- Egyptian Archaeology, Old Kingdom Administration, Egyptian Economics, Amarna Studies, Ancient Egyptian Religion, Egyptian Art and Archaeology, and 9 moreEgyptian language, Roman Economy, Ancient Near Eastern Economy, Byzantine Studies, Roman Archaeology, Islamic Archaeology, Egyptology, History, and Archaeologyedit
- PhD Graduate Student (current), University of Auckland, 2019-present.
Master of Art (Honours), University of Auckland, 2014.
Bachelor of Arts, University of Auckland, 2012.edit - Anthony J. Spalingeredit
The limitations to state power, particularly in the matter of country-wide economics, mean that modern theories of economic behaviour must incorporate more flexible systems than have previously been using. One component of this discussion... more
The limitations to state power, particularly in the matter of country-wide economics, mean that modern theories of economic behaviour must incorporate more flexible systems than have previously been using.
One component of this discussion is examined, being the matter of Requsitioning. This little-known theory stipulates that, rather than collect and redistribute surplus resources across the country, the administrative bureaux of the King could permit their officials to take at need from local centres of wealth. In some cases, such as the Abydos Decree of Neferirkare, this had to be restricted, suggesting that different circumstances prevailed in different areas, and different times.
The talk examined documentary evidence for the practice, and its relevance to overall economic theory.
One component of this discussion is examined, being the matter of Requsitioning. This little-known theory stipulates that, rather than collect and redistribute surplus resources across the country, the administrative bureaux of the King could permit their officials to take at need from local centres of wealth. In some cases, such as the Abydos Decree of Neferirkare, this had to be restricted, suggesting that different circumstances prevailed in different areas, and different times.
The talk examined documentary evidence for the practice, and its relevance to overall economic theory.
Research Interests:
This presentation approached three documentary sources of the early and mid-Fifth Dynasty, in an attempt to determine some of the basic parameters for royal economic priorities in this era. The sources included: the Palermo Stone... more
This presentation approached three documentary sources of the early and mid-Fifth Dynasty, in an attempt to determine some of the basic parameters for royal economic priorities in this era. The sources included: the Palermo Stone (generally dated to the reign of Neferirkare); a royal Decree promulgated at Abydos by Neferirkare; and the archives of the Abusir funerary temples of Neferirkare and his son Neferefre (Raneferef). Treated collectively - with reference to the economic archives of Wadi el-Jarf presented by Pierre Tallet in the same conference and the Testament of Nyka'ankh, an early fifth dynasty biography - these sources suggest several key features of royal economic activity.
The reign of Neferirkare can be seen as a period in which agricultural surveying was increased in the Delta, witnessed by the creation of a new scribal class: the "scribe of the fields [of the X nome of Lower Egypt]." Likewise, the expansive donations given to deities (and their disparate shrines) recorded in the Palermo Stone tend to have a Lower Egyptian provenance, suggesting growing interest in the cultivation of this "frontier zone" (Moreno Garcia, 2013).
The presentation demonstrated that Neferirkare's reign may have witnessed a revival in the active foundation of economic communities by the king; this practise is recorded since the pre-Dynastic era (recorded in the Scorpion Macehead, and the tags of King Den). However, records for such activity are generally slim in the Fourth Dynasty after Sneferu. I suggest that the early Fifth Dynasty rulers intensified cultivation in key regions of the Nile Valley and Delta, and lessened direct oversight over certain institutions e.g. temple(s) at Abydos. Simultaneously, they preserved a strict degree of control over the Abusir cult centres, likely as a means of preserving their funerary cults and ensuring their apotheosis.
The reign of Neferirkare can be seen as a period in which agricultural surveying was increased in the Delta, witnessed by the creation of a new scribal class: the "scribe of the fields [of the X nome of Lower Egypt]." Likewise, the expansive donations given to deities (and their disparate shrines) recorded in the Palermo Stone tend to have a Lower Egyptian provenance, suggesting growing interest in the cultivation of this "frontier zone" (Moreno Garcia, 2013).
The presentation demonstrated that Neferirkare's reign may have witnessed a revival in the active foundation of economic communities by the king; this practise is recorded since the pre-Dynastic era (recorded in the Scorpion Macehead, and the tags of King Den). However, records for such activity are generally slim in the Fourth Dynasty after Sneferu. I suggest that the early Fifth Dynasty rulers intensified cultivation in key regions of the Nile Valley and Delta, and lessened direct oversight over certain institutions e.g. temple(s) at Abydos. Simultaneously, they preserved a strict degree of control over the Abusir cult centres, likely as a means of preserving their funerary cults and ensuring their apotheosis.
Research Interests:
The role of Horemheb in ushering in Egypt's Ramesside era has traditionally been side-lined, caught between the more glamorous figures of Akhenaten and Seti I to either side. Examination of this pharaoh in my BA (Hons) Dissertation in... more
The role of Horemheb in ushering in Egypt's Ramesside era has traditionally been side-lined, caught between the more glamorous figures of Akhenaten and Seti I to either side.
Examination of this pharaoh in my BA (Hons) Dissertation in 2011 revealed that Horemheb's judicial "reformations" deserved focussed discussion.
This paper focused on the Great Edict both in its specific clauses and, more generally, as a manifestation in practical terms of the ever-present world-view of Ma'at.
Examination of this pharaoh in my BA (Hons) Dissertation in 2011 revealed that Horemheb's judicial "reformations" deserved focussed discussion.
This paper focused on the Great Edict both in its specific clauses and, more generally, as a manifestation in practical terms of the ever-present world-view of Ma'at.
Research Interests:
The study offers a contribution to the debate concerning the royal (‘state’) economy, and its interactions with the informal economies of the wider society. Resource-management is an issue of particular concern, and the author approaches... more
The study offers a contribution to the debate concerning the royal (‘state’) economy, and its interactions with the informal economies of the wider society. Resource-management is an issue of particular concern, and the author approaches this question in a theoretical case study focused on ‘requisitioning,’ a system wherein the Crown avoided instituting a large scale redistribution economy, in favour of more direct methods.
It is concluded that requisitioning – legitimised appropriation – occurred in Egypt during the Old Kingdom. Its prominence, however, fluctuated wildly. The Crown’s attitude frequently changed and requisitioning could be treated either as a necessary tool of management, or a deleterious practice requiring prohibition.
It is concluded that requisitioning – legitimised appropriation – occurred in Egypt during the Old Kingdom. Its prominence, however, fluctuated wildly. The Crown’s attitude frequently changed and requisitioning could be treated either as a necessary tool of management, or a deleterious practice requiring prohibition.
