In this detailed study, Egyptologist Joyce Tyldesley explores the lives of women in the Nile Valley during the Pharaonic period. Unlike their counterparts in Ancient Greece or Rome, Egyptian women enjoyed significant legal independence; they could own land, initiate divorce, and manage their own businesses. Tyldesley moves beyond the famous elite—like Cleopatra and Nefertiti—to examine the daily experiences of ordinary women, including their roles in the home, the workplace, and the temple. The book provides a comprehensive look at marriage, motherhood, health, and the religious status of women, painting a vivid picture of a society where gender roles were surprisingly progressive for the ancient world.