[5] The reign of Ramesses III was characterized by external conflict and internal decline, which seem to have weakened the position of the pharaoh, surrounded by servants and officials of foreign descent.

Symptomatic for the state of the country was the apparent incapability of the bureaucracy to supply the workers at Deir el-Medina which brought about the first recorded strike in history in the 29th year of Ramesses' reign.

This group were responsible for attempting to raise a rebellion against the king, with Pebekkamen disseminating the call to action: ...he had begun to bring out their word to their mothers and their brothers who were there, saying: 'Stir up the people!

The papyrus is not a detailed record of court proceedings, but rather a list of the defendants, who were often referred to by a pseudonym such as Mesedsure, meaning "Re hates him",[11] the crimes they were accused of and their sentences.

The court consisted of twelve judges: Montemtowe and Pefrowe, overseers of the treasury; Kara and Hori, standard-bearers; Paibese, Kedendenna, Ba'almahar, Peirswene, and Dhutrekhnefer, butlers; Penernute, the king's adjudant; and Mai and Pre'em-hab, clerks.

Pebekkamen, Mastesuria, Panayboni, Panouk, and Pedua were all placed before the officials of the Court of Examination; they found him guilty; they caused his punishment to overtake him.

A further four people, including two of the judges, Paibese and Mai, had their noses and ears cut off, and another was verbally reprimanded, for cavorting with the accused women.

It had been thought that Ramesses III lived long enough to oversee the trial of his attempted assassins as the document opens with him addressing the judges directly.