Edict of Horemheb
| Edict of Horemheb | |
|---|---|
| Type | Legal text |
| Material | Sandstone |
| Writing | Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs |
| Period/culture | Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt New Kingdom of Egypt |
| Discovered | 1882 Karnak Temple Complex, Egypt |
| Discovered by | Gaston Maspero |
| Present location | Karnak Temple Complex |
The Edict of Horemheb also known as the Great Edict of Horemheb is an ancient Egyptian legal document commissioned by pharaoh Horemheb. It is the most prominent document from his reign aside from his coronation inscription. The artifact characterizes itself as a direct dictate from Horemheb himself to his scribes.
The document is intended to address corrupt power abuses and strengthen Horemheb's regime. The text outlines penalties for authority misuse, corruption, harsh armed forces penalties, judicial reform, and personal security measures. It also establishes capital punishment for corrupt law officials.
Notably, Horemheb's Edict introduces the criminal punishment of rhinotomy, cutting off one's nose, to Ancient Egypt, as it was not known there before this. This is the origin of why the ancient location, Tharu, mentioned in Horemheb's Edict as a region of exile, was referred to as Rhinocorura by later Ancient Greek authors. Horemheb is regarded as building the city.