Crime & Punishment in Ancient Egypt By Krishna Horrigan

Introduction Laws were important to make Egyptian culture run well. None of the laws were written. We have learned about laws from stories and carvings.

A Pharaoh presenting the symbol of Justice to the god of Dekkah Temple, Ptolemic era Pharaoh The pharaoh was the judge of the high court. The people thought of the king as a god, so whatever he said went.

Ma’at Goddess of truth, justice and balance

Gold Ma’at pendant from the British Museum Ma’at

In the British Museum in London. A story on papyrus paper. Helps us understand the Ancient Egyptian’s sense of right and wrong The Eloquent Peasant

The story of a poor farmer going to market with his goods on an donkey. Land owner/rich man wanted to trick peasant Laid carpet on path/road as a trap Peasant tells his story over and over. Goes to seven courts to argue his case Ends up telling his story to the pharaoh The Eloquent Peasant

King Menes was a very important ruler He made the first legal system King Menes this is a picture of him punishing a person who has broken the law

Found in the tomb of Mehu, a fifth dynasty judge Inscriptions describe him as zAb (judge), Priest of Maat, the Goddess of Truth, Eldest One of the Hall and Secretary of the Secret Decisions of the Great Judgment Court. Ancient Judge

Included: Getting whipped or beat Amputation (getting something cut off.) Punishments Hand cut off if you stole.

Punishment of a grave robber Buried alive Punishments

If a kid killed his or her parent(s) they would have their skin cut with reeds Be put on a bed of thorns then burned alive. But if a parent killed their kid(s) they would only have to hold their kid(s) for three days. Punishments

Death Sentence If you did a really serious crime, you would be sentenced to death left to be eaten by the alligators If you had a very high rank, they might let you commit suicide

The husband wrote this contract He said he would pay the wife some money within 30 days of divorce Marriage Contract They could get married again after divorce Eight witnesses signed the back of the contract

Loans not a modern invention. This papyrus is a contract to repay a quantity of grain. The loan is for approximately seven months Interest is not charged on the basic loan. if the loan is not repaid by the set date, the debtor,Amenhotep, agrees to pay an additional fifty percent to Padimin, the owner of the grain, a month later. A summary was written at the top of the papyrus The papyrus was sealed up. An ancient loan agreement