Nauri Decree of Seti I

Nauri Decree of Seti I was a document published by Seti I (1306-1290  B.C.E.)  in  the  fourth  year  of  his  rule,  this decree  was  proclaimed  on  behalf  of  the  doers  at the holy cit of Osiris (Abydos City), where  the  king  was  in  the process of making his great mortuary complex. The Nauri Decree incorporated prior legal codes, particularly the laws of Horemhab (1319-1307 B.C.E.), serving as a charter for the temple and for its several estates, and it was  fashioned  to  ensure  the  sustenance  of  the  kings mortuary cult after his death. The workers were discipline to  a  stern  code  of  behavior  while  they  developed  the  tomb, with penalties for crimes clearly described.

The decree points to a suffering time during Seti I's rule that reflected earlier dynastic weaknesses. usually, workers on the mortuary complexes of the swayer would not have required warnings or threats in order to regulate their  behavior.  Building  sites  of  early  periods  were deemed  places  of  spiritism  and  dedication.  In  this period,  however,  conformity  to  the  ideals  of  the  nation had partly lessened and the touch of the mortuary rituals  had  declined.  Severe  physical  punishments  were included in this code. Certain crimes brought the penalty of  100  blows  by  a  strap,  the  creation  of  five  open wounds, the removal of a criminals nose, or exile to the libyan desert or beyond.

Read more about The Nauri Decree of Seti I at:

- Edgerton (W. F.), "The Nauri Decree of Seti I: A Translation and Analysis of the Legal Portion", Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Vol. 6, No. 4 (Oct., 1947), pp. 219-230.

- Griffith (F. Ll.), "The Abydos Decree of Seti I at Nauri", The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 13, No. 3/4 (Nov., 1927), pp. 193-208.

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