Ensamhet och isolering i forntida Egypten

Loneliness is a rarely studied emotion in ancient societies, particularly in ancient Egypt. This study investigates the ancient Egyptian conceptions of loneliness and related notions during the Pharaonic period, from the Old Kingdom to the Third Intermediate Period. To do this, Monique Scheer's theoretical framework of 'emotional practice' is used to identify how loneliness was expressed in textual sources. Both fictional texts and personal correspondence were analysed to identify loneliness and its specific circumstances, allowing for the development of recurring themes that reveal how ancient Egyptians conceptualised loneliness. In general, emotional isolation, homesickness, and separation from loved ones caused distress. A strong social character was visible in most themes, where rejection, indifference, and abandonment were primarily caused by others failing to uphold social obligations.