The ‘Other’ Administration: Patronage, Factions, and Informal Networks of Power in Ancient Egypt

Abstract

Powerful patrons, well-placed contacts, or membership in influential social networks in the Middle Kingdom were informal, but nevertheless essential means for furthering one's career or, simply, for gaining some protection against difficulties. An analysis of the Egyptian administration would remain incomplete without considering the impact of the informal mechanisms, which constituted the 'other' administration. The administration of the country necessarily relied on the collaboration of the elites, a support itself subject to changes over time due to the different modalities of integration of the provincial potentates, and many other factors. The description of the informal resources employed for mobilizing authority not necessarily alongside with formal or 'legal' ones allows a glimpse of the importance of patronage, social influence, well-placed contacts and corruption in everyday affairs. Keywords:Egypt; faction; informal network; other administration; patronage; power

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