egyptian myths and tales - princeton universityassets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/s9293.pdf ·...

ICopyrighted Material

chapter

EgyptianMythsandTalesTranslatorJohnAWilson

TheMemphiteTheologyofCreationWhentheFirstDynastyestablisheditscapitalatMemphisitwasnecessaryto justify the sudden emergence of this town to central importance TheMemphitegodPtahwasthereforeproclaimedtohavebeentheFirstPrincishypletakingprecedenceoverotherrecognizedcreatorshygodsMythologicalarshygumentswerepresentedthatthecityofMemphiswastheldquoplacewheretheTwo Lands are unitedrdquo and that the Temple of Ptah was the ldquobalance inwhichUpperandLowerEgypthavebeenweighedrdquo

Theextractspresentedhereareparticularlyinterestingbecausecreationistreatedinanintellectualsensewhereasothercreationstories(likeANETpp3ndash4)aregiveninpurelyphysicaltermsHerethegodPtahconceivestheelementsoftheuniversewithhismind(ldquoheartrdquo)andbringsthemintobeingbyhiscommandingspeech(ldquotonguerdquo)ThusatthebeginningofEgyptianhistorytherewasanapproachtotheLogosDoctrine

Theextantformofthisdocumentdatesonlyto700bcbutlinguisticphilologicalandgeopoliticalevidenceisconclusiveinsupportofitsderivashytionfromanoriginaltextmorethantwothousandyearsolder

(53)Therecameintobeingastheheartandtherecameintobeingasthetongue(something)intheformofAtumThemightyGreatOneisPtahwhotransmitted[lifetoallgods]aswellas(to)theirkarsquosthroughthisheartbywhichHorusbecamePtahandthroughthistonguebywhichThothbecamePtah1

1PtahthoughtofandcreatedbyspeechthecreatorshygodAtum(ldquoTotalityrdquo)thustransmittingthedivinepowerofPtahtoallothergodsThegodsHorusandThothacommonlyassociatedpairareequatedwiththeorgansofthoughtandspeech

ANETANET4ndash54ndash5

Copyrighted Material

2 bull EgyptianMythsandTales

FigFig158158

GeGen22n22

(Thus)ithappenedthattheheartandtonguegainedcontrolover[every](other)memberofthebodybyteachingthathe2 isineverybodyandineverymouthofallgodsallmen[all]cattleallcreepingthingsand(everything)thatlivesbythinkingandcommandingevshyerythingthathewishes

(55)HisEnneadisbeforehimin(theformof)teethandlipsThatis (theequivalentof) thesemenandhandsofAtumWhereas theEnneadofAtumcameintobeingbyhissemenandhisfingerstheEnnead(ofPtah)howeveristheteethandlipsinthismouthwhichpronounced the name of everything from which Shu and TefnutcameforthandwhichwasthefashioneroftheEnnead

ThesightoftheeyesthehearingoftheearsandthesmellingtheairbythenosetheyreporttotheheartItisthiswhichcauseseverycompleted(concept)tocomeforthanditisthetonguewhichanshynounceswhattheheartthinks

Thusall thegodswere formedandhisEnneadwascompletedIndeedallthedivineorderreallycameintobeingthroughwhattheheartthoughtandthetonguecommandedThusthekashyspiritsweremadeandthehemsutshyspiritswereappointedtheywhomakeallproshyvisionsandallnourishmentbythisspeech(Thusjusticewasgivento)himwhodoeswhatisliked(andinjusticeto)himwhodoeswhatisdislikedThuslifewasgiventohimwhohaspeaceanddeathwasgiventohimwhohassinThusweremadeallworkandallcraftstheaction of the arms the movement of the legs and the activity ofevery member in conformance with (this) command which theheart thought which came forth through the tongue and whichgivesvaluetoeverything

(Thus)ithappenedthatitwassaidofPtahldquoHewhomadeallandbroughtthegods intobeingrdquoHeis indeedTashytenenwhobroughtforth the gods for everything came forth from him nourishmentandprovisionstheofferingsofthegodsandeverygoodthingThusitwasdiscoveredandunderstood thathis strength isgreater than(thatoftheother)godsAndsoPtahwassatisfied3afterhehadmadeeverythingaswellasallthedivineorderHehadformedthegodshehadmadecitieshehadfoundednomeshehadputthegodsintheirshrines(60)hehadestablishedtheirofferingshehadfoundedtheirshrineshehadmadetheirbodieslikethat(withwhich)theirheartsweresatisfiedSothegodsenteredintotheirbodiesofevery(kindof)woodofevery(kindof)stoneofevery(kindof)clayoranyshythingwhichmightgrowuponhim4 inwhichtheyhadtakenform

2Ptahasheartandtongue3OrldquosoPtahrestedrdquo4UponPtahinhisformoftheldquorisinglandrdquoNotethatdivineimageswerenotthe

godsthemselvesbutonlyplaces


DeliveranceofMankindfromDestruction bull 3

SoallthegodsaswellastheirkarsquosgatheredthemselvestohimconshytentandassociatedwiththeLordoftheTwoLands

DeliveranceofMankindfromDestructionThethemesofthismytharethesinofmankindthedestructivedisappointshyment of their creator and the deliverance of mankind from annihilationHoweverthesettingofthepresenttextshowsthatitspurposewasmagicalprotectionratherthanmoralteachingOnthewallsofthreeroyaltombsoftheEmpireitaccompaniescertaincharmstoprotectthebodyofthedeadrulerThisimpliesthattheformerdeliveranceofmankindfromdestructionwillbevalidalsointhisindividualcase

Ithappened that Re thegodwhocame intobeingbyhimselfwhenhewaskingofmenandgodsalltogetherThenmankindplotshytedsomethinginthe(very)presenceofReNowthenhismajestymdashlifeprosperityhealthmdashwasoldHisboneswereofsilverhisfleshofgoldandhishairofgenuinelapislazuli

ThenhismajestyperceivedthethingswhichwerebeingplottedagainsthimbymankindThenhismajestymdashlifeprosperityhealthmdashsaidtothosewhowereinhisretinueldquoPraysummontomemyEye5

ShuTefnutGebandNutaswellas the fathersandmotherswhowerewithmewhenIwasinNun6aswellasmygodNunalsoHeistobringhiscourt(5)withhimThoushaltbringthemsecretlyletnotmankindseeletnottheirheartsescape7ThoushaltcomewiththemtotheGreatHousethattheymaytell theirplanssincethe[times]whenIcamefromNuntotheplaceinwhichIcameintobeingrdquo

Thenthesegodswerebroughtinandthesegods[came]besidehimputtingtheirheadstothegroundinthepresenceofhismajestysothathemightmakehisstatementinthepresenceofthefatheroftheeldesthewhomademankindthekingofpeopleThentheysaidinthepresenceofhismajestyldquoSpeaktoussothatwemayhearitrdquo

ThenResaidtoNunldquoOeldestgodinwhomIcameintobeingOancestorgodsbeholdmankindwhichcameintobeingfrommyEye8mdashtheyhaveplottedthingsagainstmeTellmewhatyewoulddoabout it Behold I am seeking I would not slay them until I hadheardwhat(10)yemightsayaboutitrdquoThenthemajestyofNunsaidldquoMy sonRe thegodgreaterthanhewhomadehimandmightierthantheywhocreatedhimsittinguponthythronethefearofthee

5Theeyeofthesunshygodwasanigravendependentpartofhimselfwithacomplicatedmythologicalhistory

6Theabysmalwatersinwhichcreationtookplace7WasReunwillingthatmankindrepentitsrebelliouspurposes8Mankindoriginatedasthetearsofthecreatorshygod


GeGen65ndash7n65ndash7

FigFig158158



isgreatwhenthyEyeis(directed)againstthemwhoschemeagainsttheerdquoThenthemajestyofResaidldquoBeholdtheyhavefledintothedeserttheirheartsbeingafraidbecauseImightspeaktothemrdquoThentheysaidinthepresenceofhismajestyldquoMaythyEyebesentthatitmaycatchfortheethemwhoschemewithevilthings(But)theEyeis not (sufficiently) prominent therein to smite them for thee It

