Strangers in Our Midst: Xenophobia and Integration

Abstract

To the uninitiated, ancient Egyptian representations of foreigners seem to indicate a paradox. The Egyptian public record of religious texts, temple and tomb inscriptions, border stelae and images portrays foreigners unfavorably, and does so in standardized scenes. These scenes usually show foreigners being humiliated, subjugated, slain, or meekly paying homage and tribute to the king.