The recent discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb has created a very
general interest in that most fascinating science, Egyptology. The
authorities tell us that there is in existence a drawing which shows the
Princess Sedel and Prince Nereb of the Fourth Dynasty, which began about
4748 B. C.
The laws of the ancient Egyptians were codified, and while most of these
are lost, yet it is known that the administration of justice was well
organized. Efforts were made to discover the offenders, the case set
forth in writing, the defendant permitted to state his case, witnesses
were called and judges considered the matter. No pleading was allowed, as
the Egyptians considered that eloquence, by affecting the emotions, might
be detrimental to justice.
Murder was punishable by death; so also was perjury. For treachery the
punishment was loss of the tongue; for forgery, the right hand was cut
off. Noblemen and high officials found guilty of a crime were bound as a
matter of honor to commit suicide. One document, relating to a court of
special inquiry, states: “They found him guilty. They sent him back to
his own house. He took his own life.”
All citizens were registered, the name, address and occupation being duly
reported. A full description of the person was added for identification
when deeds were drawn up: “Panouthes, aged about forty-five, of middle
size, dark complexion and handsome figure, bald, round-faced and straight
nosed.”
Perhaps one of the strangest details of the Egyptian penal law was their
method of dealing with robbers. All professional thieves sent in their
names to the Arch-thief, and always informed him of the goods stolen,
giving details. If, therefore, a robbery took place, the victim at once
lodged a complaint with this chief of the thieves, stating the nature and
value of the missing objects, and the time of the theft. The articles
could thus be identified, and after paying one-quarter the value the
owner received them back uninjured.