FigFig162162 shouldgodownasHatshyHorrdquoSothenthisgoddesscameandslewmankindinthedesertThen

themajestyofthisgodsaidldquoWelcomeHatshyHorwhohastdoneformethedeedforwhichIcamerdquoThenthisgoddesssaidldquoAsthoulivestformeIhaveprevailedovermankindanditispleasantinmyheartrdquoThenthemajestyofResaidldquoIshallprevailoverthemasaking(15)bydiminishingthemrdquo9ThatishowSekhmetcameintobeingthe(beer)shymashofthenighttowadeintheirbloodfromHerakleopolis10

ThenResaidldquoPraysummontomeswiftandspeedymessengerssothattheymayrunliketheshadowofabodyrdquoThenthesemessenshygerswerebrought immediatelyThenthemajestyof thisgodsaidldquoGo ye to Elephantine and bring me red ochre very abundantlyrdquoThenthis redochrewasbrought tohimThenthemajestyof thisgreatgodcaused [andHeshyWith]shytheshySideshyLockwhoisinHeshyliopolis11 ground up this red ochre When further maidservantscrushedbarleyto(make)beerthenthisredochrewasaddedtothismashThen(it)waslikehumanbloodThenseventhousandjarsofthebeerweremadeSothenthemajestyoftheKingofUpperandLowerEgyptRecametogetherwiththesegodstoseethisbeer

Nowwhendaybrokefor(20)theslayingofmankindbythegodshydessattheirseasonofgoingupstreamthenthemajestyofResaidldquoHowgooditisIshallprotectmankindwithitrdquoThenResaidldquoPraycarryittotheplaceinwhichsheexpectedtoslaymankindrdquoThenthemajestyoftheKingofUpperandLowerEgyptRewenttoworkearlyinthedepthofthenighttohavethissleepshymakerpouredoutThenthefieldswerefilledwithliquidforthreepalmsthroughthepowerofthemajestyofthisgod

Then this goddess went at dawn and she found this (place)floodedThenherface(looked)beautifulthereinThenshedrankanditwasgoodinherheartShecame(back)drunkenwithouthavshyingperceivedmankind

(TheremainderofthisstoryhastodowiththeoriginofcertainnamesandcustomssuchastheuseofstrongdrinkattheFeastofHatshyHor)

9ItsoonbecomesclearthatRewishesthedestructiontoceasewhereasHatshyHorisunwillingtohaltherlustfulannihilation

10Theformulabywhichtheoriginofanamewasexplained11AnepithetoftheHighPriestofRe


TheStoryofSishynuhe bull 5

TheStoryofSishynuheAstrongloveofcountrywasadominantcharacteristicoftheancientEgypshytianThoughhemightfeeltheresponsibilitiesofempireshybuildinghewishedtheassurancethathewouldclosehisdaysonthebanksof theNileThatsentiment made the following story one of the most popular classics ofEgyptianliteratureAnEgyptianofficialoftheMiddleKingdomwentintovoluntaryexileinAsiaHewasprosperousandwellestablishedtherebuthecontinuedtolongforthelandofhisbirthFinallyhereceivedaroyalinvitashytiontoreturnandjointhecourtThiswashisrealsuccessinlifeandthiswasthepopularpointofthestoryMuchofthetaleispompousandovershystyled inwordingandphrasingbut thecentralnarrative isacredibleacshycountwhichfitstheperiodasweknowitIfthiswasfictionitwasbasedonrealitiesanddeservesarespectedplaceinEgyptianliterature

ThestoryopenswiththedeathofAmenshyemshyhetI(about1960bc)andcontinuesinthereignofhissuccessorSenshyUsertI(about1971ndash1928bc)Manuscripts are plentiful and run from the late Twelfth Dynasty (about1800bc)totheTwentyshyfirstDynasty(about1000bc)TherearefivepapyriandatleastseventeenostracaThemostimportantpapyriareinBerlin

(R1) The Hereditary Prince and Count Judge and DistrictOverseerofthedomainsoftheSovereigninthelandsoftheAsiaticsrealacquaintanceofthekinghisbelovedtheAttendantSishynuheHesays

Iwasanattendantwhofollowedhislordaservantoftheroyalharem(andof)theHereditaryPrincessthegreatoffavorthewifeofKingSenshyUsertin(thepyramidtown)KhenemshysutthedaughterofKing Amenshyemshyhet (R5) in (the pyramid town) Qashynefru Nefrutheladyofreverence

Year30thirdmonthofthefirstseasonday712Thegodascended to his horizon the King of Upper and Lower EgyptSehetepshyibshyRewastakenuptoheavenandunitedwiththesundiscThebodyofthegodmergedwithhimwhomadehim13TheResishydence City was in silence hearts were in mourning the GreatDoubleDoorsweresealedshut (R10)Thecourtiers(sat)headonlapandthepeoplewereingrief

Now his majesty had sent an army to the land of the TemehshyLibyanswithhiseldestsonasthecommanderthereofthegoodgodSenshyUsert(R15)andevennowhewasreturningandhadcarriedofflivingcaptivesoftheTehenushyLibyansandall(kindsof)cattlewithshyoutnumber

12Around1960AmenshyemshyhetIrsquosdeathwouldhavefallenearlyinMarch13ThepharaohwastheldquoSonofRerdquothesunshygodAtdeathhewastakenbackinto

thebodyofhiscreatorandfather


FigFig105105



ThecourtiersofthepalacesenttothewesternbordertolettheKingrsquosSonknowtheeventswhichhadtakenplaceatthecourtThemessengers met him on the road (R20) and they reached him intheeveningtimeHedidnotdelayamomentthefalcon14flewawaywithhisattendantswithoutlettinghisarmyknowitNowtheroyalchildrenwhohadbeenfollowinghiminthisarmyhadbeensentfor(B1)andoneofthemwassummonedWhileIwasstanding(nearby)IheardhisvoiceashewasspeakingandIwasalittlewayoffMyheartwasdistraughtmyarmsspreadout(indismay)tremblingfelluponallmylimbs15 IremovedmyselfbyleapsandboundstoseekahidingplaceformyselfIplaced(5)myselfbetweentwobushesinordertocut(myself)offfromtheroadanditstravel

Isetoutsouthward(but)IdidnotplantoreachthisResidenceCity(for)IthoughtthattherewouldbecivildisorderandIdidnotexpecttoliveafterhimIcrossedLakeMalsquoatynearSycamoreandIcametoSnefruIslandIspentthedaythereontheedgeof(10)thefieldsIcameintotheopenlightwhileitwas(still)dayandImetaman standing near by He stood in awe of me for he was afraidWhenthetimeoftheeveningmealcameIdrewneartoOxshytownIcrossedoverinabargewithoutarudderbyaidofthewestwindIpassed by the east of the quarry (15) above MistressshyofshytheshyRedshyMountain16 I gave (free) road to my feet going northward and IcameuptotheWallshyofshytheshyRulermadetoopposetheAsiaticsandtocrushtheSandshyCrossersItookacrouchingpositioninabushforfear lest thewatchmenupon thewallwheretheirdayrsquos(duty)wasmightseeme

I set out (20) at evening time and when day broke I reachedPetenIhaltedattheIslandofKemshywerAnattackofthirstovertookmeIwasparchedandmythroatwasdustyIsaidldquoThisisthetasteofdeathrdquo(Butthen)IliftedupmyheartandcollectedmyselfforIhadheardthesoundofthelowingofcattle(25)andIspiedAsiaticsThe sheikh among them who had been in Egypt recognized meThenhegavemewaterwhileheboiledmilkformeIwentwithhimtohistribeWhattheydid(forme)wasgood

OneforeigncountrygavemetoanotherIsetoffforByblosandapproachedQedemandspent(30)ayearandahalfthereAmmishyenshimdashhewasarulerofUpperRetenumdashtookmeandsaid tome

14ThenewkingSenshyUsertI15We areneverdirectlytoldthereasonforSishynuhersquossuddenfrightandvoluntary

exile Later both he and the king protest his innocence He may have been legallyguiltlessbutthetransitionbetweenkingswasadangeroustimeforonewhowasnotfullyidentifiedwiththenewkingAssumethatSishynuhehadadequatereasonforhissuddenandfurtivedepartureandhislongstayinAsia

16GebelelshyAhmareastofCairo



ldquoThouwiltdowellwithmeandthouwilthearthespeechofEgyptrdquoHesaidthisforheknewmycharacterhehadheardofmywisdomandthepeopleofEgyptwhoweretherewithhim17 hadbornewitshynessforme

