12 Sep 2022            PENDULUM HOTEL, SACKVILLE STREET, MANCHESTER, M1 3BB         

Roger Forshaw: Servants of the God among ‘the most religious of peoples’ – their Lives and their Scandals

There is certain evidence of how the priesthood in ancient Egypt were organised, their function and qualifications or prerequisites necessary for admission to this office. However, did they lead saintly lives or did they abuse their position? Some amassed great fortunes while others were virtuous and displayed personal piety. Texts reveal a number of scandals including drunken behaviour, acceptance of bribes, stealing temple property and manipulation of oracular decisions. A lector was among the accused in the Harem Conspiracy and Penanukis, a wab priest in the temple of Khnum at Elephantine, was indicted for a series of crimes including theft, adultery and disrespect for sacred places. It would seem that prayer and religious speculation were not the sole occupations of the servants of the God.

Roger is an honorary lecturer in Biomedical Egyptology at the University of Manchester. A former dental surgeon, he later studied Egyptology at the University of Exeter and obtained his PhD at the University of Manchester. HIs research interests include the role of the lector in ancient Egyptian society, the Saite Period, and medical and dental care in ancient Egypt, and he has published a number of books and papers on these topics. He is also our MAES treasurer!

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