Ancient Egyptians also used to “gossip” about a bald queen, royal infidelities, missing bodies, same-sex relationships, palace intrigues, and much more.
Egyptologist Lisa Schwappach-Shirriff, at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in California, USA, which houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in North America, recently uncovered evidence of scandalous stories in the museum’s archives. The findings indicate that people have always been intrigued by discussions about the personal and sensitive matters of others.
“The ancient Egyptians believed that anything written down was mysteriously true, so if something was factual but unpleasant, it would never be documented,” Schwappach-Shirriff said.
She added, “This is what makes it fascinating when you discover snippets of details in gossip stories.”
For instance, she explained a text from 5,000 years ago describing an unnamed king who frequently visited the home of one of his generals at night. The text repeatedly states that “there was no lady in that house,” suggesting that the king engaged in same-sex relationships.
“Does this imply that ancient Egyptians opposed same-sex relationships? Not necessarily,” Schwappach-Shirriff remarked. “The issue might be that the general failed to fulfill his duty of producing an heir for the dynasty.”
Andre Dollinger, another Egyptologist who has published numerous studies on Egyptian cultural history, also noted that Egyptians often gossiped about royal figures who frequently held parties. “A drawing on limestone shows a king with a thick beard, looking worse for wear,” Dollinger said.
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Queen Hatshepsut |
Schwappach-Shirriff noted that a more visual form of gossip was discovered near the temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This queen declared herself king and had an intimate relationship with a steward named Senenmut.
“How intimate it was remains a mystery, but it is clear that the builders of the temple considered it very close,” she said. “A wall painting depicts the female king in a very relaxed posture with someone who is not of royal blood. Since it was found at the break area of the worksite, you can imagine how they might have chuckled together during lunchtime.”
Written records and other evidence show that tomb diggers often lost bodies and did not report their mistakes. For example, the tomb of Queen Hetepheres was discovered intact but without a body. It is possible her remains were lost, but no one wanted to report it to the king.
Although very few documents about the Egyptian harem have survived, records indicate that royal wives often secretly discussed how to ensure their sons ascended to the throne. In a dark plot, Ramses III was murdered by his wives, who were later accused by eavesdropping workers.
Schwappach-Shirriff commented, “People tend to gossip about things that interest them, both in ancient times and today. One of the best ways to understand what someone is truly like, and what behavior is considered acceptable, is to listen to their gossip stories.”
Minh Thi (according to Discovery)
