Author: Charlie Trimm, Division of Biblical and Theological Studies, Biola University - Personal Website, Academia.edu

Abstract: »Rape is a horrific aspect of warfare throughout history and was surely a part of warfare in the ancient Near East. However, even though violent humiliation of enemies after battles is commonly recorded in ancient texts and images, wartime rape is rarely mentioned. It appears that even the brutal Assyrians and Egyptians did not boast of wartime rape and were perhaps somewhat ashamed of it. This chapter begins by briefly looking at the role of humiliation in martial contexts in Egypt, early Mesopotamia, the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and Israel. It then examines the few possible references to wartime rape in Egypt and early Mesopotamia, though it appears that none of these texts actually refer to the practice. The Neo-Assyrian Empire provides a greater number of possible references across a variety of genres, but closer examination shows that only a small handful of these texts and reliefs actually depict wartime rape. This chapter concludes by looking at the Old Testament, which is more open about portraying the horror of wartime rape as practiced by foreign nations against the Israelites and other nations.« (Source: Brill)

Reviews: -

Wikipedia: Ancient history: Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Ancient Israel and Judah | Sex and the law: Rape / Wartime sexual violence | War: Ancient warfare