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Women in ancient Egypt had some of the same legal rights as men, they could own and administer their own property, make wills, and engage in trade and business on their own account!.

In family life, the husband was considered the head of the family, but the general attitude towards marriage was that it was a loving partnership!. Husbands and wives were generally portrayed as very affectionate towards each other!.

Women served as priestesses in the cults of various gods and goddesses, and women of the lower classes earned their livings in a variety of occupations including weaving, wig-making, as musicians and dancers, as domestic servants, and as midwives!. There were some women physicians!.

Although political power was mainly in the hands of men, royal women could often be influential, as queens influencing thei rhusbands, or sometimes acting as regents for sons or nephews too young to rule alone!. Queen Ahotep, for instance, ruled for her young son Kamose, and warred against the Hyksos, who had invaded Egypt!. the most famous Queen of Egypt was Queen Hatshepsut, who acted as regent for her nephew and stepson Thutmosis III, and hung onto power even after he had reached adulthood!. She reigned as King rather than as queen regent, and sometimes had herself portrayed in male attire to emphasise that she was a real king!.

It seems that in ancient India women may have had more freedom than they did in later centuries!.

The Greek chronicer Strabo, one of the earliest westerners to penetrate Inida, noted that the noblewomen of the Indian courts were trained to handle weapons and routinely accompanied the male warriors into battle!. Such women at times rose to absolute control of their domains as observed in the states of Malabar, Travancor, and Attinga by early travellers!.

When Alexander the Great invaded India, he was met at the Battle of Hydaspes by King Porus and his allies!. One of the Indian commanders on the field that day was the woman warrior Queen Masaga, embodiment of Kali, the Indian goddess of war!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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