divorce allowed couples to move on freely from unsatisfactory marriages. The concept of virginity appeared to be unknown by societies at this point, as well as rape or wife beating. Because of this, women and men were equals in this aspect as well.

     Feminine energy was also prevalent during this time. The Great Goddess, a figurine of Venus (below), was believed to be a symbol of life and regeneration.

Following the Ice Age, the "Neolithic Revolution" occurred. During this time, humans developed a more stable life style, driving away the nomadic way of life and towards agriculture. This was due to a much more stable climate that humans had not seen until now. The stable climate allowed people in Eurasia and North Africa to remain in one place, while other areas, such as the Americas, struggled more due to a less stable climate. Agricultural communities continued to show social and gender equality as seen in hunter gatherer societies. In villages, women maintained their role as farmers, while also spinning textiles. Men continued to maintain the role as the hunter, but also engaged in more domesticated work as well as the women such as making tools.

Around Central Asia, Arabian Peninsula, South Africa, and the Shahara another type of community began to form. Branching off from the nomadic lifestyle was also Pastoral communities, instead of remaining in one place, like agricultural societies, pastoral people became herders; a nomadic people relying on domesticated animals for survival. Women in these societies were designated to produce textiles and milk the animals. After the domestication horses, women rode with men and participated in battles. "A number of archaeological sites around the Black Sea have revealed high-status women buried with armor, swords, daggers, and arrows." (Ways of the World pg 41) Women were also highly reverend in religious life as suggested by being buried with healers.

Descendants in some communities were traced through female lines. Men would often move in with the wive's family. While in other communities, descendants were traced by the male lines and wives would move into their husband's home. This split in gender roles indicates that gender roles were formed based off of the culture people lived in, rather than division of labor or power.

A figure of the Great Goddess, Venus

Welcome

This blog will follow gender roles in world history starting from human origins to the 1600. My primary source will be the text Ways of the World.