HesetmeattheheadofhischildrenHemarriedmetohiseldestdaughter He let me choose for myself of his country (80) of thechoicest of that which was with him on his frontier with anothercountryItwasagoodlandnamedYaaFigswereinitandgrapesIthadmorewinethanwaterPlentifulwasitshoneyabundantitsolshyives Every (kind of) fruit was on its trees Barley was there andemmerTherewasno limit toany(kindof)cattle (85)MoreovergreatwasthatwhichaccruedtomeasaresultoftheloveofmeHemademerulerofatribeofthechoicestofhiscountryBreadwasmadeformeasdailyfarewineasdailyprovisioncookedmeatandroastfowlbesidethewildbeastsofthedesertfortheyhunted(90)formeand laidbeforemebeside thecatchofmy (own)houndsManyweremadeformeandmilkinevery(kindof)cooking

Ispentmanyyearsandmychildrengrewuptobestrongmeneachmanas therestrainerofhis(own)tribeThemessengerwhowentnorthorwhowentsouthtotheResidenceCity(95)stoppedoverwithme(for)IusedtomakeeverybodystopoverIgavewatertothethirstyIputhimwhohadstrayed(back)ontheroadIresshycuedhimwhohadbeenrobbedWhentheAsiaticsbecamesoboldastoopposetherulersofforeigncountriesIcounseledtheirmoveshyments This ruler of (100) (Re)tenu had me spend many years ascommanderofhisarmyEveryforeigncountryagainstwhichIwentforthwhenIhadmademyattackonitwasdrivenawayfromitspasturageanditswellsIplundereditscattlecarriedoffitsinhabishytantstookawaytheirfoodandslewpeopleinit(105)bymystrongarmbymybowbymymovementsandbymysuccessfulplansIfoundfavorinhishearthelovedmeherecognizedmyvalorandheplacedmeat theheadofhischildrenwhenhesawhowmyarmsflourished

AmightymanofRetenucamethathemightchallengeme(110)inmy(own)campHewasaherowithouthispeerandhehadreshypelledallofit18HesaidthathewouldfightmeheintendedtodeshyspoilmeandheplannedtoplundermycattleontheadviceofhistribeThatprincediscussed(it)withmeandIsaidldquoIdonotknowhimCertainlyIamnoconfederateofhis(115)sothatImightmovefreelyinhisencampmentIsitthecasethatIhave(ever)openedhisdoor or overthrown his fences (Rather) it is hostility because heseesmecarryingoutthycommissionsIamreallylikeastraybull

17OtherexileslikeSishynuheHeisinalandofrefugefromEgypt18HehadbeateneveryoneofthelandofRetenu

NNum132327um132327



in the midst of another herd and a bull of (these) cattle attackshimrdquo19

DuringthenightIstrungmybowandshotmyarrows20 IgavefreeplaytomydaggerandpolishedmyweaponsWhendaybroke(Re)tenuwascome(130)Ithadwhippedupitstribesandcollectedthecountriesofa(good)halfofitIthadthought(only)ofthisfightThenhecametomeasIwaswaiting(for)IhadplacedmyselfnearhimEveryheartburnedformewomenandmengroanedEveryheartwassickformeTheysaidldquoIsthereanotherstrongmanwhocouldfightagainsthimrdquoThen(he took)his shieldhisbattleshyaxe(135)andhisarmfulofjavelinsNowafterIhadlethisweaponsissueforthImadehisarrowspassbymeuselesslyoneclosetoanotherHechargedmeandIshothimmyarrowstickinginhisneckHecriedoutandfellonhisnose(140)Ifelledhimwithhis(own)batshytleshyaxeandraisedmycryofvictoryoverhisbackwhileeveryAsiatic

ISaISam1751m1751 roaredIgavepraisetoMontu21whilehisadherentsweremourningforhimThisrulerAmmishyenshitookmeintohisembraceThenIcarriedoffhisgoodsandplunderedhiscattleWhathehadplannedto do (145) to me I did to him I took what was in his tent andstrippedhisencampmentIbecamegreattherebyIbecameextenshysiveinmywealthIbecameabundantinmycattle

Thus did god to show mercy to him upon whom he had laidblamewhomhehadledastraytoanothercountry(But)todayhisheartisassuaged22

Nowwhenthemajestyof theKingofUpperandLowerEgyptKhepershykashyRethejustified23 wastoldaboutthissituationinwhichIwasthenhismajestykeptsending(175)tomewithpresentationsfromtheroyalpresencethathemightgladdentheheartofthissershyvantliketherulerofanyforeigncountryTheroyalchildreninhispalaceletmeheartheircommissions24

ThentheycameforthisservantIwaspermittedtospendadayinYaahandingovermypropertytomychildrenmyeldestsonbeingresponsibleformytribe(240)Mytribeandallmypropertywereinhischargemyserfsallmycattlemyfruitandeverypleasshyanttreeofmine

19Sishynuhegoesontostatethatheacceptsthechallengewhichhascometohimbecauseheisanoutsider

20Inpractice21TheEgyptiangodofwar22ItisnotclearhowSishynuheexpiatedhissinsexceptbybeingasuccessfulEgypshy

tianinanothercountry23SenshyUsertI24TheyalsowrotetoSishynuhe



Then this servant came southward I halted at the ldquoWays ofHorusrdquo25ThecommandertherewhowasresponsibleforthepatrolsentamessagetotheResidencetomake(it)knownThenhismajshyestysentacapableoverseerofpeasantsof thepalacewith loadedshipsinhistrain(245)carryingpresentationsfromtheroyalpresshyencefortheAsiaticswhohadfollowedmeescortingmetotheldquoWaysofHorusrdquoIcalledeachofthembyhisname26 Everybutlerwas(busy)athisdutiesWhenIstartedandsetsailthekneadshying and straining (of beer) was carried on beside me until I hadreachedthetownofLisht

WhendayhadbrokenveryearlytheycameandsummonedmetenmencomingandtenmengoingtoushermetothepalaceIputmybrowtothegroundbetweenthesphinxes(250)whiletheroyalchildrenwerewaitinginarecesstomeetmeThecourtierswhousherintotheaudiencehallsetmeonthewaytotheprivatechambersIfound his majesty upon the Great Throne in a recess of fine goldWhenIwasstretchedoutuponmybellyIknewnotmyselfinhispresence(although)thisgodgreetedmepleasantlyIwaslikeamancaughtinthedark(255)mysouldepartedmybodywaspowerlessmyheartwasnotinmybodythatImightknowlifefromdeath

ThenhismajestysaidtooneofthesecourtiersldquoLifthimupLethimspeaktomerdquoThenhismajestysaidldquoBeholdthouartcome Thou hast trodden the foreign countries and made a flight(Butnow)elderlinesshasattackedtheethouhastreachedoldageItisnosmallmatterthatthycorpsebe(properly)buriedthoushouldstnotbeinterredbybowmenDonotdonotactthusanylonger(for)thoudostnotspeak(260)whenthynameispronouncedrdquoYet(I)was afraid to respond and I answered it with the answer of oneafraidldquoWhatisitthatmylordsaystomeIshouldanswerit(but)thereisnothingthatIcandoitisreallythehandofagodItisatershyrorthatisinmybellylikethatwhichproducedthefatedflightBeshyholdIambeforetheeThineislifeMaythymajestydoashepleasesrdquo

ThereupontheroyalchildrenwereusheredinThenhismajestysaidtotheQueenldquoHereisSishynuhe(265)comeasaBedu(in)theguiseoftheAsiaticsrdquoShegaveaverygreatcryandtheroyalchildrenclamoredalltogetherThentheysaidtohismajestyldquoItisnotreallyheOSovereignmylordrdquoThenhismajestysaidldquoItisreallyherdquoNowwhentheyhadbroughtwiththemtheirbeadshynecklacestheirrattles and their sistra then they presented them to his majestyldquo Loosethehornofthybowandrelaxthyarrow(275)Givebreath

25TheEgyptianfrontierstationfacingSinaiprobablynearmodernKantarah26HeintroducedtheAsiaticstotheEgyptians


ExExoodd1520ndash211520ndash21



GeGen4142n4142

GeGen4114n4114

FigFig192192

to him that was stifled Give us our goodly gift in this sheikh SishyMehit abowmanborninEgyptHemadeaflightthroughfearoftheehe leftthe landthroughterrorof thee (But) the faceofhimwhobeholdsthyfaceshallnotblench theeyewhichlooksattheeshallnotbeafraidrdquo

