Abstract

VAN BLERK, NJ. The emergence of law in ancient Egypt: The role of Maat. Fundamina (Pretoria) [online]. 2018, vol.24, n.1, pp.69-88. ISSN 2411-7870.  https://doi.org/10.17159/2411-7870/2018/v24n1a4.

In this article, the emergence of ancient Egyptian law out of religion and specifically arising from the concept of maat is discussed, as well as the important role played by religion, and specifically maat, in the ancient Egyptians' understanding and development of the law. An attempt is made to indicate that the ancient Egyptians indeed had law and to explain what the ancient Egyptians understood by law, followed by a discussion of the development of ancient Egyptian law and key jurisprudence elements of ancient Egyptian law.

Keywords : Ancient Egypt; emergence of Egyptian law; importance of religion; hp; hpw; maat; jurisprudence; justice; balance; impartiality; tradition; precedent; custom.

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