Horem - foreign affairs Flashcards
Why did he attempt to restore order and Ma’at ?
as the move away from a temple based economy during Akhenaten’s reign may have allowed local administrators and military officials to misuse the system (corrupt)
Where was corruption prevalent?
among high officials, partic those in judiciary
What was happening?
Appears to be widespread bribery and corruption
What kind of corruption took place?
o Illegal taking of boats and slaves (robbery)
o Theft of cattle hides (very valuable) by officials and soldiers “They went out from house to house, beating and plundering without leaving a hide for the ppl”
o Illegal taxation (double tax) of private farms
o Fraud in assessing these taxes (collecting too much for themselves)
o Exploitation of lower classes by tax collectors
o Robbery and extortion of good from peasants by soldiers (Egypt reps of country!)
Source for admin of empire?
Horemheb’s Edict of reform
Where was the Edict? What did it say?
Recorded on a stela on the north face of the 10th pylon at Karnak temple
Describe king’s desire to remove these crimes for empire
What did he do?
Seems to have made a ‘grand tour of Egypt’ to assess the situation and recruit men of good characters
What kind of harsh punishments was made according to Edict?
- Harsh punishment for perpetuators
- Removal of noses, exile, beating -> reflect his desperation to restore welfare of the Egyptian people and empire “beating him a hundred blows”
What did he do to reform judiciary?
toured upper and lower Egypt for men of good character who were good judges of ppl and followed laws. -> laid down strict guidelines to follow
What did he do remove local officials to extort extra taxes from peasants, farmers?
Horemheb produced the tax on mayors and town councils and revived practice of giving monthly banquet to treasury officials
Soldiers that stole from peasants forced to return it and king remitting their taxes
What kind of tours did he make throughout the land?
Made regular tours of inspection throughout land – “Behold, his majesty spent the whole time seeking the welfare of Egypt and searching out instance of oppression in the land”
what did he do by end of reign?
he re-established the gov of Egypt on sound lines
What is the Edict evidence of?
Evidence of instability and lack of control the Pharaoh had over these issues – these crimes common and often ignored by past pharaohs. As Amun priesthood shut fown, change in economy -> corrupt priests emerge. Corruption around officials rampant and state of disarray. Law and order not maintained.
what can the edict be seen as?
propaganda to gain support of the oppressed lower classes as the pharaoh that saved them (hero). The Edict emphasised Akh’s lack of control and corruption within empire to make himself look better. It shows Horemheb in a positive light, as an active pharaoh that protected the rights of the ordinary citizens and ended corruption in the empire. It elevates himself as higher status in eyes of people. Possibly an attempt to legitimise his kingship as non-royal. As the quotes states, “Behold, my majesty spent the whole time seeking the welfare of Egypt”
