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4.4.1 Terminology
̇m,^184 and more frequently, b3kare the usual terms for “slaves/servants”
in the Third Intermediate period.^1854.4.2 Categories
Menu suggests that three types of dependents (i.e., servants or slaves)
may be distinguished: (1) peasants working state or temple lands, (2)
prisoners of war or captive foreigners redistributed by pharaoh to
his officials, and (3) domestic servants.^1864.4.3 Creation
According to Bakir, contracts between two persons in which one
becomes a servant/slave to the other are known from the Twenty-
fifth to Twenty-seventh Dynasties. In these contracts, a man also
“gives the buyer indefinite rights over the vendor as well as his pre-
sent and future children and earnings in perpetuity.”^1874.4.4 Treatment
It is possible that “prisoners of war” or slaves were branded.^188
P. Strassburg 39 (Twenty-first Dynasty) mentions the flight and pur-
suit of a servant.^189- F
Given the political instability of the Third Intermediate period, it may
be supposed that one’s dependence on family support, ties, and con-
tacts became ever more pronounced. Several legal texts preserve par-
ticularly illuminating statements regarding family relationships. In the(^184) Bakir, Slavery.. ., 32 (tends to be used for “slave” until the Twenty-second
Dynasty, then “servant,” and even “priest,” thereafter). See also Loprieno, Egyptians
.. ., 213, on the disappearance of the term ̇m, “slave” in “administrative docu-
ments” after the Twenty-second Dynasty.
(^185) See Jasnow and Vittmann, “Abnormal Hieratic Letter.. .,” 37, and Cruz-
Uribe, “Slavery.. .,” 47.
(^186) Menu, Recherches.. ., 185.
(^187) Bakir, Slavery.. ., 9, but I believe that such “self-sale” documents actually only
begin in the Twenty-sixth Dynasty; cf. also Bakir, Slavery.. ., 56–57; Menu, “Cessions
de services.. .,” 82.
(^188) Graefe and Wassef, “Eine fromme Stiftung.. .,” 109.
(^189) Wente, Letters.. ., 206; so too P. Strassburg 26 (ibid.).
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