Fatma Soliman, Deputy Director of the DAAD Regional Office Cairo, opened the workshop by praising the collaboration between Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Cairo University. She highlighted how crises disproportionately affect minorities, especially women, stating, “violence and biases towards these groups often escalate during wars and crises.” Stressing the role of research in addressing exploitation and systemic biases, she thanked the speakers and encouraged participants to engage in discussions aimed at fostering equity and understanding.

Felix Haala, Head of Culture & Education at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, highlighted the importance of gender representation in cultural narratives during this event. He emphasised the global gender gap in historical narratives and crises, noting that Women are hit especially hard” and often underrepresented in decision-making roles. He praised Germany’s feminist foreign policy for promoting “equal and just representation,” benefiting all of society, and thanked the assembled researchers for their work in making women’s contributions visible and bridging historical gaps.

Dr Ghada Mohamed, an Egyptology lecturer at Cairo University, introduced the workshop by emphasising the need to study women’s roles in ancient Egypt, particularly during crises, and called for moving beyond male-dominated historical narratives. She defined crisis as “a time of great difficulty, danger, or suffering,” whether personal or societal, and highlighted the workshop’s aim to explore parallels between ancient and modern responses to such challenges. Echoing this, Dr Alexander Schütze, Assistant Professor  at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München , stressed the importance of uncovering women’s often-overlooked voices in historical records, emphasising their active roles in critical moments. This introduction was followed by a Q&A session that explored various perspectives on women in ancient Egypt, focusing on women’s literacy, their roles in managing correspondence, and the challenges in proving oral histories.

In the first session, Prof. Dr Ola El Aguizy, Professor Emeritus – Ex-Dean of the Faculty of Egyptology, Cairo University, explored the intricate dynamics of marriage and inheritance in ancient Egypt, shedding light on both typical and extraordinary practices. She discussed the clauses of marriage contracts, which included provisions for the husband to provide a dowry and annual maintenance, while the wife retained control over her subsistence and property. In cases of divorce, husbands were often obligated to transfer acquired property to their wives. She highlighted unique cases, such as a “trial marriage” during the Persian period and the remarkable story of Naunakhte, who disinherited neglectful children. She also compared these practices to Greek customs, emphasising that Egyptian law offered women greater rights and protections, making it a preferred legal framework for many. Afterwards, the Q&A explored ways to make women’s roles more tangible in museums, suggesting the use of statues, 3D models, and legal documents like marriage contracts to illustrate their rights and societal influence.

In the second session, Prof. Dr Andreas Schwab, Chair of Classical Philology, Professor for Ancient Greek and Knowledge Studies, Kiel University, analyzed Herodotus’ Histories, exploring the roles of women in ancient Egypt by contrasting passive and active women and examining femininity as an abstraction. He highlighted the differences between Egyptian practices and those of other cultures, particularly in sacred contexts, where men and women play distinct roles. He also discussed the holy women at the oracle of Zeus, referencing the first narrative of the Egyptian priests of Thebes, and questioned whether the daughter of King Mycerinos could be considered a “holy woman.” He highlighted Herodotus’ frequent use of authorial interjections, which remind readers that his work is a deliberate composition rather than a mere transcription, as seen in his dismissal of certain accounts as “gossip.” Herodotus skillfully balances internal perspectives, such as the testimony of “the priest from the city of Sais,” with his own narrative distance, illustrating a sophisticated approach to contentious topics like religious practices and oral traditions.

