Men of Ancient Egypt: An Exploration of Non-Elite Male Lives



Overview

Explore the lives of seven non-elite men who lived at Deir el-Medina, the New Kingdom desert village of Pharaohs' tomb-builders on the West Bank of modern Luxor.

Because of its remarkable 40% literacy rate, this settlement sheds light into father and son and teacher and pupil relationships, and the possibility for adoption if a couple remained childless.

Stark differences in father and son relationships are exemplified by the letters exchanged between the household patriarch Dhutimose, who was away travelling, and his caring son and fellow scribe Butehamun, and the series of texts concerning the ineffectual draughtsman Menna and his wayward, playboy son Merysekhmet.

We will examine how the Scribe of the Tomb and village poet Amenakhte found time to teach his model pupil Hormin in the Valley of the Kings, in what is an ancient example of work-based learning.

The course culminates with an examination of the septuagenarian Qenhikhopshef, his teenage wife Naunakhte, and their childlessness.

A class visit to the Ashmolean Museum provides an opportunity to actively engage with pertinent artefacts, including the famous Adoption Papyrus.

Programme details

Course starts Thursday 22 January 2026

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 2-4pm.

Week 1: Dhutimose and his caring son Butehamun

Week 2: Menna and his wayward son Merysekhmet

Week 3: Amenakhte and his diligent pupil Hormin

Week 4: Visit to the Ashmolean Museum

Week 5: The childless Qenhikhopshef and his library

Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee £180.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses. 

Tutor

Mrs Rosalind Janssen

Rosalind Janssen’s career was spent at UCL: firstly as a curator of the Petrie Museum, and then as a Lecturer in Egyptology at the Institute of Archaeology. She currently teaches Egyptology at the OUDCE and the City Lit in London.

Course aims

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the lives of seven non-elite males at Deir el-Medina, by providing an insight into their relationships from the evidence afforded by written texts and material culture.

Course objectives:

  • describe the lives of seven non-elite men living at Deir el-Medina; 
  • recognise what their life courses have to tell us about father-son and teacher-pupil relationships and the impact of childlessness; 
  • evaluate the supporting evidence regarding non-elite men from material culture.

 

Teaching methods

A diverse range of teaching methods will be used throughout the course, acknowledging that students learn in different ways.

Seminar format with:

  • tutor presentations using PowerPoint and video clips
  • questions and answers
  • whole group discussion
  • small group activities
  • museum object-based learning

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to:

  • recognise father son and teacher pupil relationships of non-elite men at Deir el-Medina;
  • evaluate the impact of childlessness for the lives of non-elite men at Deir el-Medina;
  • have engaged in object-based learning in order to discuss representations of non-elite males.

Assessment methods

This course is not accredited, so there are no assessments or coursework.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.

While this is an introductory course, you will find it helpful to have consulted the two books designated as preparatory reading.

You may also wish to consult the website of the Ashmolean Museum's Ancient Egypt and Sudan Collection in preparation for the class visit.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support