Some Remarks on Women's Social Life in Roman and Late Antique Egypt: Religious and Social Celebrations

Abstract

The aim of the paper is twofold: first to elucidate the role of women in the participation and organization of various religious and social celebrations in the society of Greco-Roman Egypt, with regard to their legal and economic status, and second to discuss how the interaction between different cultures and social traditions could affect women's everyday life. My focus is on the papyrus documents dating from the time of August onwards which are more pertinent to the study of women's social life, such as private letters, invitations and various lists and accounts.