Most Egyptian men and women were expected to marry once they reached maturity, but marriage was a serious undertaking that required approval from their families. Marriage was also seen as a way for people to find happiness and fulfillment in life, and it was considered shameful if one's parents chose an unsuitable partner. Premarital sex was strictly forbidden, and those who engaged in it risked severe social consequences such as exile from their community and even death.
There are some records suggesting that this rule was occasionally broken.
One papyrus describes how a man named Sinuhe fled his home after being caught having sex with a woman before he was married. In another case, a woman named Nefertiri complained that her husband had cheated on her before she married him. These incidents show that sexual desire could be too strong to resist, even when religious rules forbade it.
In ancient Egypt, gender roles were very strict. Men were expected to provide for their families financially and physically protect them, while women were supposed to stay at home and raise children. This meant that men had more freedom than women did and could engage in premarital sex without fear of losing their place in society. Women who engaged in premarital sex would have faced much greater social stigma because they were seen as disobeying their fathers or husbands and bringing shame upon themselves and their families. Some scholars believe that this may have contributed to higher rates of domestic violence against women in ancient Egyptian households.
Despite the harsh punishments for premarital sex, some ancient Egyptians believed that it could actually bring couples closer together emotionally and spiritually. The goddess Hathor was associated with love, passion, and sexual pleasure, and people often turned to her for help when seeking intimacy with their partners. Her temple in Dendera contained many carvings depicting erotic scenes that suggest that ancient Egyptians saw sex as an important part of marriage.
Ancient Egyptian attitudes towards premarital sex were complex and nuanced. While most people followed the traditional norms, there were exceptions who broke those norms and paid a heavy price. The consequences of these actions were felt not just by individuals but also by their entire communities.
What social and sexual consequences result from religious opposition to premarital sex in ancient Egypt, particularly regarding gendered roles?
The main social consequence of premarital sex in ancient Egypt was that it could lead to social ostracism and exclusion from society for both men and women who engaged in it. This is because the practice was seen as going against the norms and values of the community, and those who engaged in it were considered immoral and untrustworthy.