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May my nose and ears be cut off: Practical and “supra-practical” Aspects of Mutilation in the Egyptian New Kingdom

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Loktionov, Alexandre Alexandrovich 

Abstract

This paper investigates mutilation of the nose and ears in New Kingdom Egypt (c. 1550-1070BCE). The topic is first contextualised within cross-cultural mutilation research, before discussion shifts to focus more closely on Egypt. The threat of mutilation in oaths is considered, as is the possibility of mutilation not being enforced if such oaths were broken. The paper then investigates the lived experience of mutilation, encompassing both physiological and social impairments. Finally, a ‘supra-practical’ aspect is proposed, considering the esoteric connotations of mutilation, this latter understood as a set of practices including but not confined to actual physical dismemberment.

Description

Keywords

mutilation, corporal punishment, lived experience, nose, ears

Journal Title

Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-4995
1568-5209

Volume Title

60

Publisher

Brill
Sponsorship
For funding the main research, my thanks go to the Master and Fellows of St John’s College, Cambridge, who provided a Benefactors Research Scholarship. For funding subsequent refinements and the completion of this article, I must thank the Arts and Humanities Doctoral Training Partnership (AHRC DTP) of the University of Cambridge and Robinson College, Cambridge, who have supported my PhD through a Lewis-AHRC Studentship (ah/L503897/1).