الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract This comparative study aims at shedding light on the origin and importance of the harem institution in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It is based upon the various researches and studies, which proved that the harem was not a place for women’s seclusion, but more as an independent community. The study represents the inhabitants of the harem palace and their social status and hierarchy. It outlines the relationship between the king and his wives in terms of favoring one over another, which appeared in the given titles of some wives, especially the principal wife or the heir’s mother. Besides, it presents the development of the royal wives’ titles throughout ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamia history. The study gives examples of some wives whose influence affected the king’s rule of the country. Besides, it discusses the conspiracies that originated in the harem to ensure the succession to the throne to one of the secondary wives’ sons. Additionally, this study overviews the king’s foreign wives and the way these foreign marriages maintained diplomatic affairs between the countries. It hints at some harem palaces, which were not extensively studied in the previous studies. Furthermore, it displays the representations of the king along with his wives, whether in three-dimensional statues or reliefs. The study points out the similar and different aspects of the harem institution in both the ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. |