Marriage and Family Relationships in Ancient Egypt. Part One

Over the long years in human history, the practice of incestual marriage is not unusual among members of the royal family. However, in the case of the pharaoh's wedding, endogamy is almost unreasonable, including the incest case.

Endogamy (from other Greek - ἔνδον - inside + γάμος - marriage) - marriage in certain groups or social categories (eg, castes, castes, confessional communities)

Want to become a pharaoh - marry your sister

Fararon Menkaure and his wife
This madness is not a trade motive for the preservation of property within the family. Such marriage is necessary to "confirm" the divine origin of pharaoh, God's governor on earth, and confirmation of the genealogy that comes from the god Horus (Horus). It is understood that the Egyptian ruler must be clean, the noble blood, born of a marriage between members of the royal family - the direct descendants of Horus.

Such a support from the marriage of relatives among the members of the pharaoh's family was an ancient Egyptian mythology, which explains that all life on earth comes from a family relationship between the gods.

The family of the Pharaohs since time immemorial marriage between close relatives is almost mandatory, the conditional prototype is the mythical myth of brother and sister - Osiris and Isis, who came into this world to bring mankind to civilization and to preach the wisdom and omnipotence of the gods. The pharaoh, which is the embodiment of the god Horus (son of Osiris and Isis), is to transfer the divine status to his successor. Thus, without hesitation to take the wives of their homes or half-brothers (as Taa Seqenenre II, Ahmose I, Amenophis I, Thutmoses I, Thutmoses IV, Ramesses II, Merenpta and Saptah), or his own daughter (Amenophis II, Ehnaton and Ramses II - who married his four daughters - Bintanat, Meritamon, Nebettavi and Henutmira) or even aunt or grandmother of the house (Seti II and Pepi II).

Ptolemy II and his successors were simpler, some married only with one of their sisters. Despite the fact that the descendants of the priests of Alexander of Macedon were Greek blood, they were also careful to obey the practice of ancient Egypt in terms of marriage policy, in fact, as in other aspects of the life of the ancient Egyptians.

It is interesting that the study of many marriages of the 18th, 19th and Ptolemaic dynasties did not reveal signs of degeneration caused by constant incest. (Unless, perhaps, the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who (as the latest research shows) has an undeveloped hand, a hump and chrome on one leg, and a baby born in such a marriage often dies.

Tutankhamun with his wife
But it must be noted that in the family of Ancient Egypt, relationships were often built on love and not separated from romance.

Statue of the New Kingdom period couples
Many images of the tomb show gestures between husband and wife - the couple, touching each other gently, caressing, offering gifts and smiling. In the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun portrayed many romantic scenes with his wife, queen Angesenamon.

Fragment of fresco
Although the main criterion for partners in ancient Egypt is their own inviolability and custom, many royal couples prefer romantic love, because it is believed that family relationships go beyond worldly life, and nobody wants to be unhappy in marriage forever.

Presented a lot of dedication and poetry that glorifies the concept of romance in Egyptian couples, including posthumous love ode grieving husbands or widower pleas, begging their deceased wives, stop torturing them from the world.

What is given to Caesar, do not look at the locksmith
However, it should be noted that incest and all kinds of marriages on their own aunt, their grandmother only approved (approved) by members of the ancient Egyptian royal family. Ordinary people, do you even love your grandmother, or, for example, your own sister is not allowed into family relationships. And in general - the marriage institution in the pyramid country is correctly placed from a legal standpoint.

More attention is paid to a woman's happiness than a man. It is assumed that a man should give his wife in a way that will please her and ensure a happy life. In turn, it is implied that she will be happy to provide accurate household services and ensure proper parenting for children. For the husband, this means that even if he does not love his wife very much, he can feel satisfied and happy.

Marriage is normal and desirable for the ancient Egyptians of all social classes (here and further rules for the wedding of the pharaohs are not included). Ordinary people are allowed to build family relationships outside of their pedigree, except in a separate marriage between cousin and sister, which of course must be resolved by the head of the local community.

Girls get married at age 12, and boys are 15 years old, although the average age is 14 years for women and 18-20 for men. It is believed that at this age the young man has accepted his father's skills in any craft and begins to practice in it, while the girl, if he is not a member of the royal family, is adequately trained in household management, youth care and elderly family members and pets .

To be Continued....