ThenhismajestysaidldquoHeshallnotfear(280)HehasnotitletobeindreadHeshallbeacourtieramongthenoblesHeshallbeputintheranksofthecourtiersProceedyetotheinnerchambersofthemorning(toilet)inordertomakehispositionrdquo27

SoIwentforthfromthemidstoftheinnerchamberswiththeroyalchildrengivingmetheirhands(285)ThereafterwewenttotheGreatDoubleDoorIwasputintothehouseofaroyalsoninwhichweresplendidthingsAcoolroomwasinitandimagesofthehorishyzon28 Costly things of the Treasury were in it Clothing of royallinenmyrrhandprimeoilofthekingandofthenobleswhomheloveswereineveryroom(290)Everybutlerwas(busy)athisdutiesYearsweremadeto passawayfrommybodyIwaspluckedandmyhairwascombedAload(ofdirt)wasgiventothedesertandmyclothes(to)theSandshyCrossersIwascladinfinelinenandanointedwithprimeoilIsleptonabedIgaveupthesandtothemwhoareinit(295)andwoodoiltohimwhoisanointedwithitIwasgivenahousewhichhadagardenwhichhadbeeninthepossessionofacourtierManycraftsmenbuiltitandallitswood(work)wasnewlyrestoredMealswerebrought tome fromthepalace threeor fourtimesadayapartfromthatwhichtheroyalchildrengavewithoutceasingamoment

(300)TherewasconstructedformeapyramidshytombofstoneinthemidstofthepyramidshytombsThestoneshymasonswhohewapyrashymidshytombtookoveritsgroundshyareaTheoutlineshydraftsmendesignedinitthechiefsculptorscarvedinitandtheoverseersofworkswhoareinthenecropolismadeittheirconcern(305)ItsnecessarymateshyrialsweremadefromalltheoutfittingswhichareplacedatatombshyshaftMortuarypriestsweregiventomeTherewasmadeformeanecropolisgardenwithfieldsinitformerly(extending)asfarasthetownlikethatwhichisdoneforachiefcourtierMystatuewasovershylaidwithgoldanditsskirtwasoffinegoldItwashismajestywhohaditmadeThereisnopoormanforwhomthelikehasbeendone

(So)Iwasunder(310)thefavorofthekingrsquospresenceuntilthedayofmooringhadcome29

27Sishynuhersquosnewrankistobeestablishedbyachangeofdressinaproperlydesigshynatedplace

28PainteddecorationsldquoCoolroomrdquomayhavebeeneitherabathroomoracellarforpreservingfoods

29Untilthedayofdeath


TheStoryofTwoBrothers bull 11

TheStoryofTwoBrothers ANETANET23ndash2523ndash25

ThisfolktaletellshowaconscientiousyoungmanwasfalselyaccusedofaproshyposalofadulterybythewifeofhiselderbrotherafterhehadactuallyrejectedheradvancesThispartofthestoryhasgeneralsimilaritytothestoryofJosephandPotipharrsquoswifeThetwochiefcharactersarebrothersnamedAnubisand GeGen391ndash20n391ndash20BataThesewerethenamesofEgyptiangodsandthetaleprobablydoeshaveamythologicalsettingHoweveritservedforentertainmentratherthaneccleshysiasticalormoralpurposeThestoryiscolloquialandissotranslated

PapyrusDrsquoOrbiney isnowBritishMuseum10183Facsimiled in SelectPapyriintheHieraticCharacterfromtheCollectionsoftheBritishMuseum11(London1860)PlsixndashxixandinGMoumlllerHieratischeLesestuumlcke11(Leipzig1927)1ndash20Themanuscriptcanbecloselydatedtoabout1225bcin the Nineteenth Dynasty Transcription into hieroglyphic in A H GarshydinerLateshyEgyptianStories(BibliothecaAegyptiaca1Brussels1932)9ndash29TranslationinErmanLAE150ndash61

Now they say that (once) there were two brothers of onemotherandonefatherAnubiswasthenameoftheelderandBatawasthenameoftheyoungerNowasforAnubishe[had]ahouseandhadawife[and]hisyoungerbrother(lived)withhimasasortofminorHewastheonewhomadeclothesforhimandwenttothefieldsdrivinghis cattleHewas theonewhodid theplowingandwhoharvestedforhimHewastheonewhodidall(kindsof)workforhimwhichareinthefieldsReallyhisyounger[brother]wasagood(grown)manTherewasnoone likehim in theentire landWhythestrengthofagodwasinhim

[Now]aftermanydaysafterthis30 hisyoungerbrother(5)[wastending]hiscattleinhiscustomofevery[day]andhe[leftoff](togo)tohishouseeveryeveningloaded[with]all(kindsof)plantsofthefield[with]milkwithwoodand[with]every[goodthingof]thefieldsandhelaidtheminfrontofhis[elderbrother]whowassittingwithhiswifeAndhedrankandheateand[hewentouttosleepin]hisstableamonghiscattle[byhimself]

Nowwhenitwasdawnandaseconddayhadcome[hepreshyparedfood]whichwascookedandlaiditbeforehiselderbrother[Andhe]gavehimbreadforthefieldsAndhedrovehiscattleouttoletthemfeedinthefieldsHewentalongafterhiscattle[and]theywouldsay tohimldquoThegrass [of]suchshyandshysuchaplace isgoodrdquoandhewouldunderstandwhatevertheysaidandwouldtakethemto the place (ii 1) of good grass which they wanted So the cattlewhichwerebeforehimbecameveryveryfineTheydoubledtheircalvingveryverymuch

30Theunthinkingformulaofastorytellermakingatransition



FigFig1616

FigFig1010

Now at the time of plowing his [elder] brother said to himldquoGetayoke [of oxen] ready forus forplowing for thefieldshavecome out and it is fine for plowing Also come to the fields withseedforweshallbebusy(with)plowing[in]themorningrdquoSohespoketohimThen[his](5)youngerbrotherdidallthethingswhichhiselderbrotherhadtoldhimto[do]

Nowwhenitwasdawn[andasecond]dayhadcometheywenttothefieldswiththeir[seed]andtheywerebusy[with]plowshyingand[theirhearts]wereveryverypleasedwiththeiractivityatthebeginningof[their]work

Now[after]many[days]afterthistheywereinthefieldsandranshortofseedThenhesenthisyoungerbrothersayingldquoGoandfetchusseedfromthevillagerdquoAndhisyoungerbrotherfoundthewifeofhiselderbrothersittinganddoingherhairThenhesaidto her ldquoGetupandgiveme (some) seed (iii1) formyyounger31

brotheriswaitingformeDonrsquotdelayrdquoThenshesaidtohimldquoGoandopenthebinandtakewhatyouwantDonrsquotmakemeleavemycombingunfinishedrdquoThentheladwentintohisstableandhetookabigjarforhewantedtocarryoffalotofseedSoheloadedhimselfwithbarleyandemmerandcameoutcarryingthem

ThenshesaidtohimldquoHowmuch(isit)thatisonyourshoulshyderrdquo[Andhe]saidtoher(5)ldquothreesacksofemmertwosacksofbarleyfiveinalliswhatisonyourshoulderrdquo32SohespoketoherThenshe[talkedwith]himsayingldquoThereis[great]strengthinyouNowIseeyourenergieseverydayrdquoAndshewantedtoknowhimasoneknowsaman

ThenshestoodupandtookholdofhimandsaidtohimldquoComeletrsquosspendan[hour]sleeping(together)ThiswilldoyougoodbeshycauseIshallmakefineclothesforyourdquoThenthelad[became]likealeopardwith[great]rageatthewickedsuggestionwhichshehadmadetohimandshewasveryverymuchfrightenedThenhearshygued with her saying ldquoSee heremdashyou are like a mother to meandyourhusbandislikeafathertomeBecausemdashbeingolderthanImdashhe was the one who brought me up What (iv 1) is this greatcrime which you have said to me Donrsquot say it to me again AndIwonrsquottellittoasinglepersonnorwillIletitoutofmymouthtoanymanrdquoAndhelifteduphisloadandhewenttothefieldsThenhereachedhiselderbrotherandtheywerebusywithactivity(at)theirwork

