Ancient Egyptian Practice of Retainer Sacrifices

Welcome to Sneferu, your channel for all things ancient egypt. Today, we are going to explore a dark and terrifying practice that was believed to grant a luxurious life to the Pharaohs even in their afterlifes. " The Ancient Egyptian retainer sacrifice."

But before we delve into this practice, I must warn you that some of the details may not be suitable for all viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are more interested in  learning about the afterlife beliefs of ancient egyptians, you can check out my ancient egyptian mythology playlist. If you have stayed on,  brace yourselves as we uncover the truth behind this chilling ritual.

Imagine a civilization where the pharaohs were seen as living gods, with ultimate power and control over their subjects even in death. This was Ancient Egypt during the First Dynasty from 3100 BC to 2900 BC.

Evidence shows that after these powerful rulers passed away, they would have servants killed to continue serving them in the afterlife. But what exactly happened during these sacrifices? How did it feel to be chosen as a victim?

Some experts believe that retainer sacrifice was used by pharaohs to maintain their social status and reinforce their power even after death. It was believed that by sacrificing retainers, they could enjoy the same luxurious lifestyle in the afterlife as they did on earth.

But what about the perspective of those who were sacrificed? Did they truly believe in an afterlife or were they forced into this horrific fate? Did the fear of a more gruesome death drove them towards accepting this fate? Some sources suggest that these victims willingly agreed to be sacrificed in order to elevate their social status and wealth in the next life.

The demographics of those sacrificed varied – from court officials and harem members to servants and even animals such as dogs buried alongside their masters. The number of sacrificed retainers varied depending on each pharaoh's burial, with some having as few as six and others having over 500. 

This tradition is evident in the tombs of King Aha, his son and successor King Djer, as well as Kings Djet, Den, and Qaa.

King Aha's tomb contained thirty-five retainer sacrifices within the tomb itself and an additional twelve in three surrounding tombs. The exact number of sacrificed retainers varies among sources but it is clear that this practice was present during his reign. Similarly, excavations led by New York University found six graves near a mortuary ritual site belonging to King Aha with five containing skeletons believed to be sacrificed retainers.

King Djer continued this tradition on a larger scale with 318 retainer sacrifices buried within his tomb and 269 more in enclosures surrounding it. Some believe that there may have been even more sacrifices within his funerary complex. The sheer number of over 580 retainers buried alongside him suggests that they were not all natural deaths but rather intentional sacrifices made upon his death.

King Djet also had numerous sacrificed retainers buried around both his tombs at Abydos and Saqqara. It is estimated that about 174 were buried at Abydos while sixty-two were found at his symbolic tomb at Saqqara.

After the death of King Den, approximately 230 individuals were put to death simultaneously. This includes family members, court members, and servants who held various positions within the pharaoh's kingdom.

The decline of retainer sacrifices can be seen in the funerary complex of King Qaa where only thirty are estimated to have been sacrificed after his death. This shift could suggest changes in religious beliefs or cultural practices during this time period.

So how were these unfortunate souls killed? Evidence suggests strangulation or poisoning may have been used - leaving behind pink stained teeth as clues for archeologists today.

But why did this gruesome practice eventually come to an end? However, by the end of the First Dynasty, retainer sacrifices had dwindled and eventually ceased altogether. This could be attributed to a shift in beliefs about serving leaders in the afterlife or possibly due to mythological advancements such as the magical shabti-figures which were believed to be capable of carrying out tasks for deceased individuals in the land of reefs, without requiring human sacrifices. Others suggest that retainers in later dynasties were not convinced of their need to die for their rulers.

Regardless of the reasons, one thing is certain, The Ancient Egyptian retainer sacrifice was a terrifying and chilling practice that reminds us of the power and control held by pharaohs over their subjects. Thank you for tuning into Sneferu, your channel for all things ancient egypt. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more intriguing content.