In the Q & A, participants debated the reliability of Herodotus’ sources, focusing on the timeline of events and the role of the Phoenicians in Egyptian history, particularly in the abduction of priestesses. In the third session, Dr Ghada Mohamed, Cairo University talked about “private” critical times and challenges, which affected a single woman or a group of women in Ancient Egypt. These include for instance poverty and financial issues, marital conflicts and issues (e.g. divorce, adultery, or widowhood and Grief on the death of family members), violence against women (e.g. domestic violence, sexual harassment, or rape), infertility and miscarriage, and finally diseases and women with special needs. It was discussed, how the ancient Egyptian society handled crimes and women’s rights. She highlights the case of “Papyrus Salt 124,” where the workman Paneb was accused of sexual assault and other crimes, with his son testifying against him. Further, she touched on the social position of widows in ancient Egypt, where despite their legal rights, they were often in need of male protection, as seen in the stories of various widows and the legal codes that guided their treatment. She also mentioned the discovery of a female limb prosthesis from the first century BC, demonstrating ancient Egyptians’ care for the disabled.

Her presentation was followed by a Q&A session which focused on domestic violence in ancient Egypt, discussing archaeological evidence and incomplete texts that referenced legal actions taken by women. Participants noted that while there is some evidence of women’s legal responses, broader solidarity and strategies remain underexplored.

At the end of the first day, a collective discussion session was held with the speakers and workshop attendees. Topics included the potential for interdisciplinary workshops on women in crisis, exploring different historical periods and cultures, as well as examining legal and social contexts such as marriage contracts and temple texts. Participants also highlighted the importance of including diverse perspectives, such as the roles of women in wartime and solidarity among women during crises, with examples from ancient Egypt, Sudan, and beyond.

Day two of the workshop featured a presentation from Dr Alexander Schuetze, who presented “Courtesans, Faithful Wives and Royal Daughters in Herodotus’ Egyptian Logos.” He explored how Herodotus used Egyptian oral traditions and monuments to craft a thematic, rather than chronological, account of history, stating, “Herodotus’ Egyptian history is not ordered in terms of chronology but thematically.” Through stories like King Sesostris’ wife advising him to sacrifice two children to escape assassination and King Pheros regaining his sight using the urine of a faithful wife, Dr Schuetze highlighted the central role of women in these narratives. He observed that “women turn out to be protagonists of these stories,” reflecting late-period Egyptian oral traditions. These accounts, blending Greek and Egyptian elements, were designed to entertain Greek audiences while providing insights into ancient Egyptian society.

The Q&A following Dr Schuetze’s presentation sparked engaging discussions on Herodotus’ portrayal of women and morality. Participants explored stories like King Pheros and the faithful wife, highlighting the paradox of the king’s actions and the complexity of rulers “beyond good and evil.” Questions also examined women’s roles as commodities or diplomatic tools, reflecting broader historical themes.

In the second session, Prof. Dr Angelika Lohwasser from the University of Muenster, explored the influential role of Nasalsa, a royal mother in the Kushite kingdom during a period of upheaval. She highlighted Nasalsa’s centrality in Kushite royal ideology, noting her depiction alongside King Amanineteyerike on the Kawa stela and her active role in King Aspelta’s coronation. Describing the balance between male rulers and their female counterparts, Lohwasser remarked, “The equilibrium between the two sexes is a pivotal aspect of the royal ideology.” Despite later erasures of her name and image from artifacts, Nasalsa’s prominence endured, with her tomb near King Taharqo’s pyramid highlighting her lasting impact. Reflecting on her legacy, Prof. Dr Lohwasser concluded, “Nasalsa was an important woman at a critical phase in the Kushite kingdom.” The Q&A session explored Egypt-Kush artistic interplay, noting Kushite queens’ distinctive features and attire rooted in local traditions despite borrowing elements like sistra. Lohwasser attributed Nasalsa’s erasures to court conflicts and emphasized using “Kush” over “Nubia” for historical accuracy.

In the third session, Prof. Dr Ali Abdelhalim Ali, Professor at Ain Shams University and Director General of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, examined the roles of Cleopatra II and Cleopatra III during the late Ptolemaic period, focusing on their depictions at the Temple of Kom Ombo. He highlighted their political and familial significance, with Cleopatra II, entitled “Senet” (sister), and Cleopatra III, “Hemet” (wife), often portrayed alongside Ptolemy VIII. Notably, Cleopatra III’s depiction of independently offering to the god Khonsu in the Mamizi underscored her authority during Ptolemy IX’s reign. Prof. Dr Ali also discussed the erasure and variations of Cleopatra III’s titles across temples, revealing localized hierarchies and ritual symbolism, and concluded that the evolving titles of both queens provide valuable insights into female agency and political dynamics during this turbulent period.

