Sob o Signo de Maet. Considerações sobre o Direito no Antigo Egipto. Contexto, Mito e Sentido de um “Momento” Politico-Sacro-Normativo

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha, Universidade do Porto

Abstract

Most jurists have no historical background apart from the respective national history of sources and possibly of institutions, which comprises a very limited perspective, especially in the current times. Even those who had the opportunity to study the legal history of a different culture are normally restricted to the principles of Roman law, and even then, centred mostly on its practical cases (to some extent, they are redundant when compared to those today, in what concerns basic techniques), rather than its most important aspect: the spirit of the law. Therefore, the legal history of Ancient Egypt, in a context of stricto sensu pre-juridical norms, may provide an inspiring contrast which may prove a challenge to the regular objects of legal education. It may also help us to draw a less linear, more subtle perspective of Justice. Maet is thus a symbol of that hidden facet of Law and Justice. Even those who had the chance to study another culture’s law history are normally confined to Roman law, and immersed more in practical cases (in a way redundant with the contemporary ones in basic techniques) than in what really maters: the spirit. The Egyptian juridical history, in the context of pre-juridical “law” of the pré-classic civilisations, may help to find a challenging and inspiring contrast with the objects under the concerns of normal juridical education. And help us to conceive Justice in a more subtle way. Maet is a symbol of that hidden face.