Righteous women: Asiya bint Muzahim, Maryam bint Imran and Fatima bint Muhammad. Wives of the pharaohs and their different statuses in the history of ancient Egypt What the pharaohs and their wives looked like

Asia is the wife of Pharaoh, who raised the prophet Moses. Different peoples called and call this woman differently. Asiya and Asiyat are one and the same. Asiyat. When Asiyat was still in her mother's womb, her father Muzahim had a dream that a tree grew on his back, and a black raven knocked on this tree. “This is my tree,” he said, sitting down on it. At that moment Muzahim woke up, but could not interpret his dream, so he went to a man who knew how to do it. “You will have a glorious daughter, but her fate is connected with an infidel, next to whom she will die,” Muzahim explained that dream. Soon Asiyat was born. When she was twenty years old, some bird dropped pearls on the hem of her dress, and then, turning to Asiyat, said: “When these pearls turn green, you will get married, and when they turn red, you will become a suicide bomber.” After this, Asiyat became famous among the people; she did only good to people. Rumors about her reached the pharaoh, and he sent matchmakers to her father. Muzahim did not like this very much; he wanted to refuse him under the pretext that Asiyat was still too young. But Pharaoh did not want to listen to him. Then Muzahim demanded a ransom. Pharaoh flatly refused to pay it. Asiyat refused to marry him even if he paid the ransom: she did not like a man who declared himself God. “You stick to your religion, and he stick to his,” her father told her. Finally she agreed, and the pharaoh also fulfilled her father’s demand and gave the ransom - ten yakiyas of silver and gold. Especially for her, he built a large palace, assigned maids to her and held a magnificent wedding.................................... .. The merciless pharaoh brutally tortured her, nailing her legs and arms, and warned that he would slaughter her children if she did not believe in him. But this did not frighten Mashitat, so the pharaoh killed her children one by one and burned Mashitat in the oven. When she died, the angels congratulated each other that she would now be with them, and went down for her. Asiyat saw how they ascended with the soul of Mashitat, and this strengthened her faith even more. She developed a feeling of admiration for her death, and Asiyat prayed to the Almighty to prepare a place for her in Paradise next to Him. Asiyat completely lost her patience and, turning to the pharaoh, reminded him of all his ruthless actions. “How long will you enjoy His gifts without knowing Him?” Pharaoh was confused by such a surprise and called all the viziers to see how Musa (peace be upon him) drove Asiyat crazy. They also called Asiyat’s mother to see how her daughter was bewitched. She asked her daughter to obey Pharaoh, but Asiyat brought evidence that her Lord is Allah, who created the Universe, and that Musa (peace be upon him) is His messenger. After consulting with the viziers, the pharaoh came to the decision to kill Asiyat. She was burned in the same way as Mashitat. There is a version according to which Asiyat’s hands and feet were nailed. During the torture, the angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) commanded her to raise her head, and she saw the house prepared for her in Paradise, and laughed with joy, forgetting about the torment. The angel gave her a drink from Paradise and told her another good news that in Paradise she would be the wife of the Prophet Muhammad. The laughter of Asiyat in his death throes struck the pharaoh, and he called everyone to look at his wife who had gone crazy. Thus ended the life of the woman who raised the prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and did not lose faith in the one Creator, despite all the difficulties that the Almighty sent her.

Answer:

The Quran reports that she found Musa (alayhi salam) and took him to the palace. In the year of the birth of Musa (alaihi salam), Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn boys of the sons of Israel.

By order of Allah Almighty, Musa’s mother put him in a box and lowered him into the waters of the Nile. When the box with the child floated past the pharaoh's palace, the maids found it and brought it to her. Seeing the child, Asia's heart was filled with love for him. And despite strong desire pharaoh to kill this child, Asia prevented this, and managed to persuade the pharaoh to keep the child for himself.

Despite the fact that Asiya (radiyallahu anha) was the wife of such a wicked and scoundrel as Pharaoh, she was a woman who believed in Allah Almighty. Due to the fact that she was a believer and took Musa (alaihi salam) under her protection, Allah Almighty granted her a high degree. It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The most worthy of the women of Paradise will be Khadija binti Khuwaylid, Fatima binti Muhammad, Maryam binti Imran, and the wife of Pharaoh - Asiya binti Muzahim” (Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Hakim).

