laration: “With regard to any king and any potentate who shall par-
don him, he shall not assume the White Crown, he shall not take
up the Red Crown, he shall not sit on the Horus-throne of the
Living, and the Two Ladies shall not be gracious to him as one
whom they love.”^529
An example of a curse in a private legal documents is in the
Adoption Papyrus: “[As for any who shall contest their rights]—may
a donkey copulate with him and a donkey with his wife.”^530
One may also achieve security by invoking divine aid or author-
ity.^531 The god Amun, for instance, places the agreement regarding
a priestly office between King Ahmose and Queen Ahmosenefertere
under his protection.^5329.2 Oracular Judgments
By the later Ramesside period, private individuals often turn to the
gods in order to solve their legal problems through oracular judg-
ments.^533 People consulted also deified pharaohs, such as Ahmose,
Ramesses II, and Amenhotep I.^534 The nature of these oracular pro-
cedures and their relationship to the “secular” courts are still the
subject of debate.9.2.1 Especially significant in Deir el-Medina was the oracle of the
deified Eighteenth Dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotep I (considered the
founder of the community). His statue, borne by priests, was con-
sulted in oracular fashion. Generally, people sought such decisions
during processions.^535 These events could take place at the Temple
of Amenhotep I (near the Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor), but oracles
and inquiries happened elsewhere as well, such as at the workmen’s
tombs, for example.(^529) Translated by Lorton, “Treatment.. .,” on 18–21. See also Théodoridès,
“Rapports.. .,” 132.
(^530) Gardiner, “Adoption.. .,” 24. See also Lorton, “Treatment.. .,” 27.
(^531) Allam, “Publizität.. .,” 31.
(^532) Gitton, “La résiliation.. .,” 72.
(^533) See McDowell, Jurisdiction.. ., 107–41 (oracles). See also Allam, “Zur Gottes-
gerichtsbarkeit.. .”; Lurje, Studien.. ., 97–125; Ryholt, “Oracular Petitions...”
(^534) See Römer, Gottes-und Priesterherrschaft.. ., 455–56; Théodoridès, “Ouvriers.. .,”
199–201.
(^535) Lorton, “Legal and Social Institutions,” 357. On the p ̇-n∆roracular mecha-
nism (lit., “god-arrival” or “reaching the god”), see Kruchten, “Instrument.. .” See
also Eyre, “Work.. .,” 176.
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