During the Q&A session, Prof. Dr Ali addressed participant insights, acknowledging Cleopatra II’s depictions with Ptolemy VI as vital for dating temple iconography. He also responded to a query on sons preceding mothers in scenes, citing rare examples linked to Alexandria’s political instability. Prof. Dr. Ali emphasised the queens’ key roles in stabilizing the throne during crises and stressed the importance of integrating historical and religious records to understand Ptolemaic complexities.

The second day featured a discussion that explored the distinction between religious and historical sources in Egyptian history, which sparked reflection on Herodotus’ accounts and their interpretive challenges. Prof. Dr Ali emphasised the need to contextualize sources, distinguishing between contemporary and retrospective records. Participants discussed symbolic depictions in temples versus practical documents, linking erased cartouches to political conflicts and illiteracy. Debate on domestic violence highlighted contrasting views on skeletal evidence and societal norms, with calls to balance idealism with reality through everyday documentary texts. The concept of Ma’at was noted as shaping official records, often masking societal flaws, while Egyptian women’s strength in myth and history was celebrated. The session ended with gratitude for the insightful exchange and an invitation to lunch in the garden.

The closing session of the second day reflected on its success, with organizers expressing their gratitude for the positive feedback, engaging discussions, and diverse contributions. Participants shared valuable insights into topics ranging from women’s inheritance rights to their roles during critical times, presented by experts from Egypt and Germany. The workshop served as a brainstorming platform, laying the groundwork for future expansions, including broader interdisciplinary collaborations, museum exhibitions, and community engagement to connect academia with the public. In addition, attendees emphasised the importance of exploring societal and historical intersections across eras, further enriching the discourse. Certificates were distributed, and the session concluded with plans for a group photo to commemorate the enriching event.

On the sidelines of the workshop, experts reflected on the themes of women in crisis and their societal roles. Prof. Dr Ola El-Aguizy, Cairo University, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research, emphasising, “Women had a very strong role in history,” and called for comparative studies on Egyptian and Greek texts to explore societal dynamics under Greek rule. Dr Mustafa Al-Bahiyy from the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism praised the workshop for fostering deep inquiry, noting, “This is an opportunity for researchers to go in depth with these points and clarify answers through historic sources,” while critiquing Herodotus’ accounts as entertainment rather than reliable history. Shrouk Shahada, an assistant lecturer at Helwan University, valued the multidisciplinary approach, blending linguistics and iconography to uncover fuller narratives, stating, “We cannot just focus on the text or the image; both tell us the whole story.” She also called for more innovative and analytical discussions, adding, “Gaps bring us questions, and questions bring research.” Dr Zeina Salem, an Egyptologist and tour guide, reflected on the significant rights and responsibilities of ancient Egyptian women and expressed a desire to connect historical perspectives with contemporary discussions on gender roles, highlighting the workshop’s role in bridging past and present.

In conclusion, the workshop provided a comprehensive platform for exploring the intricate roles of women during periods of crisis across history. Through interdisciplinary discussions spanning Egyptology, classical studies, and gender research, the event illuminated women’s agency, resilience, and societal contributions often overlooked in traditional narratives. Speakers and participants emphasised the importance of bridging historical gaps by integrating diverse methodologies and perspectives. The workshop not only deepened academic understanding but also highlighted the relevance of historical insights to contemporary gender discourse. It promoted valuable collaborations between Egyptian and German researchers, laying the groundwork for future initiatives, including interdisciplinary research projects, museum exhibitions, and broader community engagement. By connecting past and present, the event reinforced the significance of women’s roles in shaping history and the ongoing need to highlight their contributions in times of crisis.