The History of Egypt for Kids - Royal HaremThe Civilization, Culture & History of Ancient Egypt and facts about Royal Harem |
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The Inhabitants of the Royal Harem
Interesting facts and information regarding the inhabitants, the servants and the hierarchy of an ancient Egyptian Royal Harem. The kings of ancient Egypt practised Polygamy, meaning that they had more than one wife at the same time and they also had concubines. Having large numbers of wives and concubines enabled the Pharaohs to establish their dynasty and ensure their line of succession. The wives, concubines, their babies, children together with officials, guards, administrators, scribes and tutors inhabited the royal harems. This vast number of people increased still further with slaves and servants together with wig-makers, dress-makers, weavers, musicians and dancers. The children of favored nobles also received part of their education in the harems. Titles associated with the ancient Egyptian harems included:
 "Overseer of the the beautiful ones" or "Overseer of the royal harem" | | "Tutor of the royal children" | "Scribes of the royal harem"| "Supervisor of the Dancers of the King" | "Supervisor of the Cloth"| "Scribes of the treasury of the household of the harem" | | "Doorkeepers of the king’s harem" | | "Supervisor of the Wig Workshop" |
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The Hierarchy of the Royal Harem
The hierarchy of the Royal Harem in ancient Egypt was headed by the "King's Principal Wife" or "Great Royal Wife" who was also given the title "Chieftainess of the Harem". Other titles given to the royal wives of pharaohs included "King's wife", "King's wife of non-royal birth", "King's Daughter", "King's Sister" and "King's Mother". These women were also joined by older wives and queens, and those that had fallen out of favor. This mix of ambitious royal women led to various 'harem conspiracies' which are detailed on the fact sheets. 
Queens of Egypt: Picture of an Egyptian Queen in the Harem |
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Royal Harem
Learn about Royal Harem the fast and easy way via the Royal Harem Fact sheet.
Ancient Egypt - Royal Harem Fact Sheet |
Fact 1 on Royal Harem: | Unlike the harems of the Ottoman Empire of ancient Turkey, the Egyptian harems were not the 'forbidden places' denied to men, nor were the male servants eunuchs and the women were not denied access to public life.
| Fact 2 on Royal Harem: | Harems had their own administration and were managed by a steward. Some of the titles accorded to the officials of Egyptian harems are detailed above giving an insight to the function and activities of harems
| Fact 3 on Royal Harem: | Harems, although considered a part of the palace-household, were housed in a building of its own away from the 'state apartments' conducting official business and the government of the country.
| Fact 4 on Royal Harem: | No doubt the harems were noisy places with the nurseries, babies, older children, the musicians, songstresses and dancers.
| Fact 5 on Royal Harem: | The earliest evidence of harems as royal institutions dates back to the Early Dynastic Period and initially served as a residence for the lesser wives and concubines.
| Fact 6 on Royal Harem: | By the 6th dynasty the function of harems had increased to include educational facilities for the younger children of the royal family and those of important government officials and was presided over by the "King's Principal Wife".
| Fact 7 on Royal Harem: | The nursery and school was called the 'Kap'. The royal children together with the children of high ranking court officials received their early education here and were referred to as the "children of the kap". Higher education was conducted by the priests in the temples.
| Fact 8 on Royal Harem: | Both girls and boys received an education. As time passed the education of the royal women was deemed to be extremely important and the highest ranks learnt about the government of ancient Egypt by working closely with the Vizier (Chief chancellor of Prime Minister)
| Fact 9 on Royal Harem: | Harems were administrative centers and owned agricultural land, cattle, and manufacturing workshops such as weaving centers run by the "Supervisor of the Cloth". The linen destined for female royalty was made of the finest, sheerest linen.
| Fact 10 on Royal Harem: | The harems organized the social life of the palace and were the residence of the entertainers who consisted of dancers, songstresses and musicians who were organised by the "Supervisor of the Dancers of the King". continued...
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Ancient Egypt - Royal Harem Fact Sheet |
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Royal Harem
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about Royal Harem for kids with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages! Find fascinating fun facts about Royal Harem for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about Royal Harem for research, schools, students and kids of all ages. |
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Royal Harem | Facts and Information about Royal Harem | | Royal Harem | | The people, places, culture and civilization of ancient Egypt | | Facts and information about Ancient Egypt & the Egyptians | | Royal Harem for kids and schools | | Royal Harem for kids, schools, homework and research | | Royal Harem and the Harem Conspracies |
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Facts about Harem Conspiracies
Interesting info about the 'Harem Conspiracies' are provided in the next Fact sheet.
Ancient Egypt - Royal Harem Fact Sheet |
Fact 11 on Royal Harem: | The position of the "Supervisor of the Wig Workshop" was extremely important. Both men and women in ancient Egypt cropped their hair really short to avoid lice. Their vanity required the wearing of wigs.
| Fact 12 on Royal Harem: | Hairdressers and servants skilled in applying make-up were valued servants and slaves.
| Fact 13 on Royal Harem: | The number of women housed together in the harems inevitably led to squabbles and quarrels. Ambitious royal wives and concubines conspired in attempts to see their sons become the heir to the throne of Egypt.
| Fact 14 on Royal Harem: | The highest ranking women conspired with their courtiers, officials and bodyguards in a "Harem Conspiracy".
| Fact 15 on Royal Harem: | The first conspiracy was hatched during the reign of King Teti in the 6th Dynasty. King Teti was murdered by his own bodyguard, and the throne of Egypt was seized by the usurper Userkare who was involved in the royal murder and possible harem conspiracy instigated by his mother,
| Fact 16 on Royal Harem: | The next conspiracy is believed to have occurred during the 12th dynasty when King Amenemhet I was murdered. There are no details of the plot but King Amenemhet I did have five high ranking consorts called Satkamose, Sit-Hathor, Dedyet, Senebtisy and Nefru-Sobek. It is therefore probable that possible that one of these lesser queens were involved in the conspiracy.
| Fact 17 on Royal Harem: | The most famous of all was the conspiracy involving Queen Tiye who was a consort of Ramses III a pharaoh of the 20th dynasty of the New Kingdom. Queen Tiye plotted against her husband with fellow courtier conspirators in order to secure the throne of Egypt for her son, Pentaweret. Ramses III died and the conspirators were put to death.
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Ancient Egypt - Royal Harem Fact Sheet |
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Queens of Egypt: Picture depicting Queen Cleopatra at Philae Royal Harem
Learning about the ancient Egyptians and Royal Harem inspires everyone to visit historical sites and undertake Egypt Travel and Tours to experience the wonders of this magical land at first hand. Many people choose to experience a tour of Egypt on a Nile Cruise stopping at the famous destinations and sites of Egypt such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The information and facts about Royal Harem will provide you with a great insight into Egypt and the legacy of the ancient Egyptians. Royal Harem |
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