Asia was a very sincere and steadfast woman in her faith. When the time for worship came, she would find an excuse to retire to her room and there she would secretly worship Allah.

For a long time she hid her faith and worship. The last straw was the brutal execution of Ezekiel's wife by Pharaoh. Asia saw from the palace window how cruelly this woman was executed.

Asia saw how angels descended on Ezekiel’s wife and took her soul, and what benefits she received, and this further strengthened Asia’s faith. And at that moment, Pharaoh suddenly entered Asia’s room and began to tell her about how Ezekiel’s wife was brutally executed. When he finished his story, Asiya (radiyallahu anha) said to him:

“Woe to you, O Pharaoh! How dare you speak out against Allah, subjecting those who believe to torment?”

Not expecting to hear such a thing, the pharaoh said: “Has the obsession of that woman who was executed also captured you?”
Asia replied: “No! She wasn't obsessed, and I'm not one. Know that I believed in Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”

Pharaoh told Asiya: “Either you reject the God of Musa, or you will die in terrible torment.”

But Asia was firm in her faith and rejected Pharaoh's offer. And then, by order of Pharaoh, Asiya (radiyallahu anha) was tortured to death. The Quran contains the following instructions for this:

“Allah cited the wife of Pharaoh as an example of the believers. So she said: “Lord! Save me from Pharaoh and his deeds! Build a house for me in Paradise near You and save me from unjust people! ”(at-Tahrim 66/11).

The rivayat reports that this prayer became the last words of Asia (radiyallahu anha), who gave her life in the path of Allah and was awarded the degree of falling in the path of the Almighty.

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The privilege of choosing a career for the weaker half of humanity is a relatively modern social phenomenon. For a woman Ancient Egypt the situation was somewhat different. About three thousand years ago, on the banks of the Nile, equality of rights for both women and men in all spheres of life was noted.

In order to understand the principle of gender equality, it is important to understand that the Egyptians viewed the Universe as masculine and feminine. Balance and order were characteristic of women - cosmic symbol harmony that the pharaoh was supposed to rule.

Status of women in ancient Egypt

Confessed feminine power in all its manifestations: queens were depicted crushing their enemies, shooting arrows at male opponents, inflicting knife wounds when soldiers invaded. Although such scenes are often dismissed as illustrations of fictitious or ritual events, archaeological evidence suggests that these circumstances occurred. The female pharaohs of Ancient Egypt undertook military campaigns. They were called “enemies of the state,” and weapons were found in tombs throughout the thousand-year history of Egypt.

The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that the Egyptians "completely changed the customs of human society..."

Although they were in no way related to the Amazon race, their abilities in government and status were the most unusual in the ancient world. Their image is far from the role of wife and mother; they are assigned such qualities as masculine valor and strength.

Neighboring empires were extremely surprised by this situation of women in Ancient Egypt. They said that “they traded in the market, while the men sat at home and weaved,” wrote Herodotus.

Women led public life on an equal basis with men in all spheres of life, from conducting religious ceremonies to doing housework. There is a story that a woman was steering a cargo ship while a man brought her food, to which she responded:

« Don't cover my face when I swim to shore"(older version: " Don't stand in my way when I'm doing something important.«).

Women enjoyed financial independence, entered into contracts, managed and paid bills. The queens controlled the treasury and had their own estates and workshops. They had the right to own their own property, buy and sell it, and indicate their heirs in their wills.

How did the women of Ancient Egypt spend their leisure time?

The most common occupation of women of all social classes was housekeeping and childbearing. However, they were freed from the need to reproduce large numbers of children as sources of additional labor. Wealthy women had the right to choose a career.

On ancient frescoes and papyri you can find scenes depicting how Egyptian women spent their free time. They bathed, waxed, anointed themselves with incense, and visited hairdressers.

Rich people used the services of manicurists and makeup artists, whose profession name literally translated as “mouth artist.” The most famous type of cosmetics was, which served not only to give expressiveness, but also to protect the eyes from the sun and infections.

