Social aspects in ancient Egyptian personal correspondence

Abstract

There has been considerable interest in ancient Egyptian letters, but the methodology of the research has resulted in a “compartmentalisation” of attention. Rather than considering a wide range of extant personal correspondence from a societal perspective across the various periods of ancient Egyptian history, the focus has been on individual letters, or on specific collections or letters within collections. This study will look at a selection of private letters from the Old Kingdom to the Twenty-first Dynasties under the topic headings of Complaints, Religious affairs and personnel, Military and police matters, Daily Life. By analysing the content, personalising the writers and recipients, indicating differences in style and modes of address, defining historical context, it will show how such private letters can provide insight into aspects of lifestyle, belief, social behaviour and the issues and customs of daily life. It will also identify any similarities and changes that may have occurred over the timeframe. This study will show the important contribution such personal correspondence can provide as a primary source of social history in ancient Egypt.