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.
Exchange students have priority and will be registered for the course first. Any remaining seats will be available for students from Leiden University and other Dutch Universities.
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
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.