Dresses of women in Ancient Egypt

Clothes were made from linen. During the Old Kingdom period (approximately 2686 - 2181 BC), tight dresses came into fashion. During the New Kingdom (1550 - 1069 BC), costumes were distinguished by high quality fabrics, decorated with decorative embroidery and beading. Jewelry, hair bands, wigs, earrings, necklaces, armlets, bracelets, belts, rings and bracelets made of gold were used as accessories. semi-precious stones and beads.

Wealthy housewives wore wigs and did makeup. The servants took care of the order in their houses and laundry. Freed from everyday activities, the women listened to music, drank good wine and ate fruit. Women played with their pets, played board games, and strolled through gardens and estates. They traveled along the river and even drove their own chariots.

Women - Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt

Features of status and personal privileges were the result of relations with the king and ability to govern the country. Most high positions were held by men. If women achieved power, they were at the head of state. It is known that Queen Hetepheres II was in the civil service along with governors and judges. Two women reached the position of vizier - assistant to the pharaoh.

The Egyptian queen Neutikret (2148 – 2144 BC) was remembered as “the bravest and most beautiful woman of her time.” The wife of Pharaoh Sobekneferu (1787 - 1783 BC) was depicted with a diadem in a kilt skirt over a woman's dress.

One of the most famous female pharaohs of Ancient Egypt looked similar. Her dress wore elements royal power. By the fifteenth anniversary of her reign, from approximately 1473 to 1458 BC, she had undertaken one military campaign in the country of Punt and initiated the construction of several major projects. The completion of her career was the construction of a superb mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri.

While Hatshepsut managed to confirm her royal status, there is controversy about another political figure, Queen Nefertiti. She actively participated in her husband Akhenaten's reform in the religious sphere. Some Egyptologists believe that after the death of her husband, around 1336 BC. she ruled alone.

After the death of Pharaoh Seti II in 1194 BC, Tavosret took the throne.

More than a thousand years later, the last of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, the queen, restored the position of the state and eliminated dependence on Rome. Her suicide in 30 BC. marked the end of Egyptian independence.

Marital status of women in Ancient Egypt

Women of Ancient Egypt

A woman's place in Egyptian society was determined by her status as mother, sister, wife or daughter. However, by the scale of the architectural monuments created in their honor, one can judge their role in public life. The fourth pyramid of Giza, the huge complex of Queen Khentkaws (circa 2500 BC) reflects her importance and status as daughter and mother of princesses.

Superbly decorated tombs were built for the female pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom, such as Queen Veret, who was discovered as recently as 1995.

The Golden Age (New Kingdom of Egypt, 1550 -1069 BC) saw several women, including Yahotep, awarded military honors for their bravery. Later, the incomparable Queen Tiyu, who came from a simple family, received the status of “the great royal wife of Amenhotep III” (1390 - 1352 BC). She was even allowed to conduct her own diplomatic correspondence with neighboring states.

The pharaohs tried to marry commoner women. This helped avoid conspiracies to kill male heirs and husbands to seize power. It was typical for minor wives to receive a status with the archaic name of “concubine.”

The kings' harem sometimes contained up to 100 women. distinguished himself by having 120 wives and 396 children. Determining the status of a wife in Ancient Egypt was quite difficult, since there was no specific marriage ceremony. For ordinary people The following custom of marriage was typical. The man came to the woman with a “list”, which indicated all his property and merits. The bride could accept him, or she could kick him out. If they agreed, the young people simply began to live together, the woman became the mistress of the house, and children appeared.

Some of the royal wives were not of Egyptian origin. They were brought from or other neighboring states to consolidate diplomatic agreements. Amenhotep III describes the arrival of the Syrian princess and her maid as a "miracle". He even wrote for his Vsalov:

« I am sending you an official search instruction beautiful women that will please the king. Send me beautiful women, but not with shrill voices!».

Beautiful women in Ancient Egypt were the “adornment of the king.” They were chosen based on grace and beauty, singing and dancing. But not all of them were for entertainment. Some held important government positions in court, took an active part in the exercise of the powers of the pharaoh, in important political events and in religious ceremonies.

Wives and daughters received musical education. In one tomb belonging to a priest, dating back to around 2000 BC. depicts a game of "Sistrum" ("Sacred Rattle"). Women's musical troupes often performed in temples to entertain key religious cults.

