Silent Images: Women in Pharaonic Egypt (Paperback)

~ Zahi Hawass (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Interest in ancient civilizations is often fueled by dissatisfaction with contemporary life and yearning for an imagined happier time or place. For many, Egypt seems to offer such a vista for contemplation. Its surviving art and architecture bespeak a people of great wealth and knowledge, both occult and practical. This gorgeous book presents examples of that art concerned with women's lives, accompanied by an eloquent, scholarly text that contradicts some of the fantasies spun about Egypt but leaves the ancient civilization no less compelling. In particular, Hawass indicates that, despite the presence of queens and goddesses, Egyptian women were not necessarily freer or more powerful than women today. The chapters explore daily life, the court, the arts, and more, while close-up photos detail the sculpture, bas-reliefs, papyrus paintings, and other artwork from the land of the Pharaohs. Patricia Monaghan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

Our endless fascination with ancient Egypt owes much to the beauty of the tomb paintings, statuary, temple reliefs, and other magnificent artworks that are the legacy of this remarkable culture. But despite the multitude of objects and texts that have survived, questions abound, particularly about the true role of women in Egyptian society. This wonderfully illustrated, brilliantly researched book draws on unpublished material from author Zahi Hawass' own excavations as well as new analyses of older evidence to penetrate the silent images and paint an astonishing picture of women's lives.

Hawass contrasts the stereotype-inspired by such symbols of femininity as the queens Nefertiti and Nefertari-with a more realistic view of the common woman's everyday involvement in matters ranging from family life to dress and adornment to the workplace and the legal system. Lavish photographs of places and objects, many made especially for this book, round out an enthralling, richly textured work. ZAHI HAWASS is a world-renowned archaeologist. He is director of the Giza Pyramids and field director of the Bahariya Oasis excavation, as well as a frequent lecturer around the world. He has written books on the pyramids and on kingship in ancient Egypt, and his articles have been published widely. He teaches archaeology at Cairo University and the University of California at Los Angeles.

150 illustrations in full color, 9 3/4 x 11 3/4"

Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: The America University in Cairo Press; 1st edition (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810944782
• ISBN-13: 978-0810944787
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,743 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #6 in	Books > Science > Archaeology > Egyptian
  #6 in	Books > Arts & Photography > History & Criticism > Women in Art
  #84 in	Books > History > Ancient > Egypt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pharahonic women...., May 17, 2001

By	MARCELLA ALEMAN (CANADA) - See all my reviews

I have read this book and I think it is one of the greatest piece of literature...it explain everything you need to know about women in those time...it's completed very well illustrated and the price compensate the product..it's worth it...it's great!

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pharahonic women...., May 17, 2001

By	MARCELLA ALEMAN (CANADA) - See all my reviews

I have read this book and I think it is one of the greatest piece of literature...it explain everything you need to know about women in those time...it's completed very well illustrated and the price compensate the product..it's worth it...it's great!