4to. xvii, 198 pp., figures, cloth in d/w, notes, indices, copy in Mint condition, American University of Beirut, first edition, 1986.

Synopsis

“There are basically two themes to these essays: an attempt to define the relative social status of women holding certain titles and to show that harems and concubines did not exist in the Middle Kingdom, at least as recognised institutions. The former theme is approached primarily through official and religious titles held by women and their husbands, the latter theme by examining some key terms said to refer to harems and concubines. Further essays give new interpretations to the famous genealogy of tomb 9 at El-Kab and the so-called “Harem” of King Nebhepetre Mentuhotep.”