Women - priestesses of Ancient Egypt

Film "Cleopatra". Ancient Egypt

One of the most common occupations for women, besides the role of housewife and mother, was the priesthood. Both male and female priestesses were present at festivals and ceremonies. They also acted as professional mourners, a fairly sought-after profession associated with burial rites.

Women were taught to read and write. However, they made up only 2% of Egyptian society. If they held a high position as a judge, vizier or doctor, they were required to have basic reading and writing skills.

During the Greco-Roman period, female literacy came first. Next to the mummy of a young woman, Hermione, the inscription "teacher" was discovered Greek language" The most amazing linguistic abilities were possessed by Cleopatra VII, who built and made a huge contribution to culture ancient world. Women taught there along with men.

The thousand-year history of equality ended with the death of the philosopher Hypatius, who was killed by the monks in 415 BC. due to disagreement with his beliefs..

The concept of “a woman’s place in the home” remained for the next 1.5 thousand years. Ancient Egyptian women lost their freedom. But many of the most active of them sought freedom and legal equality with men, as well as financial equality.

Pietsukh Vyacheslav

Pharaoh's Wife

Vyacheslav Pietsukh

Pharaoh's Wife

Sonya Parokhodova was married to a bandit nicknamed Pharaoh for ten years. This same Pharaoh began as the owner of the first private cinema in Moscow, but little by little he descended into criminality, since the commercial spirit in him was limitedly developed. Sonya Parokhodova not only loved her husband, but somehow became close to him over ten years; as for his strange activities, they seemed to her no more exotic than, for example, the profession of a diver or a village sorcerer. And in the year ninety-six, Pharaoh bought Sonya Parokhodova a fashion studio, and she, as they say, plunged headlong into her own affairs; a week or two later she had already assembled a staff, stocked up on cheap textiles, in particular stolen from the Red Poppy factory, subscribed to women's magazines and seriously began to make a front for one famous Moscow couturier.

Just on the morning of September 24, 1996, Sonya Parokhodova came up with a fantastic model: a combined material, cardinal colors, namely lilac with crimson, a blank back, a neckline in front, descending at an acute angle almost to the navel, and from the armhole of the sleeve grow assembled wings, similar to those that a moth has. Sonya Parokhodova dreamed of this model early in the morning, however, getting out of bed, she did not rush headlong to her desk, but resorted to ordinary morning operations, pleasantly painful because the fantastic model was still standing before her eyes. First, as if she were in her nightgown, she looked into the tall Venetian mirror, which reflected her whole self; There really was something to see: Sonya Parokhodova was distinguished by her good height, excellent body proportions and a thin, as if emaciated face, on which Slavic, God-fearing eyes shone. Then she took a bath and settled for a long time at her grandfather’s dressing table; there are different creams, lotions, rubs, well, self-massage of the face - in general, man’s words cannot describe exactly how you can really spend forty minutes sitting by your grandfather’s dressing table. Having finished her morning toilet, Sonya Parokhodova drank her first glass of Pernod - for some reason she preferred French Pernod vodka, also called pastis, to all other drinks. Then she went to the kitchen to make coffee; This simple task turned into a long, painstaking procedure for her, but now a cloying and perky coffee spirit had spread throughout the apartment, Sonya Parokhodova poured herself a cup of Gardner glass and sat down at the phone. The most amiable time of the day was approaching, when she, sipping coffee, called her friends and ran errands.

Katya, is that you?

How are we doing there?

We just brought lining silk, buttons and chiffon from Mikhailik.

We are already sewing the loops.

Yes, they also came to repair the irons, but both of them were completely askew, just barely able to stand on their feet.

Did you drive me away?

Now the most important thing... Are you standing or sitting?

Then sit down. This morning I came up with a fantastic model!.. - And Sonya Parokhodova described her fantastic model in great detail.

Well, now this bastard won’t be happy with us! - said Katerina, referring to one famous Moscow couturier.

Speaking of creeps, how are things going with your accountant?

No way! Not only do I not love him, he also has diabetes...