Nowatthe[time]ofeveningthenhiselderbrotherleftoff(togo)tohishouseAndhisyoungerbrothertendedhiscattleand[he] loaded himself with everything of the fields and he took his

31Readldquoelderrdquo32ReadldquomyshoulderrdquoHewascarryingmorethan11bushels



cattle(5)infrontofhimtoletthemsleep(in)theirstablewhichwasinthevillage

Butthewifeofhiselderbrotherwasafraid(becauseof)thesugshygestionwhichshehadmadeThenshetookfatandgrease33andshebecamelikeonewhohasbeencriminallybeatenwantingtotellherhusbandldquoItwasyouryoungerbrotherwhodidthebeatingrdquoAndherhusbandleftoffintheeveningafterhiscustomofeverydayandhereachedhishouseandhefoundhiswifelyingdownterriblysickShedidnotputwateronhishandsafterhiscustomnorhadshelitalightbeforehimandhishousewasindarknessandshelay(there)vomitingSoherhusbandsaidtoherldquoWhohasbeentalkingwithyourdquoThenshesaidtohimldquoNotonepersonhasbeentalkingwithmeexceptyour(v1)youngerbrotherButwhenhecame[to]taketheseedtoyouhefoundmesittingaloneandhesaidtomelsquoComeletrsquosspendanhoursleeping(together)Putonyourcurlsrsquo34 SohespoketomeButIwouldnrsquotlistentohimlsquoArenrsquotIyourmothermdashforyourelderbrotherislikeafathertoyoursquoSoIspoketohimButhewasafraidandhebeat(me)soasnottoletmetellyouNowifyoulet him live Irsquoll kill myself Look when he comes donrsquot [let himspeak] for if I accuse (him of) this wicked suggestion he will bereadytodoittomorrow(again)rdquo

Thenhiselderbrotherbecame(5)likealeopardandhemadehislancesharpandheputitinhishandThenhiselder(brother)stoodbehindthedoor(of)hisstabletokillhisyoungerbrotherwhenhecamebackintheeveningtoputhiscattleinthestable

Nowwhenthesunwassettingheloadedhimself(with)allplantsofthefieldsaccordingtohiscustomofeverydayandhecamebackWhenthefirstcowcameintothestableshesaidtoherherdsmanldquoHerersquosyourelderbrotherwaitingbeforeyoucarryinghislancetokillyouRunawayfromhimrdquoThenheunderstoodwhathisfirstcowhadsaidAnd(vi1)anotherwentinandshesaidthesameSohelookedunderthedoorofhisstableandhesawthefeetof[his]elderbrotherashewaswaitingbehindthedoorwithhislanceinhishandSohelaidhisloadonthegroundandhestartedtorunawayandescapeAndhiselderbrotherwentafterhimcarryinghislance

ThenhisyoungerbrotherprayedtotheReshyHarshyakhti(5)sayingldquoOmygoodlordthouarthewhojudgesthewickedfromthejustrdquoThereupontheReheardallhispleasandtheRemadeagreat(bodyof)waterappearbetweenhimandhiselder(brother)anditwasfullofcrocodilesSooneofthemcametobeononesideandtheotherontheotherAndhiselderbrotherstruckhishandtwicebecauseofhisnotkillinghimThenhisyoungerbrothercalledtohimfromthe

33Apparentlytomakehervomit34Thewigofherfestiveattire



(other)sidesayingldquoWaithereuntildawnWhenthesundiscrisesIshall(vii1)bejudgedwithyouinhispresenceandhewillturnthewickedovertothejustforIwonrsquotbewithyouever[again]IwonrsquotbeinaplacewhereyouaremdashIshallgototheValleyoftheCedarrdquo

NowwhenitwasdawnandaseconddayhadcometheReshyHarshyakhtiaroseandoneofthemsawtheotherThentheladarguedwithhiselderbrothersayingldquoWhatdoyou(meanby)comingaftermetokill(me)falselywhenyouwouldnrsquotlistentowhatIhadtosayNowIamstillyouryoungerbrotherand(5)youarelikeafathertomeandyourwifeislikeamothertomeIsnrsquotitsoWhenIwassenttofetchus(some)seedyourwifesaidtomelsquoComeletrsquosspendanhoursleeping(together)rsquoButlookitistwistedforyouintosomeshythingelserdquoThenhelethimknowallthathadhappenedtohimandhiswifeThenhesworetotheReshyHarshyakhtisayingldquoAsforyourkillshying(me)falselyyoucarriedyourlanceonthewordofafilthywhorerdquoAndhetookareedshyknifeandhecutoffhisphallusandhethrewitinto the water And the shad swallowed (it)35 And he (viii 1) wasfaintandbecameweakAndhiselderbrotherrsquosheartwasveryverysadandhestoodweepingaloudforhimHecouldnotcrossovertowherehisyoungerbrotherwasbecauseofthecrocodiles

Then (the younger brother) went (7) off to the Valley of theCedarandhiselderbrotherwentofftohishousewithhishandlaid

JoJosh76sh76 uponhisheadandhewassmearedwithdust36 SohereachedhisIIKIIKininggs93336s93336 houseandhekilledhiswifeandhethrewherout(to)thedogsAnd

hesatinmourningforhisyoungerbrother(Thestorycontinueswithanumberofepisodes)

ANETANET25ndash2925ndash29 TheJourneyofWenshyAmontoPhoeniciaWhentheEgyptianEmpiredisintegrateditleftavacuuminitsplaceforagenerationortwoEgyptiansAsiaticsandAfricanscontinuedtothinkintermsofanauthoritywhichwasnolongerrealInthefollowingtaleEgypthadalreadybecomealdquobruisedreedrdquobutwascontinuingtoasserttraditional

IsIsa366a366 expressions of dominance The Asiatics were beginning to express theirscepticismandtheirindependenceoftheirgreatneighbortothesouth

ThestoryisalmostpicaresqueinitsatmosphereandmustbeclassedasanarrativeNeverthelessitdealsatcloserangewithactualindividualsand

35Themutilationwasaselfshyimposedordeal tosupporthisoathtothesunshygodThere was a familiar element in the swallowing of the phallus by the fish In thePlutarchaccountoftheOsirismythsitisrelatedthatSethdismemberedOsirisandscatteredthepiecesThenIsiswentaboutandburiedeachpieceasshefounditHowshyevershecouldnotfindthephalluswhichhadbeenthrownintotheriverandeatenbycertainfisheswhichtherebybecameforbiddenfood

36Thusshowinghisgrief


JourneyofWenshyAmontoPhoenicia bull 15

situationsandmusthavehadabasisoffacthereexaggeratedbytheconshysciousandunconscioushumorofthenarratorItdoesrepresentthesituashytioninHitherAsiaabout1100bcmoretellinglythanadocumentofthehistoricalshypropagandisticcategorycoulddo

WenshyAmonanofficialoftheTempleofAmonatKarnaktellshowhewassenttoByblosonthePhoeniciancoasttoprocurelumberforthecereshymonialbargeofthegodEgypthadalreadysplitintosmallstatesanddidnotsupporthismissionwithadequatepurchasingvaluecredentialsorarmedforce

ThepapyrusnowintheMoscowMuseumcomesfromelshyHibehinMidshydleEgyptanddates totheearlyTwentyshyfirstDynasty(11thcenturybc)shortlyaftertheeventsitrelates

Year54thmonthofthe3rdseasonday16thedayonwhichWenshyAmon the Senior of the Forecourt of the House of Amon[LordoftheThrones]oftheTwoLandssetouttofetchthewoodshyworkforthegreatandaugustbarqueofAmonshyReKingoftheGodswhichison[theRiverandwhichisnamed]ldquoUsershyhetshyAmonrdquoOnthedaywhenIreachedTanistheplace[whereNeshysushyBashyneb]shyDedandTashynetshyAmonwere37IgavethemthelettersofAmonshyReKingoftheGodsandthey(5)hadthemreadintheirpresenceAndtheysaidldquoYesIwilldoasAmonshyReKingoftheGodsour[lord]hassaidrdquoIspentuptothe4thmonthofthe3rdseasoninTanisAndNeshysushyBashynebshyDedandTashynetshyAmonsentmeoffwiththeshipcaptainMengebetandIembarkedonthegreatSyrianseainthe1stmonthofthe3rdseasonday1

