Female Fertility and Pregnancy in Ancient Egypt

Heidi Saleh

By examining various ancient Egyptian objects of daily use, this paper attempts to illustrate that the Egyptians integrated religion, medicine, and magic into a single belief system. Throughout the paper, some references will be made comparing various ancient Egyptian beliefs concerning women and fertility with modern ones in Egypt today. The paper begins with a discussion of the cultural significance of fertility to women in ancient Egypt, and the reasons Egyptians feared infertility. Various "supernatural" threats to a woman's fertility are discussed. Then the roles of deities related to women and fertility, such as Isis, Hathor, Taweret, and Bes are explained. Several places a person suffering from fertility problems can visit to ask for assistance are mentioned. The rites of childbirth are then described. The paper concludes by presenting various types of fertility figurines, amulets, and vessels.

« Back