With the Greek colonization of Egypt came an erosion of certain liberties for women. Ptolemy Philopater (238-205 BC) decreed that a husband's permission was required before a woman could sell or distribute her property.
At a later date, Egyptian law made sure that certain conjugal obligations towards women were represented:
"If you take a woman in her purity, and she pleases you more than anything the city can offer you, then she has certain rights over you.... Do not cast her away, but devour her with kisses. She, joyful in her heart, counts upon what is due to her."
