Saints or sinners? Scandals among the servants of the gods

There is certain amount of evidence of how the priesthood in ancient Egypt were organised, their function and qualifications or prerequisites necessary for admission to this office. However, did they lead saintly lives or did they abuse their position? Some amassed great fortunes while others were virtuous and displayed personal piety. Texts reveal a number of scandals including drunken behaviour, acceptance of bribes, stealing temple property and manipulation of oracular decisions. A lector was among the accused in the Harem Conspiracy and Penanukis, a wab priest in the temple of Khnum at Elephantine, was indicted for a series of crimes including theft, adultery and disrespect for sacred places. It would seem that prayer and religious speculation were not the sole occupations of the servants of the God.