The king’s mother (known as the “great royal mother”) and the king’s chief wife (known as the “great royal wife”) were associated with the goddess Hathor, and enjoyed near-divine status. A few women reigned as kings, and others reigned as co-regents with underage relatives. Royal ladies had lavish funerals, tombs, and grave goods, though not as elaborate as those of kings. Princesses received some education, sometimes learning to read and write.
Wealthy and royal ladies managed multiple large estates and supervised hordes of servants. Especially during the imperial age, they enjoyed the best the world could offer. They anointed themselves with costly imported perfumes, sipped the finest wines and dined on exotic delicacies. They owned huge collections of wigs and jewels. Their clothing chests bulged with finery, from royal linen smocks so fine they were transparent, to pleated and embroidered gowns made especially for them.
Particularly during Egypt’s imperial age, kings kept harems of hundreds of wives, many brought from foreign lands (along with their many servants and attendants) to cement diplomatic ties with distant parts of the empire. Talented female singers, dancers, and musicians were often added to the royal harem to entertain at court.
Although she was married to the king, a harem woman might seldom see him. Still, there was always a chance he might single her out as a favorite. And there was a small chance that the king’s great wife would not bear a son, and the son of a harem woman would be promoted to crown prince. Whatever her origin, a woman whose son became king became a queen herself-the great royal mother.
The King's Symbols
The king's royal dress
Included many symbolic
Items.
• The double crown (sekhemty) combined the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt.
• The false beard, woven of rushes, symbolized divinity. Even female kings wore it.
• A bull's tall attached to the back of his kilt gave the king magical protection from the rear.
• The sacred uraeus, a spitting cobra, circled the king's crown or headdress, symbolizing his role as protector of Egypt.
• The protective falcon (the god Horus) encircled his head or stood behind him.
• The shepherd's crook, carried in the left hand, symbolized the king's gentleness, persuasive powers, and love for his people.
• The flail (a small whip), carried in the right hand, symbolized the king's power to compel, showing that he was fierce, fearless, and all-powerful.
World History
