Judicial Papyrus of Turin
Encyclopedia
The Judicial Papyrus of Turin (also Turin legal papyrus) is an ancient Egyptian record of the trials held against conspirators plotting to assassinate Ramesses III
in what is referred to as the "Harem Conspiracy". The papyrus contains mostly summaries of the accusations, convictions and punishments meted out.
Two further papyri deal with the magical aspects of this case: the Rollin and Lee papyri describe the magic used and the punishments apportioned, which in all three cases was a death sentence.
was characterized by external conflict and internal decline, which seem to have weakened the position of the pharaoh, surrounded by servants and officials of foreign descent. Symptomatic for the state of the country was the apparent incapability of the bureaucracy to supply the workers at Deir el Medina which brought about the first recorded strike in the history of mankind in the 29th year of Ramesses' reign. In this atmosphere of uncertainty, Queen Tiye
wanted to substitute her own son Pentawer
for Ramesses' designated heir, Ramesses-Hekma-Meriamun
, a son of the main royal wife Ese
(Isis), and she had no problems finding influential people who would assist her.
and a number of important officials serving in close proximity to the king. They obtained magical wax figurines with which they hoped to render the royal guards powerless. The main attack against the king was to come from inside the harem, supported by a revolt on the outside. The plot was uncovered before it could be carried out. The conspirators were arrested and put on trial.
The papyrus is not a detailed record of court proceedings, but rather a list of the defendants–often referring to them by a pseudonym such as Mesedsure, meaning Re hates him, –the crimes they were accused of and their sentence. The courts actions and decisions were summarized thus:
In view of the severity of their crimes it is generally assumed that they received the death sentence. The manner of execution is not mentioned. Some of the accused, among them Ramesses' son Pentawer, were allowed (or forced) to take their own lives. The text refers to it laconically:
An incident embarrassing to the king occurred during the trial when five of his judges joined six of the accused women in a carousal. One of the judges was condemned to commit suicide, three were disfigured and one reprimanded.
Ramesses III
Usimare Ramesses III was the second Pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty and is considered to be the last great New Kingdom king to wield any substantial authority over Egypt. He was the son of Setnakhte and Queen Tiy-Merenese. Ramesses III is believed to have reigned from March 1186 to April 1155 BCE...
in what is referred to as the "Harem Conspiracy". The papyrus contains mostly summaries of the accusations, convictions and punishments meted out.
Two further papyri deal with the magical aspects of this case: the Rollin and Lee papyri describe the magic used and the punishments apportioned, which in all three cases was a death sentence.
Historical background
The reign of Ramesses IIIRamesses III
Usimare Ramesses III was the second Pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty and is considered to be the last great New Kingdom king to wield any substantial authority over Egypt. He was the son of Setnakhte and Queen Tiy-Merenese. Ramesses III is believed to have reigned from March 1186 to April 1155 BCE...
was characterized by external conflict and internal decline, which seem to have weakened the position of the pharaoh, surrounded by servants and officials of foreign descent. Symptomatic for the state of the country was the apparent incapability of the bureaucracy to supply the workers at Deir el Medina which brought about the first recorded strike in the history of mankind in the 29th year of Ramesses' reign. In this atmosphere of uncertainty, Queen Tiye
Tiye (20th dynasty)
Tiye was an Ancient Egyptian queen of the twentieth dynasty; a secondary wife of Ramesses III, against whom she instigated a conspiracy.Tiye is known from the Judicial Papyrus of Turin, which recorded that there was a conspiracy against Ramesses, in which several people in high positions in the...
wanted to substitute her own son Pentawer
Pentawer
Pentawer was an ancient Egyptian prince of the 20th dynasty, a son of Pharaoh Ramesses III and a secondary wife, Tiye.He was to be the beneficiary of the harem plot planned by his mother Tiye to assassinate the pharaoh. Tiye wanted her son to succeed the pharaoh, even though the rightful heir was...
for Ramesses' designated heir, Ramesses-Hekma-Meriamun
Ramesses IV
Heqamaatre Ramesses IV was the third pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. His name prior to assuming the crown was Amonhirkhopshef...
, a son of the main royal wife Ese
Iset Ta-Hemdjert
Iset Ta-Hemdjert or Isis Ta-Hemdjert, simply called Isis in her tomb, was an Ancient Egyptian queen of the twentieth dynasty; the Great Royal Wife of Ramesses III and the Royal Mother of Ramesses VI....
(Isis), and she had no problems finding influential people who would assist her.
The conspiracy
Tiye enlisted the help of PebekkamenPebekkamen
Pebekkamen was one of the primary conspirators in the Harem conspiracy, a plot to overthrow Ramesses III of the twentieth dynasty of Egypt. Papyrus transcripts indicate that prior to his arrest, Pebekkamen had served as chief of the chamber to Ramesses. Of his crimes, the court records state:He was...
and a number of important officials serving in close proximity to the king. They obtained magical wax figurines with which they hoped to render the royal guards powerless. The main attack against the king was to come from inside the harem, supported by a revolt on the outside. The plot was uncovered before it could be carried out. The conspirators were arrested and put on trial.
The trial
The court consisted of twelve judges, among them two overseers of the White House (the ancient Egyptian treasury) and ten further officials of lower rank. In his instructions to the court the king orders them to mete out justice without referring to him. This has been interpreted by some as an attempt on the king's behalf at keeping himself blameless for their fate.The papyrus is not a detailed record of court proceedings, but rather a list of the defendants–often referring to them by a pseudonym such as Mesedsure, meaning Re hates him, –the crimes they were accused of and their sentence. The courts actions and decisions were summarized thus:
He was placed before the nobles of the court of examination; they found him guilty; they brought his punishment upon him
In view of the severity of their crimes it is generally assumed that they received the death sentence. The manner of execution is not mentioned. Some of the accused, among them Ramesses' son Pentawer, were allowed (or forced) to take their own lives. The text refers to it laconically:
They (i.e. the judges) left him in his place, he took his own life.
An incident embarrassing to the king occurred during the trial when five of his judges joined six of the accused women in a carousal. One of the judges was condemned to commit suicide, three were disfigured and one reprimanded.