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Ancient Egyptian Law

Course
2013-2014

Please note that the following description of the course is only provisional and therefore subject to change.

Admission requirements

Not applicable.

Description

No actual law codes from ancient Egypt have come down to us, although a few legal manuals have survived. In this course we will examine some of the basic aspects of the Egyptian legal system using these manuals as well as hieroglyphic, hieratic and demotic sources such as sales, loans, donations, marriage and divorce, inheritance, lease, etc., including a famous lawsuit from Assyut (170 BC). Translations of these sources – mostly written on papyrus – will be provided prior to each class.

Course objectives

Objectives of the course
To acquaint students with the basic principles of the legal system of ancient Egypt and demotic papyrology using translations of legal documents from the Middle Kingdom to the Roman Period.

Achievement levels
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:

  • basic principles of the legal system of ancient Egypt and demotic papyrology using translations of legal documents from the Middle Kingdom to the Roman Period.

Timetable

The timetable of this course can be found in uSis.

Mode of instruction

Lectures

  • Number of (2 hour) lectures: 10
    Following an introduction by the lecturer students will each give a 20 minute peer-reviewed presentation on a specific subject.

  • Names of lecturers: Dr. K. Donker van Heel

  • Required preparation by students: Students are expected to study the translated texts that will be used prior to each class.

Seminars

  • Number of (2 hour) seminars: Not applicable

  • Names of instructors:

  • Required preparation by students:

Other methods of instruction

  • Description: Visit to the collection of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (Leiden).

  • Number of (2 hour) instructions:

  • Names of instructors:

  • Required preparation by students:

Assessment method

Examination form(s)
Attendance, preparation and participation in class discussion (50%). Final written exam (50%).

Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.

Blackboard

More information on this course is offered in Blackboard.

Reading list

Obligatory course materials
Literature:

  • J.G. Manning, ‘Egypt. Demotic Law’, in: (R. Westbrook (ed.), A History of Ancient Near Eastern Law, Vol. 2 (Handbuch der Orientalistik / Handbook of Oriental Studies. Ägyptologie I, 72/2) 2003, pp. 819-862

  • K. Donker van Heel, Djekhy & Son. Doing Business in Ancient Egypt (2012)

Course information guide:

  • Digital copies will be provided prior to each class.

Reader:

  • None.

Recommended course materials

  • None.

Registration

Students have to register for courses and exams through uSis.

Contact details

  • Co-ordinator: K. Donker van Heel

  • Work address: Papyrological Institute

  • Contact information: inside University Library, Witte Singel 27, Leiden

  • Telephone number: 071-5272906

  • Email: k.donker.van.heel@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Departement/division

  • Institute: Papyrological Institute

  • Department: Papyrology

  • Room number secretary: Not applicable

  • Opening hours: Mondy-Friday 09.00-17.00

  • Telephone number secretary: Not applicable

  • Email: Not applicable

Remarks

None.

Contractenonderwijs

Not applicable.