They talked for another half hour on general women's topics, finally Sonya Parokhodova hung up the phone, lit a cigarette and began to walk back and forth, little by little approaching her desk; I would like to note that her table was wonderful, covered with English cloth, trimmed with Karelian birch, with a balustrade along the edges, on thick twisted... you can’t even say legs, but you have to say legs; on the table there was an inkstand, a plaster bust of Napoleon and a bronze kerosene lamp under a frosted glass cover. So, Sonya Parokhodova walked back and forth, and that extremely pleasant, although partly nervous feeling, which is familiar only to artistic natures, gradually matured in her, namely: as if a formula for happiness was about to be compiled, and this made the stomach feel a little ticklish , hot blood rushes to your hands and some vein gently pulsates in your head. Whether long or short, she sat down at desk, bending her right leg under herself, opened a jar of Chinese ink, opened a set of watercolor paints, picked up a pen, sighed heavily twice and began to work on her fantastic model. At first, things were going well, but little by little the frenzy passed, and for the next two hours Sonya Parokhodova sat for the sketch for the sake of form, out of a natural craving for positive work. Climbing out from the table in the most unpleasant mood of feelings, she drank another glass of Pernod, ate a slice of lemon sprinkled with coarse salt, and sat down at the phone.

Katya, is that you?

Imagine, I,” it came somehow incorrectly, as if from very far away.

Something doesn't work for me...

The main thing is, don’t worry. And remember more often what we were taught at school: in life there is always a place for heroic deeds - you just need, this is the very thing... to push hard!

IN school years I studied with straight A's and walked barefoot.

Well, you see! Just as you were an excellent student with us, you still are, so the main thing is for you to work hard.

What about the costume for this mymra?

She just picked him up.

Are you satisfied?

Wrong word!

Well, of course! She was born to walk in a sackcloth and gird herself with a string, but here, one might say, they made the Champs Elysees at home...

That's it!

Listen: didn’t your accountant call?

I called - what's the point? For the third year now, all he does is call.

Well, three years is a lot for a dog, but for a person it’s considered nothing.

They talked about general women's topics for another half hour, and then Sonya Parokhodova went out to the balcony to get some air. Even though the calendars showed the end of September, the weather was summer - although cloudy, it was warm and dry. However, signs of the coming lethargy were already making themselves felt: there was something sleepy in the air, the light was bright, the leaves on the trees darkened and faintly smelled of decay, on the balcony of a neighboring house a crazy man he knew was speaking wildly, holding out right hand in the direction of the Tishinsky market, a bullfinch was sitting on the ledge, although it was not yet time for bullfinches. Suddenly a ray of sunshine cut through the grayish veil of the sky and had an extremely pleasant effect on Sonya Parokhodova: the feeling was as if the formula for happiness was about to be formed by itself, and this made the stomach feel a little ticklish, hot blood and some kind of blood rushed to the hands. a vein pulsates gently in the head. At that moment her face lit up with a smile, as if turned inward, and she returned to the desk.

Photos from open sources

Ancient Egypt is one of the centers of human civilization, which arose back in the 4th millennium BC. and existed for more than 4 thousand years. At the head of this huge state was the pharaoh. It is implied that it was a man, because even feminine The word "Pharaoh" does not exist. And yet, there were periods when women took the reins of government into their own hands, when powerful priests, military leaders, and hardened palace intriguers bowed their heads before a woman and recognized her power over them. (website)

Woman in Ancient Egypt

What always amazed all ancient travelers to Egypt was the position of women in society. Egyptian women had rights that Greek and Roman women could not even dream of. Egyptian women were legally endowed with the right of property and inheritance; along with men, they could conduct commercial and production activities, enter into contracts on their own behalf and pay bills. We would say “recognized as full-fledged owners of small, medium and large businesses.”

Photos from open sources

Egyptian women operated cargo ships, were teachers, and were scribes. Aristocrats became officials, judges, rulers of nomes (regions), and ambassadors. The only areas where Egyptian women were not allowed were medicine and the army. But this too is questioned. In the tomb of Queen Yahhotep, among other decorations, two Orders of the Golden Fly were found - awards for outstanding service on the battlefield.

