Discuss The Role Of Punishment In Ancient Egypt

It is widely believed that the Egyptian law and culture was based on the common sense of right and wrong. Following the codes based on the concept of the Ma’at. The Ma’at was pictured as a woman with an ostrich feather and represented truth, order, balance and justice of the universe. She was godness and the symbol of the ever important equilibrium of the universe. This concept applied to all people regardless of class or gender although since the slaves were not considered people or the pharaoh who was believed to be a God-King; although the king was expected to not attempt to change anything radically or they would upset the equilibrium of the universe.

The Egyptian law was governed by religious principles. The role of the Ma’at was essential
The heart of the deceased was placed on a pair of enormous scales. It was weighed against the principle of truth and justice (Ma’at), represented by a feather. If the heart weighed against the feather or lighter than the deceased had led a virtuous life
One that a severe punishment for crimes would act as a deterrent, the use of punishment is used as a threat to deter other people from offending said crime. Two, disgrace was more effective than death. The laws were fair and equitable but due to these 2 principles the punishments could be severe. Tomb robbing was considered to be one of the most heinous crimes since the ancient Egyptians viewed death as a continuation of life and the tombs ensured the deceased would live greatly in Aaru, the heavenly paradise. Thievery was often punished by requiring the return of all stolen goods and making the thief pay double the cost of the goods. Usually when punishments were carried out the whole family suffered. For example, when an individual were sentenced to exile often their children were right away outlawed with them. If a relative deserted the military service or defaulted on the labour demands of the state, the entire family could most likely be imprisoned, although they could erase humiliation by preforming a courageous deed. Typical punishments consisted of death or mutilation. However, being exiled from the land or sentenced to labour in distant mines and quarries was not uncommon. The Egyptians had no sort of codified laws; their legal systems were mainly based on the Ma'at and the rule of precedent, similar cases result similar results. In extreme cases, capital punishment is