Author Description

This book explores for the first time deviant behaviour in ancient Egyptian society and society's sanctions in response to it; theories derived from the field of anthropology and sociology of law are taken into consideration. Full use is made not only of juridical texts, but all varieties of textual and archaeological sources. All forms of deviant behaviour are described and classified primarily according to their target of the action. Then follows a discussion of all kinds of sanctions, both negative and positive. In general, the classification of crimes and punishments is based on different criteria to those used in Roman or modern law. E.g., the use of force did not play a decisive role and imprisonment did not exist as a form of punishment.