1. Equal Rights for Men and Women: Contrary to many ancient cultures, Ancient Egyptian society treated men and women equally regarding divorce rights. Both husbands and wives could initiate divorce proceedings.
2. Contractual Marriage: The concept of marriage was seen as a legal agreement between two individuals. A marriage contract would specify the terms of the union, including procedures and stipulations in the event of a divorce.
3. Grounds for Divorce: Several factors could be considered valid reasons for divorce, such as adultery, neglect of duties by either spouse, prolonged absence, physical abuse, or infertility.
4. Mutual Consent: Ideally, divorce was viewed as a mutual agreement between husband and wife. They could choose to end the marriage amicably, without involving third parties or legal intervention.
5. Division of Property: In cases of mutual consent divorce, the couple would often divide their property according to the marriage contract and negotiate child custody arrangements.
6. Written Divorce Agreement: In order to formalize the divorce, a written document called a "divorce deed" was created, outlining the terms and conditions of the separation. Witnesses would sign this agreement to ensure its legality.
7. Legal Procedures: In situations where divorce was contested or required external mediation, individuals could seek assistance from courts or legal authorities.
8. Remarriage: After a divorce, both parties were permitted to remarry, as Egyptian culture did not consider divorce as a social stigma.
It is important to note that while these principles generally held true in Ancient Egyptian society, there were differences and variations in legal practices over time and based on social status and region. Nevertheless, Ancient Egypt displayed a remarkable level of gender equality and legal protections concerning divorce when compared to many other civilizations of its era.