K Edwards - MA Hons Dissertation

“Inscriptional Violence” and Punishment in the First Intermediate Period ___________________________________

The threat-formulae of Jt(=j)-jb(=j), 3tj II and anx.tj=fj

Katrina Jane Edwards Supervisor: Prof. Anthony Spalinger

Dissertation submitted as part of the requirement for the degree of MA (Honours) in Ancient History (ANCHIST790, 30 points)

ABSTRACT Threat-formulae served as an important means of protection against tomb violation throughout much of ancient Egyptian history. Threats describe devastating punishments for would-be malefactors, such as debaptism or the loss of a ritual burial. However, in 1990, Harco Willems argued that threat-formulae could also be viewed as evidence for capital punishment – a theory which has since attracted both critics and supporters, and is now arguably in need of further review. This dissertation revisits Willems' theory through analysis of two First Intermediate Period examples from the 'autobiographical' inscriptions of Siut governors, Ityiby and Khety II, along with discussion of the No.8 inscription of “The Autobiography of Ankhtify.” It provides fresh translations and accompanying commentaries for each of these texts, and concludes with a debate regarding the nature of punishments described within them. Using later copies of the Siut texts from Tebtunis, this work argues that past interpretations of punishments within the Siut formulae require amendment, and now seem less likely to describe capital punishment. It likewise considers the merits of Arkadi Demidchik's recent interpretation of Ankhtify's No.8 Inscription, which also challenges capital punishment theories.

Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS NOTE ON ABBREVIATIONS AND TABLES LIST OF FIGURES 1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................1 2. THE THREAT-FORMULAE OF J6(=J)-JB(=J) AND 36J II.....................................4 2.1 Historical Background...................................................................................4 Fig. 1...............................................................................................................6 Fig. 2...............................................................................................................7 2.1.1 Jt(=j)-jb(=j) Stipulation A............................................................................8 2.2.2 Injunction A: negative threats.....................................................................9 2.2.3 Injunction A: active threats.......................................................................10 Fig. 3.............................................................................................................11 Fig. 4.............................................................................................................12 2.2.4 Jt(=j)-jb(=j) Stipulation B..........................................................................13 Fig. 5.............................................................................................................15 2.2.5 Injunction B: negative threats...................................................................16 2.2.6 Injunction B: active threats.......................................................................18 Fig. 6.............................................................................................................19 Fig. 7.............................................................................................................20 2.3.1 3tj II Stipulation.......................................................................................21 2.3.2 Injunction: negative threats.......................................................................22 2.3.3 Injunction: active threats...........................................................................23 3. THE NO.8 INSCRIPTION IN “THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF aN2.6J=FJ”...........25 3.1 Historical Background.................................................................................25 Fig. 8.............................................................................................................26 3.2 Stipulation....................................................................................................27 3.3 Injunction: active threats..............................................................................29 3.4 Injunction: negative threats..........................................................................32 Fig. 9..............................................................................................................34 4. THE NATURE OF PUNISHMENT IN THE THREAT-FORMULAE OF J6(=J)- JB(=J), 36J II AND aN2.6J=FJ............................................................35 4.1 Punishments of Jt(=j)-jb(=j) and 3tj II: previous interpretations.................35 4.2 The curious case of anx.tj=fj.........................................................................40 4.3 Punishments of Jt(=j)-jb(=j), 3tj II and anx.tj=fj: a fresh perspective........44 5. CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................46 BIBLIOGRAPHY...........................................................................................................47