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Slavery in Ancient Egypt

Slavery in ancient Egypt was established in the New Kingdom (1550-1175 BCE). Discussions of slavery in Pharaonic Egypt are hindered by the complicated terminology used by the Egyptians to refer to different classes of people with limited freedom; these terms also changed in meaning over the course of dynastic history. Interpretation of the textual evidence of slaves in ancient Egypt is indistinct and has been difficult to differentiate between “servant” and “slave” by word usage alone.[1] There were three types of enslavement in Ancient Egypt: chattel slavery, bonded labor, and forced labor.[2][3][4]


Chattel slaves were mostly captives of war. All captives, including civilians not a part of the military forces, become a royal resource. The pharaoh would then resettle the captives by moving them into colonies for labour, giving them to temples, giving them as rewards to deserving individuals, and giving them to his soldiers as booty. Some chattel slaves began as free people who were found guilty of committing illicit acts and were forced to give up their freedom. Other chattel slaves were born into the life from a slave mother.[5]



Ancient Egyptians were able to sell themselves into slavery in a form of bonded labor. Selfsale into servitude was not always a choice made by the individuals’ free will, but rather a result of individuals who were unable to pay off their debts.[6] The creditor would wipe the debt by acquiring the individual who was in debt as a slave, along with his children and wife. The debtor would also have to give up all that was owned. Peasants were also able to sell themselves into slavery for food or shelter.[3][4]

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