I reachedDor a townof theTjeker andBeder itsprincehad50loavesofbreadonejugofwine(10)andonelegofbeefbroughttomeAndamanofmyshipranawayandstoleone[vessel]ofgold[amounting]to5debenfourjarsofsilveramountingto20debenandasackof11debenofsilver[Totalofwhat]he[stole]5debenofgoldand31debenofsilver38

IgotupinthemorningandIwenttotheplacewherethePrincewasandIsaid tohimldquoIhavebeenrobbedinyourharborNowyou are the prince of this land and you are its investigator whoshould look for my silver Now about this silvermdashit belongs toAmonshyRe(15)KingoftheGodsthelordofthelandsitbelongsto

37NeshysushyBashynebshyDedwasthedefactoruleroftheDeltawithTanisashiscapitalTashynetshyAmon was apparently his wife At Thebes in Upper Egypt the High PriestofAmonHerishyHorwas thede facto rulerNeshysushyBashynebshyDedandHerishyHorwerein working relations with each other and were shortly to become contemporarypharaohs

38Thisvaluemdashabout450grams(121btroy)ofgoldandabout28kilograms(751btroy)ofsilvermdashwastopayforthelumber

FigFig9999

JuJudg127dg127



NeshysushyBashynebshyDeditbelongstoHerishyHormylordandtheothergreatmenofEgyptItbelongstoyouitbelongstoWeretitbelongstoMekmeritbelongstoZakarshyBaalthePrinceofByblosrdquo39

AndhesaidtomeldquoWhetheryouareimportantorwhetheryouare eminentmdashlook here I do not recognize this accusation whichyouhavemadetomeSupposeithadbeenathiefwhobelongedtomylandwhowentonyourboatandstoleyoursilverIshouldhaverepaidittoyoufrommytreasuryuntiltheyhad(20)foundthisthiefof yoursmdashwhoever he may be Now about the thief who robbedyoumdashhebelongstoyouHebelongstoyourshipSpendafewdaysherevisitingmesothatImaylookforhimrdquo

Ispentninedaysmoored(in)hisharborandIwent(to)callonhimandIsaidtohimldquoLookyouhavenotfoundmysilver[Justlet]me[go]withtheshipcaptainsandwiththosewhogo(to)seardquoBut

FigFig9898 he said to me ldquoBe quietrdquo I went out of Tyre at the break ofdawn ZakarshyBaal the Prince of Byblos (30) ship I found30 deben of silver in it and I seized upon it40 [And I said to theTjekerldquoIhaveseizedupon]yoursilveranditwillstaywithme[until]youfind[mysilverorthethief]whostoleitEventhoughyouhavenotstolenIshalltakeitButasforyourdquoSotheywentawayandIenjoyedmytriumph[in]atent(on)theshoreofthe[sea](in)theharbor of Byblos And [I hid] AmonshyofshytheshyRoad and I put hispropertyinsidehim41

Andthe[Prince]ofByblossenttomesayingldquoGet[outof(35)my]harborrdquoAndIsenttohimsayingldquoWhereshould[Igoto]If[youhaveaship]tocarrymehavemetakentoEgyptagainrdquoSoIspent twentyshynine days in his [harbor while] he [spent] the timesendingtomeeverydaytosayldquoGetout(of)myharborrdquo

NowwhilehewasmakingofferingtohisgodsthegodseizedISaISam1924m1924 oneofhisyouthsandmadehimpossessed42 Andhesaid tohim

ldquoBringup[the]godBringthemessengerwhoiscarryinghim(40)Amonis theonewhosenthimoutHeis theonewhomadehimcomerdquoAndwhilethepossessed(youth)washavinghis frenzyonthisnightIhad(already) foundashipheadedforEgyptandhadloadedeverything that Ihad into itWhile Iwaswatching for thedarkness thinking that when it descended I would load the god

39OntheonehandthegoldandsilverbelongtotheEgyptianswhosentWenshyAmonOntheotherhandtheybelongtotheAsiaticswhowouldreceiveitBederthushasdoubleresponsibilitiestorecoverthem

40Nearlythesameamountasthesilverwhichhadbeenstolenfromhimwithoutaccountofthegold

41The divine image would have its daily cult and therefore its cultic apparatuswouldbestoredwithinthehollowimage

42Perhapsacourtpagewasseizedwithapropheticfrenzy



(also)sothatnoothereyemightseehimtheharbormastercametome sayingldquoWaituntilmorningmdashsosays thePrincerdquoSoI said tohimldquoArenrsquotyoutheonewhospendthetimecomingtomeeverydaytosaylsquoGetout(of)myharborrsquoArenrsquotyousayinglsquoWaitrsquotonight(45)inordertolettheshipwhichIhavefoundgetawaymdashand(then)youwillcomeagain(to)saylsquoGoawayrsquordquoSohewentandtoldittothePrinceAndthePrincesenttothecaptainoftheshiptosayldquoWaituntilmorningmdashsosaysthePrincerdquo

Whenmorningcamehesentandbroughtmeupbutthegodstayed in the tent where he was (on) the shore of the sea And Ifound him sitting (in) his upper room with his back turned to awindowsothatthewavesofthegreatSyrianseabrokeagainsttheback(50)ofhishead43

SoIsaidtohimldquoMayAmonfavoryourdquoButhesaidtomeldquoHowlonguptotodaysinceyoucamefromtheplacewhereAmonisrdquoSoIsaidtohimldquoFivemonthsandonedayuptonowrdquoAndhesaidtomeldquoWellyoursquoretruthfulWhereistheletterofAmonwhich(shouldbe)inyourhandWhereisthedispatchoftheHighPriestofAmonwhich(shouldbe)inyourhandrdquoAndItoldhimldquoIgavethemtoNeshysushyBashynebshyDedandTashynetshyAmonrdquoAndhewasveryveryangryandhesaidtomeldquoNowseemdashneitherlettersnordispatchesareinyourhandWhereisthecedarshipwhichNeshysushyBashynebshyDedgavetoyouWhereis(55)itsSyriancrewDidnrsquotheturnyouovertothisforeign ship captain to have him kill you and throw you into thesea(Then)withwhomwouldtheyhave lookedforthegodAndyoutoomdashwithwhomwouldtheyhavelookedforyoutoordquoSohespoketome

ButisaidtohimldquoWasnrsquotitanEgyptianshipNowitisEgypshytiancrewswhichsailunderNeshysushyBashynebshyDedHehasnoSyriancrewsrdquoAndhesaidtomeldquoArenrsquottheretwentyshipshereinmyharshyborwhichareincommercialrelationswithNeshysushyBashynebshyDedAstothisSidon(ii1)theother(place)whichyouhavepassedarenrsquottherefiftymoreshipstherewhichareincommercialrelationswithWerketshyElandwhicharedrawnuptohishouserdquoAndIwassilentinthisgreattime

Andheansweredandsaid tome ldquoOnwhatbusinesshaveyoucomerdquoSoItoldhimldquoIhavecomeafterthewoodworkforthegreatandaugustbarqueofAmonshyReKingoftheGodsYourfatherdid(it)(5)yourgrandfatherdid(it)andyouwilldoittoordquoSoIspoketohimButhesaidtomeldquoTobesuretheydiditAndifyougiveme(something)fordoingitIwilldoitWhywhenmypeoplecarriedout this commission Pharaohmdashlife prosperity healthmdashsent six

43Pictorially not literally WenshyAmon gives his vivid first view of ZakarshyBaalframedinanupperwindowoverlookingthesurfoftheMediterranean

Ezek278ndash9Ezek278ndash9



ships loaded with Egyptian goods and they unloaded them intotheir storehouses Youmdashwhat is it that yoursquore bringing memdashmealsordquoAndhehadthejournalrollsofhisfathersbroughtandhehadthemreadoutinmypresenceandtheyfoundathousanddebenofsilverandallkindsofthingsinhisscrolls

