Goddesses in Ramessid Egypt: Examining divine feminine agency in three case studies from the reigns of Seti I and Ramesses II

Date: Saturday December 12^th 2026 @ 2pm
By Dr Edward Scrivens
Venue: Coronation Hall Woodley In-Person only. No advance booking required
Cost: Free for Members and £4 Visitors

Abstract

Studies of gender in ancient Egypt have traditionally focused on the roles and experiences of human beings, particularly those of women. However, not only does the reach of gender norms extend to the whole of society and not just to women and girls, but there were other gendered beings in the ancient Egyptian worldview besides humans. Deities were broadly differentiated into gods and goddesses, gendered categories with associated roles and modes of representation. What does ‘goddesshood’ mean? How does the agency and status of goddesses relate to those of gods, and might there be things that goddesses do which gods cannot? We will explore these questions using examples from three monuments dating to the Ramessid period: the Small Temple at Abu Simbel, the tomb of Paser at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna (TT 106), and the temple of Seti I at Abydos.

Biography

Edward received his PhD from The Queen’s College, University of Oxford, where he held the Barns Studentship in Egyptology. His doctoral research examined the gendered representation of goddesses in tombs and temples of the late New Kingdom, and his ongoing projects continue to explore aspects of gender and religion in ancient Egypt. He lectured as Tutor in Egyptology at Swansea University and taught several courses for the EES’ online programme.

Edward joined the Egypt Exploration Society in May 2022. As Development Manager he works to facilitate the Society’s development projects; through fundraising, events organising, and building relationships with our colleagues and supporters, he helps the EES to realise its mission of supporting and widening access to Egyptian cultural heritage.

Alongside his research and teaching experience, Edward has an active record of outreach work (from museum talks to producing online materials), believing that engagement with Egyptian cultural heritage should be accessible and appealing to a diversity of audiences. Outside of Egyptology, Ed has performed as a comedian across the UK and internationally.