Expert: Francesco Marchesani - 11/6/2004

Question
Hello, I have two questions about ancient Egypt…

1.   I have just finished reading Alberto Siliotti's “Guide to the Valley of the Kings”, where on page 124-125 he describes and translates the hieroglyphics that are found at the temple site of Medinet Habu (Temple of Ramesses III). Several walls of main scenes consisted of Ramesse's military expeditions against the Libyans, Hittite, Philistines, and the Peoples of the Sea. Two sections (besides several others) briefly read out how the “pharaoh carries out the ritual sacrifice of the prisoners before Re-Harakhty and Amun-Re” and “ The pharaoh carries out the ritual sacrifice of the prisoners to Amun-Re and Ptah”. In all of my reading of ancient Egypt (from the first dynasty to the Assyrian conquests), I have never come across any mention of human sacrifice to the Egyptian gods. Was this a common practice (such as with the Toltec's, Babylonians, or Aztecs), or only during certain festivals? In addition, how were they sacrificed (altars, ect)?
2.   Was slavery common from the first dynasty until the Assyrian/Persian invasions (omitting the Nubian and Libyan dynasties)?

Thanks, appreciate any response (or guide to an answer).

Jeff


Answer
Hello,
at the time of Ramesses III, human sacrifices weren't in use anymore. What is shown in the Medinet Habu's reliefs is, to my knowledge, a symbolical representation of the victory with consequent offering of the spoils of the already-slain enemies; those eventually killed after the battle were executed as, we'd say nowadays, "war-criminals", not as ritual victims.
Please visit these websites for informations about slavery, human sacrifices, and some translations of the Medinet Habu's texts.

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/humansac.htm

http://nefertiti.iwebland.com/timelines/topics/slavery.htm

http://www.courses.psu.edu/cams/cams400w_aek11/mhabtext.html