(10)SohesaidtomeldquoIftherulerofEgyptwerethelordofmineand I were his servant also he would not have to send silver andgoldsayinglsquoCarryoutthecommissionofAmonrsquoTherewouldbenocarryingofaroyalshygiftsuchastheyusedtodoformyfatherAsformemdashmealsomdashIamnotyourservantIamnottheservantofhimwhosentyoueitherIfIcryouttotheLebanontheheavensopenupandthelogsareherelying(on)theshoreoftheseaGive(15)methesailswhichyouhavebroughttocarryyourshipswhichwouldhold the logs for (Egypt) Give me the ropes [which] you havebrought[tolashthecedar]logswhichIamtocutdowntomakeyouwhichIshallmakeforyou(as)thesailsofyourboatsandthesparswillbe(too)heavyandwillbreakandyouwilldieinthemidshydleoftheseaSeeAmonmadethunderintheskywhenheputSethnearhim44 NowwhenAmon(20) foundedall lands in foundingthemhefoundedfirstthelandofEgyptfromwhichyoucomeforcraftsmanship came out of it to reach the place where I am andlearningcameoutofittoreachtheplacewhereIamWhatarethesesillytripswhichtheyhavehadyoumakerdquo

AndIsaidtohimldquo(Thatrsquos)nottrueWhatIamonarenolsquosillytripsrsquoatallThereisnoshipupontheRiverwhichdoesnotbelongtoAmonTheseaishisandtheLebanonishisofwhichyousaylsquoItisminersquo It forms (25) the nursery for UsershyhetshyAmon the lord of[every] ship Why he spokemdashAmonshyRe King of the GodsmdashandsaidtoHerishyHormymasterlsquoSendmeforthrsquoSohehadmecomecarryingthisgreatgodButseeyouhavemadethisgreatgodspendthesetwentyshyninedaysmoored(in)yourharboralthoughyoudidnotknow(it)IsnrsquothehereIsnrsquothethe(same)ashewasYouarestationed (here) to carry on the commerce of the Lebanon withAmonitslordAsforyoursayingthattheformerkingssentsilverandgoldmdashsupposethattheyhadlifeandhealth(then)theywouldnothavehadsuchthingssent(30)(But)theyhadsuchthingssenttoyour fathers inplaceof lifeandhealth45 Now as forAmonshyReKingoftheGodsmdashheisthelordofthislifeandhealthandhewasthelordofyourfathersTheyspenttheirlifetimesmakingofferingto

44Asgodof thunderThusAmonandSethweregodsofall landsnotofEgyptalone

45IncontrastwiththepastWenshyAmonhasbroughtanactualgodinldquoAmonshyofshytheshyRoadrdquosothattheremaybespiritualratherthanmaterialadvantagesforZakarshyBaal



AmonAndyoualsomdashyouaretheservantofAmonIfyousaytoAmon lsquoYesIwilldo(it)rsquoandyoucarryouthiscommissionyouwillliveyouwillbeprosperousyouwillbehealthyandyouwillbegoodtoyourentirelandandyourpeople(But)donrsquotwishforyourshyself anything belonging to AmonshyRe (King of) the Gods Why alionwantshisownpropertyHaveyoursecretarybroughttomesothat(35)ImaysendhimtoNeshysushyBashynebshyDedandTashynetshyAmontheofficerswhomAmonputinthenorthofhislandandtheywillhaveallkindsofthingssentIshallsendhimtothemtosaylsquoLetitbe brought until I shall go (back again) to the south and I shall(then)haveeverybitofthedebtstill(duetoyou)broughttoyoursquordquoSoIspoketohim

SoheentrustedmylettertohismessengerandheloadedinthekeelthebowshypostthesternshypostalongwithfourotherhewntimshybersmdashseveninallmdashandhehadthemtakentoEgyptAndinthefirstmonthofthesecondseasonhismessengerwhohadgonetoEgyptcamebacktomeinSyriaAndNeshysushyBashynebshyDedandTashynetshyAmonsent (40) 4 jars and 1 kakshymen of gold 5 jars of silver 10 piecesofclothing inroyal linen10kherdofgoodUpperEgyptianlinen500(rollsof)finishedpapyrus500cowhides500ropes20sacksoflentils and 30 baskets of fish And she sent to me (personally) 5pieces of clothing in good Upper Egyptian linen 5 kherd of goodUpperEgyptianlinen1sackoflentilsand5basketsoffish

AndthePrincewasgladandhedetailedthreehundredmenandthreehundredcattleandheputsupervisorsattheirheadtohavethemcutdownthetimberSotheycutthemdownandtheyspentthesecondseasonlyingthere46

Inthethirdmonthofthethirdseasontheydraggedthem(to)theshoreoftheseaandthePrincecameoutandstoodbythemAndhesenttome(45)sayingldquoComerdquoNowwhenIpresentedmyselfnearhimtheshadowofhislotusshyblossomfelluponmeAndPenshyAmonabutlerwhobelongedtohimcutmeoffsayingldquoTheshadowofPharaohmdashlife prosperity healthmdashyour lord has fallen on yourdquoButhewasangryathimsayingldquoLethimalonerdquo47

SoIpresentedmyselfnearhimandheansweredandsaidtomeldquoSeethecommissionwhichmyfatherscarriedoutformerlyIhavecarried itout (also) even thoughyouhavenotdone formewhatyour fathers would have done for me and you too (should havedone)Seethelastofyourwoodworkhasarrivedandislying(here)DoasIwishandcometoloaditinmdashforarenrsquottheygoingtogiveit

46Seasoninginthemountains47PerhapswehavetodowiththeblightofmajestyThebutlerrsquosjesthaspointifthe

shadowofpharaohwastoointimateandholytofalluponacommoner

FigFig8989



toyou(50)DonrsquotcometolookattheterroroftheseaIfyoulookattheterroroftheseayouwillseemyown(too)48 WhyIhavenotdone to you what was done to the messengers of KhashyemshyWasetwhen they spent seventeen years in this landmdashthey died (where)theywererdquoAndhesaidtohisbutlerldquoTakehimandshowhimtheirtombinwhichtheyarelyingrdquo

ButIsaidtohimldquoDonrsquotshowittomeAsforKhashyemshyWasetmdashtheyweremenwhomhesent toyouasmessengersandhewasamanhimselfYoudonothaveoneofhismessengers(hereinme)whenyousay lsquoGoandseeyourcompanionsrsquoNowshouldnrsquotyourejoice(55)andhaveastela[made]foryourselfandsayonitlsquoAmonshyReKingof theGodssent tomeAmonshyofshytheshyRoadhismessenshygermdash[life] prosperity healthmdashand WenshyAmon his human messhysenger after the woodwork for the great and august barque ofAmonshyReKingoftheGodsIcutitdownIloadeditinIprovidedit(with)myshipsandmycrewsIcausedthemtoreachEgyptinordertoaskfiftyyearsoflifefromAmonformyselfoverandabovemyfatersquoAnditshallcometopassthatafteranothertimeamessenshygermaycomefromthe landofEgyptwhoknowswritingandhemayreadyournameonthestelaAndyouwillreceivewater(in)theWestlikethegodswhoare(60)hererdquo49

AndhesaidtomeldquoThiswhichyouhavesaidtomeisagreattesshytimonyofwordsrdquo50SoIsaidtohimldquoAsforthemanythingswhichyouhavesaid tome if I reach theplacewhere theHighPriestofAmonisandheseeshowyouhave(carriedoutthis)commissionitis your (carrying out of this) commission (which) will draw outsomethingforyourdquo

AndIwent(to)theshoreoftheseatotheplacewherethetimberwaslyingandIspiedelevenshipsbelongingtotheTjekercominginfromtheseainordertosayldquoArresthimDonrsquotletashipofhis(go)tothelandofEgyptrdquoThenIsatdownandweptAndtheletterscribeof thePrincecameouttome(65)andhesaidtomeldquoWhatrsquosthematterwithyourdquoAndIsaidtohimldquoHavenrsquotyouseenthebirdsgodowntoEgyptasecondtime51Lookatthemmdashhowtheytraveltothecoolpools(But)howlongshallIbelefthereNowdonrsquotyouseethosewhoarecomingagaintoarrestmerdquo

So he went and told it to the Prince And the Prince began toweepbecauseof thewordswhichwere said tohim for theywere

48If you use wind or weather as excuses for delay you will find me just asdangerous

49Alibationtohelpmaintainthedead50Wecannotbesurewhethertheironywasconsciousorunconscious51WenshyAmonhadbeenawayfromEgyptformorethanayearseeingtwoflights

ofbirdssouthward


TraditionofSevenLeanYearsinEgypt bull 21

painfulAndhesentouttomehisletterscribeandhebroughttometwo jugsofwineandoneramAndhesent tomeTashynetshyNotanEgyptiansingerwhowaswithhim52 sayingldquoSingtohimDonrsquotlethisheart takeoncaresrdquoAndhesent tome (70) tosayldquoEatanddrink Donrsquot let your heart take on cares for tomorrow you shallhearwhateverIhavetosayrdquo

