Editing Maat (section)

==Principle==
{{Ancient Egyptian religion}}

Maat represents the ethical and moral principle that all Egyptian citizens were expected to follow throughout their daily lives. They were expected to act with [[Honour|honor]] and [[truth]] in matters that involve [[family]], the [[community]], the [[nation]], the [[Natural environment|environment]], and the [[Deity|gods]].{{sfnp|Martin|2008|p=951}}

[[File:Narmer Palette.jpg|thumb|Narmer Palette: representation of victory over chaos]]

Maat as a principle was formed to meet the complex needs of the emergent Egyptian state that embraced diverse peoples with conflicting interests.{{sfnp|Cohn|1993|p=[https://archive.org/details/cosmoschaosworld00cohn/page/9 9]}} The development of such rules sought to avert [[Civil disorder|chaos]] and it became the basis of [[Egyptian judicial system|Egyptian law]]. From an early period the king would describe himself as the "Lord of Maat" who decreed with his mouth the Maat he conceived in his heart.

The significance of Maat developed to the point that it embraced all aspects of existence, including the basic equilibrium of the universe, the relationship between constituent parts, the [[Season|cycle of the seasons]], [[heaven|heavenly movements]], [[Religious Observance|religious observations]] and [[Fair dealing|good faith]], [[honesty]], and truthfulness in [[social interaction]]s.{{sfnp|Cohn|1993|p=[https://archive.org/details/cosmoschaosworld00cohn/page/9 9]}}

The ancient Egyptians had a deep conviction of an underlying holiness and unity within the universe. Cosmic harmony was achieved by correct public and ritual life. Any disturbance in cosmic harmony could have consequences for the individual as well as the state. An impious king could bring about famine, and blasphemy could bring blindness to an individual.{{sfnp|Romer|1988|pp=41–42}} In opposition to the right order expressed in the concept of Maat is the concept of [[Isfet (Egyptian mythology)|Isfet]]: chaos, lies and violence.{{sfnp|Assmann|2006|p=34}}

In addition, several other principles within ancient Egyptian law were essential, including an adherence to tradition as opposed to change, the importance of [[Rhetoric|rhetorical skill]] and the significance of achieving [[impartiality]] and "righteous action". In one [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]] (2062 to c. 1664 BCE) text, the creator declares "I made every man like his fellow". Maat called the rich to help the less fortunate rather than exploit them, echoed in tomb declarations: "I have given bread to the hungry and clothed the naked" and "I was a husband to the widow and father to the orphan".{{sfnp|Allen|2014|p=116}}

To the Egyptian mind, Maat bound all things together in an indestructible unity: the universe, the natural world, the state, and the individual were all seen as parts of the wider order generated by Maat.

A passage in the Instruction of [[Ptahhotep]] presents Maat as follows:

{{poemquote|
Maat is good and its worth is lasting.
It has not been disturbed since the day of its creator, 
whereas he who transgresses its ordinances is punished.
It lies as a path in front even of him who knows nothing.
Wrongdoing has never yet brought its venture to port.
It is true that evil may gain wealth but the strength of truth is that it lasts;
a man can say: "It was the property of my father."{{sfnp|Frankfort|2000|p=62}}
}}

===Law===
[[File:Maat-E 4436-IMG 7942-white.jpg|thumb|Statue of Maat, adorned with the ostrich feather of truth]]
There is little surviving literature that describes the practice of ancient Egyptian law. Maat was the spirit in which justice was applied rather than the detailed legalistic exposition of rules. Maat represented the normal and basic values that formed the backdrop for the application of justice that had to be carried out in the spirit of truth and fairness. From the [[Fifth Dynasty of Egypt|Fifth Dynasty]] (c. 2510–2370 BCE) onwards, the [[vizier]] responsible for justice was called the ''Priest of Maat'' and in later periods judges wore images of Maat.{{sfnp|Morenz|1973|pp=117–125}}

Later scholars and philosophers also would embody concepts from the [[Sebayt]], a native [[wisdom literature]]. These spiritual texts dealt with common social or professional situations, and how each was best to be resolved or addressed in the spirit of Maat. It was very practical advice, and highly case-based, so few specific and general rules could be derived from them.{{sfnp|Murphy|1969}}

During the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom|Greek period in Egyptian history]], Greek law existed alongside Egyptian law. The Egyptian law preserved the rights of women, who were allowed to act independently of men and own substantial personal property, and in time, this influenced the more restrictive conventions of the Greeks and Romans.{{sfnp|Powell|1995|p=303}} When the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] took control of Egypt, the Roman legal system, which existed throughout the [[Roman Empire]], was imposed in Egypt.