Growing up and getting old in ancient Egypt

This book combines the Janssen's two earlier works into one volume.

Both make extensive use of literary sources and artefacts, particularly those which are less well known to present a compelling portrait of two slightly neglected areas of study in Ancient Egypt, childhood and old age. Growing up includes sections on various life stages: the baby, early childhood, school, adolesence, as well as aspects such as dress, and play. Getting old looks at Egyptian perceptions of old age and the depiction of the old in art, at practical matters such as care of the elderly, pensions and inheritance law, and at the place of ancestors in Egyptian thought.

The sections conclude with a more in depth look at royal experiences of childhood and old age, for which the sources are obviously more abundant.

Both sections of the book have been updated slightly and corrections added.