In Ancient Egypt, legally, a woman shared the same rights and status as a man - at least, theoretically. An Egyptian woman was entitled to her own private property, which could include land, livestock, slaves and servants, etc.[2] She had the right to inherit whatever anyone bequeathed to her, as well as bequeathing her belongings to others. She could divorce her husband (upon which all possessions belonging to her - including the dowry - were reverted to her sole ownership), and sue in court. Most notably, a woman could do these legal matters without a male to represent her. However, on the whole, men vastly outnumbered women in most trades, including government administrators; the average woman still centered her time around the home and family. A few women became pharaohs, and women held important positions in government and trade.Roman law.Women in ancient Rome were citizens, but could not run for political office or vote. Roman women had little political freedom in society, but substantial freedom outside of politics, and some were outspoken and took an interest in the politics of their day. The status of a woman would varry from a fish monger with very little money to a woman of great wealth and daughter and married to prominent politicians like Caecilia Metella, and those are the women more likely to have left a mark.
Women had full capacity for themselves, but none for others, although some emperors recognized a woman's relationship to her own sons and daughters.
Women had full capacity for themselves, but none for others, although some emperors recognized a woman's relationship to her own sons and daughters.
