Status of Women
The Mesopotamian woman's role had no loopholes. She was a daughter or a wife. Women almost never acted as individuals outside their of their families. Those who did so were usually royalty, or the wives of men who had much power and status.
Most girls were trained from when they were kids for the roles of wife, mother, and housekeeper. They learned how to grind grain, how to cook and make drinks, especially beer, and how to spin and weave cloth for clothing. If a woman worked outside of her home, her job usually was very similar to her household tasks. She could sell the beer she brewed, or even become a tavern keeper. Childbearing and childcare made women perfect to become midwives, and to create medicines that prevented pregnancy.
After puberty, a young girl was considered ready for marriage. The families always arranged the marriages. Ceremonies have been described where the future husband poured perfume on the head of the bride and he would also gave her family money and other presents. Once a woman was promised to a man, she was considered part of that mans family family. If her husband-to-be died before the wedding, she was then married to one of his brothers or another male relative.
Most girls were trained from when they were kids for the roles of wife, mother, and housekeeper. They learned how to grind grain, how to cook and make drinks, especially beer, and how to spin and weave cloth for clothing. If a woman worked outside of her home, her job usually was very similar to her household tasks. She could sell the beer she brewed, or even become a tavern keeper. Childbearing and childcare made women perfect to become midwives, and to create medicines that prevented pregnancy.
After puberty, a young girl was considered ready for marriage. The families always arranged the marriages. Ceremonies have been described where the future husband poured perfume on the head of the bride and he would also gave her family money and other presents. Once a woman was promised to a man, she was considered part of that mans family family. If her husband-to-be died before the wedding, she was then married to one of his brothers or another male relative.