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'Lower your arms, bend your back!': Ancient Egyptian 'body behaviour' as an expression of respect towards social superiors

Christos Kekes

Abstract


In the present study, the Egyptian standard of proper social behavior during the interaction of ancient Egyptians is outlined. This social standard is traced through ancient Egyptian texts and iconography. I am mainly interested in the appropriate social behavior as it was expressed through various body postures and gestures. This particular “body behavior” mainly concerned the proper way in which ancient Egyptians approached and interacted with social superiors: higher officials, elders or the Pharaoh. Aspects of appropriate body behavior are evidenced in religious contexts, too: when approaching a temple or a divine statue, or even in the mythological afterlife journey of the dead.

It is deduced that the social status of ancient Egyptians strictly defined their public behavior, especially in relation to the divine world and their social superiors. The social stratification, as well as Egypt’s superiority and Pharaoh’s power and authority were always to be demonstrated and maintained in perpetuity. Moreover, it seems that the stratification of the ancient Egyptian society was maintained in the Afterworld, too. The submissive postures and gestures presented in this paper in the light of the afterlife journey of the dead, however, rather than reflecting Egyptians’ social inequality, may demonstrate the temporary dominance of the deceased Pharaoh and individuals in order to overcome their enemies, be transformed into blessed entities and united with the gods.


Keywords


Ancient Egypt; gestures; body behaviour; social interaction; respect

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26247/aura7.2

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