Unit 1 Activity 4: Ancient Egyptian Law

Caroline FuJustina HoRomy Zack

Culture and Time Period [3500BC] Early settlers in the Nile Valley

[3100BC] First ancient Egyptian dynasty [1000BC] Egypt split and later conquered by outside forces

-daily life revolved around the Nile-most worked as field hands and farmers, and also as craftsmen or scribes-believed in and worshipped many different gods and goddesses

Specific Examples of Ancient Egyptian Law *everybody (except slaves) considered equal under the law

ex) individuals sentenced to exile, children had to go with them individuals deserting from military service, entire family imprisoned*women had certain rights under civil law even though men ruled

ex) property of a deceased person divided equally between male/female children*criminal law often brutal

-stolen/embezzled goods: return of goods plus fine worth twice their value-tax evasion, murder: capital punishment (impaling, burning, drowning, decapitation)

-corporal punishment = beating, mutilation, branding-exile and forced labour

Unit 1 Activity 4: Ancient Egyptian Law

Caroline FuJustina HoRomy Zack

Relevance to Contemporary Law Ancient Egypt’s comprehensive legal system and developed society influenced civilizations and laws even into modern times. However its violent punishments and heavy reliance on religion are no longer compatible with current North American legal systems.•Not unlike our own society, ancient Egyptian laws were based on a common sense view of right and wrong.• In modern times we have natural law, which are laws we inherently understand and obey. •Current laws and Ancient Egyptian laws both share similar purposes, such as achieving impartiality and social equality• The Ancient Egyptian legal system largely revolved around religion. Ancient Egyptians believed justice embodied the judgment of the dead. •In North America we have a secular legal system. •Punishments in Egypt were violent and often resulted in death.•There is no death penalty in Canada, nor is there any kind of physically harmful punishments. Social Values of Ancient EgyptAs a socially conscious and religious society, Ancient Egypt’s legal system had many ties to the upper powers of the Pharaoh and Ma’at (the goddess representing truth, order and balance); they believe that everyone- including women- except for slaves should be viewed as equals; and believed in harsh punishments as well as an afterlife. •Under civil law, the story of the Eloquent Peasant proves that the problems of a peasant are just as important as those of a wealthy man.  •If a person was convicted guilty in a trial and is sentenced to death it was believed that the court of death would destroy their souls. However, if the Court of Death determines an individual to have been good during their mortal lifetime, he would become one of the blessed death and his spirit will live on forever.•Women could also own property, file lawsuits, be witnesses in court and file for divorce, this was not common in this time period.  In addition, slaves were allowed to own property in special circumstances.