Abstract
The social context of the Adoption Papyrus is discussed. It is argued that the motivation behind the text was to ensure the material security and social position of a childless woman, first through a ‘non-divorce’ settlement, and then through control of succession to the role of head of the family. This is related to issues of family solidarity, marriage strategies, and the administration of property rights. These are discussed in the context of norms of social behaviour in the Near East, and in particular through comparison with Aramaic documents from Elephantine and with more modern village life in Egypt.
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