The pharaoh's wife often became his adviser and closest assistant, and ruled the state along with him. Therefore, it is not surprising that when the pharaoh died, the inconsolable widow took upon herself the burden of governing the state. History has preserved for us the names of several mistresses of Ancient Egypt.

Nitocris (c. 2200 BC)

She Neitikert (Excellent Neith) ruled Egypt for twelve years. All these years, Beautiful Nate managed to keep an iron rein on the entire country. Egypt knew neither revolts nor coups. Her death was a disaster for the country. Priests, courtiers, officials and military men began to tear each other apart in the struggle for the throne, and this continued for a century and a half (the First Transitional Period).

Photos from open sources

Nefrusebek (c. 1763 - 1759 BC)

The name Nefrusebek meant “beauty of Sebek.” (Sebek is a god with the head of a crocodile. Yes, the Egyptians had strange ideas about beauty.) The rules did not last long, no more than 4 years, but during this time she managed to become not only a pharaoh, but also a High Priestess, and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, lead a series of reforms and a victorious campaign in Nubia.

Photos from open sources

To pacify the regional aristocrats, she married one of the influential nomarchs (ruler of the nome, i.e. governor), but kept the title of pharaoh for herself. The husband, deceived in his hopes, hired a killer and he killed the queen.

Subsequent events showed how right Nefrusebek was in not entrusting the management of the country to her husband. The newly emerged contender for the title of pharaoh failed to retain power. For Egypt, an era of civil wars and coups began, which lasted about 250 years.

Hatshepsut (c. 1489-1468 BC)

Hatshepsut undoubtedly had both will and strong character. With a living male heir, she managed to seize the throne, declared herself pharaoh, took the name Maatkar and the priests crowned her as a man. During ceremonies, she often wore an artificial beard in order to completely resemble a male pharaoh. Both “male” and “female” images of Queen Hatshepsut have been preserved.

Photos from open sources

Hatshepsut. Women's and men's options

How this masquerade was perceived by the nobles and the people is unclear, but Hatshepsut achieved absolute power, which many male pharaohs did not have, and became the greatest female ruler in the history of Ancient Egypt.

Her reign became the Golden Age for Egypt. Agriculture developed, the queen distributed free land to peasants and issued loans for the purchase of slaves. Abandoned cities were restored. Organized a research expedition to the country of Punt (present-day Somalia).

Photos from open sources

Hatshepsut. Female Pharaoh

Conducted several successful military campaigns, led one campaign (to Nubia) herself, i.e. She also proved herself to be a military leader. Built on her orders, the mortuary temple of Queen Pharaoh Hatshepsut is the pearl of Egypt, along with the pyramids, and is under the protection of UNESCO.

Unlike others Queens Hatshepsut was able to create a mechanism of succession and after her death the title and throne were safely accepted by Thutmose III. This time Egypt managed without disasters, which once again proves that Hatshepsut had a state mind.

Tausert (c. 1194-1192)

Tausert was the wife of Pharaoh Seti II. The marriage was childless. When Seti died, Seti's side son Ramesses-Saptahu seized power, behind whom stood the keeper of the seal. gray cardinal Egypt Bai. However, after 5 years of the reign of the new pharaoh, Bai was accused of corruption and executed, and a year later Ramses-Saptahu himself died from an unknown illness. As we can see, Tausert was a determined woman and did not suffer from excessive sentimentality.

Photos from open sources

According to some sources, it ruled for 2 years, according to others for 7 years, but these years were not calm for Egypt. A civil war began in the country. Tausert died for unknown reasons, but this did not stop the civil war. Her successor, Pharaoh Setnakht, with great difficulty restored order in the country and resolved another political crisis in the country.

Cleopatra (47-30 BC)

Photos from open sources

It would be a stretch to call the famous queen a pharaoh. Egypt was Hellenized and bore little resemblance to the ancient country. Cleopatra's reign cannot be called successful. Egypt was a semi-colony of Rome, legionnaires rampaged through the country and it all ended in a war with Rome, which Cleopatra lost. Egypt lost the remnants of even a ghostly independence and became part of the Roman Empire. Thus, Cleopatra became not only the last female pharaoh in the history of Egypt, but the last Egyptian pharaoh in general.



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