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Scandals at Elephantine
The Scandals at Elephantine are recorded crimes committed by the priests in the temple of Khnum in Elephantine during the reign of Ramesses V in the nineteenth dynasty and that of Ramesses IV in the twentieth dynasty. The crimes are reported by Qakhepesh and are against the priest of Khnum, who is called Penanukis (also written and known by the name of Penanuqet). These crimes are particularly scandalous in the fact that it involves a priest in the smuggling of goods from the temple, and bartering them. Not only was Penanukis known for this, but also for other things as well. His behavior and actions also added to the controversy.

We see in Vernus’ Affairs and Scandals in Ancient Egypt, the significance in these actions taken by the priest and a similarity with the man known for scandals as well, Paneb. Penanukis committed not just any form of infidelity with a woman, but had used a method of dealing with the pregnancy which came as the consequence of committing this infidelity. Not only did he abort the unborn being inside the womb of the pregnant woman, but also set fire to his servant’s house. After the servant confronted him, he blinded both her and her daughter. Through these two actions, he was excluding himself from the responsibility that came from his acts of adultery and showed that he was willing to go by any extreme means in continuing his wants, so that they would never cease. The scandalous behavior of Penanukis was not only in adultery, but also in the power he believed to have held. He acted above the pharaoh, by making decisions without his permission or without informing him before committing his actions. His violent actions against those he believed so rightly deserved were done, keeping the pharaoh in the dark about it. His violence towards them may have not been scandalous, but it was in the fact that he did so without notifying him. For doing this, is to act as if one is above the pharaoh. Penanukis also disrespected the practice of entering a temple without preparing himself, for he could not go inside, being impure. He was also known to have manipulated the use of the oracle. These acts show his title as a priest being abused to a high intensity.

The smuggling of goods was another crime resulting from his beliefs, adding to his scandalous behavior. Since he worked for the deity of the temple, he took the goods as one could say would be a reward for himself. The stealing the amulet with the eye of Horus and the sacrilegious cows and other goods, such as grain, were reported. Cows were sold and traded along with other possessions from the temple. The actions Panenukis took place were part of dishonor and in great comparison to that of Paneb.