Ancient Egyptian Self Identity

Ancient Egyptian Self-Identity

by Katie Jackson
Kenyon College, 2003
© Katie Jackson 2004, All Rights Reserved

 
 
Table of Contents:

I.        Abstract   
II.       Introduction
III.      Physical Appearance: Ancient Versus Modern
IV.     Written Evidence
V.      Artistic Evidence
VI.     Egyptians’ Comparison With Others
VII.    Uses of Foreigners
VIII.    Us versus Them
IX.     Egyptians Outside of Egypt
X.      Foreigners Becoming Egyptian
XI.     Conclusion
XII.     Bibliography
XIII.    Endnotes

I. Abstract

    In this article, I discuss how the ancient Egyptians determined their own racial or ethnic identity.  While the common practice in many areas of the world today is to define race as an immutable part of each person, ancient Egyptians conceived of their identity in terms more ethnic than racial; that is, it was possible for an individual’s identity to change between birth and death.  Drawing from sources such as artwork, and primary texts and records, I demonstrate that “racial” identity in Egypt was fluid and could and did change depending upon the circumstances; it was closer to the modern concept of ethnicity than of race.[1]

II. Introduction

Race and ethnicity are topics of great weight in the modern world, with multiple studies covering the various aspects of identity associated with them.  Race is often seen as static and unchangeable, as determined by one’s physical features and family background, while ethnicity is a more fluid entity, one that is similar to race but that can be