Analysis of a Form of Poverty in Ancient Egypt: A Lexicographical and Sociological Study of šwȝw
- Autores: Delphine Driaux
- Localización: Ägypten und Levante: Internationale Zeitschrift für ägyptische archäologie und deren nachbargebeite, ISSN 1015-5104, Nº. 34, 2024, págs. 149-176
- Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
This article presents a comprehensive examination of the term šwȝw, traditionally translated as “poor man” within ancient Egyptian texts Combining both linguistic and sociological approaches, it traces the usage of šwȝw and its related verb forms from the Old Kingdom to the Graeco-Roman period. The study aims to determine whether šwȝw and similar terms reflect distinct nuances of poverty and social status. The research indicates that šwȝw signifies more than just economic deprivation; it denotes a sudden shift in social standing caused by external circumstances, setting it apart from other terms that convey different aspects of inferiority and dependency. Furthermore, the article explores societal responses to šwȝw, which reveal broader cultural attitudes, including both the provision of assistance and the marginalisation of this group. It concludes that a nuanced understanding of šwȝw and its variations offers valuable insights into the social hierarchy and conceptualisations of poverty in ancient Egypt, demonstrating it to be a complex and multi-dimensional issue.
