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4.3.2 The wifehood document between the groom Anani and
Meshullam, master of his bride, allowed the master to reclaim the
couple’s already existing child Pilti should Anani divorce his wife. A
supralinear addition, moreover, fined Meshullam fifty shekels for
unwarranted reclamation (EPE B36:13–14). Even a slave child was
shown concern. When the two sons of Mibtahiah divided up her
slaves, a mother and three sons, each took one slave, but the mother
and the third child (presumably little) were not separated and remained
in joint possession (EPEB33). In transfers of property, children were
regularly included in the Investiture and Waiver clauses. The property
belonged to the new owner and his children and it was assumed
that any suit contesting ownership might be entered by the alienor’s
siblings or children against the alienee or his children (see, e.g., EPE
B37:11–19).4.3.3 Children and old folk were regularly the object of concern.
The papyrus and ostraca letters reverberate with such statements as
“It is well for Óarwodj here. Do not worry about him; as you could
do for him, I am doing for him. Both Tapmet and A ̇atsin are sup-
porting him. As much as I am doing for Óarwodj may (the god-
dess) Banit do for me” (EPE B3:3–5; cf. B43:17, B49) or “( you)
alone look after the children until A ̇utab comes. Do not entrust
them to others” (TAD D7.6:2–5; cf. 7.17:10, 7.43:7).4.3.4 The age of majority is unknown. The only age cited in the
papyri is that of death: “But if you die at the age of 100 years...
and moreover, if I, Anani, die at the age of 100 years,” our respec-
tive shares go to our mutual children (EPEB38:16–20).4.4 Slaves
4.4.1 A slave was chattel, seizable as security for unpaid debt, just
like realty and movables (EPEB34:7–10, 46:9–11). The tag “his/her
name” (“mh) was regularly added to the name of a subordinate,
whether chattel slave or servant of the king, while a slave bore a
brand on his/her right hand: “(Belonging) to PN” (EPEB33:4–7, 39:3;
TADD7.9:3–8). Jews held Egyptian slaves, traded in them, married
them, bequeathed them, and emancipated them. After the death of
the woman Mibtahiah, her sons divided up between themselves twowestbrook_f24_863-881 8/27/03 1:35 PM Page 873