When morning came he had his assembly summoned and hestoodintheirmidstandhesaidtotheTjekerldquoWhathaveyoucome(for)rdquoAndtheysaidtohimldquoWehavecomeaftertheblastedshipswhichyouaresendingtoEgyptwithouropponentsrdquoButhesaidtothemldquoIcannotarrestthemessengerofAmoninsidemylandLetmesendhimawayandyougoafterhimtoarresthimrdquo

SoheloadedmeinandhesentmeawayfromthereattheharboroftheseaAndthewindcastmeonthelandof(75)AlashiyaAndtheyofthetowncameoutagainstmetokillmebutIforcedmywaythrough themto theplacewhereHeteb theprincessof the townwasImetherasshewasgoingoutofonehouseofhersandgoingintoanotherofhers

SoIgreetedherandIsaidtothepeoplewhowerestandingnearherldquoIsnrsquotthereoneofyouwhounderstandsEgyptianrdquoAndoneofthemsaidldquoIunderstand(it)rdquoSoIsaidtohimldquoTellmyladythatIhaveheardasfarawayasThebestheplacewhereAmonisthatinshyjustice is done in every town but justice is done in the land ofAlashiyaYetinjusticeisdonehereeverydayrdquoAndshesaidldquoWhywhatdoyou(mean)(80)bysayingitrdquoSoItoldherldquoIftheseaisstormyandthewindcastsmeonthelandwhereyouareyoushouldnotletthemtakemeinchargetokillmeForIamamessengerofAmonLookheremdashasformetheywillsearchformeallthetimeAstothiscrewofthePrinceofBybloswhichtheyarebentonkillingwonrsquotitslordfindtencrewsofyoursandhealsokillthemrdquo

Soshehadthepeoplesummonedandtheystood(there)AndshesaidtomeldquoSpendthenightrdquo

(AtthispointthepapyrusbreaksoffSincethetaleistoldinthefirstpersonitisfairtoassumethatWenshyAmonreturnedtoEgypttotellhisstoryinsomemeasureofsafetyorsuccess)

TheTraditionofSevenLeanYearsinEgyptTheprosperityofEgyptdependsuponthesatisfactoryflowoftheNileparshyticularlyuponitsannualinundationandthatriverisanticandunpredictshyableAncientEgyptian textshave frequentreferences tohungerldquoyearsof

52EgyptianwomenwhoentertainedorparticipatedincultceremoniesinAsiaareknownintheinscriptionsontheMegiddoivories




FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127

miseryrdquoldquoayearoflowNilerdquoandsoon53ThetextwhichfollowstellsofsevenyearsoflowNilesandfamineInitspresentformthetextderivesfromthePtolemaicperiod(perhapsaroundtheendofthe2ndcenturybc)HowshyeveritsstatedsettingisthereignofDjoseroftheThirdDynasty(about28thcenturybc)ItstatesthereasonswhyastretchofNilelandsouthofEleshyphantinehadbeendevotedtoKhnumgodofElephantineItisaquestionwhetheritisapriestlyforgeryofsomelateperiodjustifyingtheirclaimtoterritorialprivilegesorwhetheritcorrectlyrecountsanactualgrantoflandmore than 2500 years earlier This question cannot be answered in finaltermsWecanonlyaffirmthatEgypthada traditionof seven leanyearswhichbyacontractualarrangementbetweenpharaohandagodweretobefollowedbyyearsofplenty

Year18oftheHorusNetjershyershykhettheKingofUpperandLowerEgyptNetjershyershykhettheTwoGoddessesNetjershyershykhettheHorusofGoldDjoserandundertheCountMayorRoyalAcquaintanceandOverseerofNubiansinElephantineMadirTherewasbroughttohim54thisroyaldecree

TolettheeknowIwasindistressontheGreatThroneandthosewhoareinthepalacewereinheartrsquosafflictionfromaverygreatevilsincetheNilehadnotcomeinmytimeforaspaceofsevenyearsGrainwasscantfruitsweredriedupandeverythingwhichtheyeatwasshortEverymanrobbedhiscompanionTheymovedwithoutgoing (ahead) The infant was wailing the youth was waiting theheartoftheoldmenwasinsorrowtheirlegswerebentcrouchingonthegroundtheirarmswerefoldedThecourtierswereinneedThe temples were shut up the sanctuaries held [nothing but] airEvery[thing]wasfoundempty

IextendedmyheartbacktothebeginningsandIaskedhimwhowastheChamberlaintheIbistheChiefLectorPriestIishyemshy(ho)tep55

thesonofPtahSouthshyofshyHisshyWallldquoWhat is thebirthplaceof theNileWhoisthegodthereWhoisthegodrdquo

Thenheanswered(5)meldquoIneedtheguidanceofHimWhoPreshysidesovertheHouseoftheFowlingNet56fortheheartrsquosconfidence

53VandiergivesapreviouslyunpublishedtextfromtheFirstIntermediatePeriod(23rdndash21stcenturybc)fromatombsomedistancesouthofThebesldquoWhentheenshytireUpperEgyptwasdyingbecauseofhungerwitheverymaneatinghis(own)chilshydrenIneveralloweddeathtooccurfromhungerinthisnomeIgavealoanofgraintoUpperEgyptMoreoverIkeptalivethedomainofElephantineandkeptaliveIatshynegenintheseyearsafterthetownsofHefatandHorshymerhadbeensatisfiedrdquoHetookcareofhishomedistrictsfirst

54ToMadirtheGovernoratElephantine55ThefamedministerofDjoserwhosereputationforwisdomlaterbroughthim

deification56ThothofHermopolisthegodofwisdomandofpriestlylore



ofallmenaboutwhattheyshoulddoIshallenterintotheHouseofLifeandspreadouttheSoulsofRe57(tosee)ifsomeguidancebeinthemrdquo

Sohewentandhereturnedtomeimmediatelythathemightinshystruct meon the inundationof theNile andeverythingaboutwhich they had written He uncovered for me the hidden spellsthereoftowhichtheancestorshadtaken(their)waywithouttheirequalamongkingssincethelimitsoftimeHesaidtome

ldquoThereisacityinthemidstofthewaters[fromwhich]theNilerisesnamedElephantineItistheBeginningoftheBeginningtheBeginningNome(facing)towardWawatItisthejoiningofthelandtheprimevalhillockofearththethroneofRewhenhereckonstocastlifebesideeverybodylsquoPleasantofLifersquoisthenameofitsdwellshying lsquoTheTwoCavernsrsquo is thenameof thewater theyare the twobreastswhichpourforthallgoodthingsItisthecouchoftheNileinwhichhebecomesyoung(again)Hefecundates(theland)bymountingasthemalethebulltothefemaleherenews(his)virilityassuaginghisdesireHerushestwentyshyeightcubits(highatElephanshytine)hehastensatDiospolissevencubits(high)Khnumisthereasagodrdquo

(18) As I slept in life and satisfaction Idiscovered thegodstandingoveragainstmeIpropitiatedhimwithpraiseIprayedtohiminhispresenceHerevealedhimselftomehisfacebeingfreshHiswordswere

ldquoIamKhnumthyfashionerIknowtheNileWhenheisinshytroducedintothefieldshisintroductiongiveslifetoeverynostrilliketheintroduction(oflife)tothefieldsTheNilewillpourforthfortheewithoutayearofcessationorlaxnessforanylandPlantswillgrowbowingdownunderthefruitRenenut58willbeattheheadofeverythingDependentswillfulfillthepurposesintheirhearts(22)aswellas themasterThestarvationyearwillhavegoneand(peoplersquos)borrowingfromtheirgranarieswillhavedepartedEgyptwillcomeintothefieldsthebankswillsparkleandcontentmentwillbeintheirheartsmorethanthatwhichwasformerlyrdquo

ThenIawokequicklymyheartcuttingoffwearinessImadethisdecreebesidemyfatherKhnum59

ldquoAn offeringwhichtheKinggivestoKhnumtheLordoftheCatshyaract Region Who Presides over Nubia in recompense for thesethingswhichthouwiltdoforme

57ThescriptoriuminwhichthesacredandmagicbooksldquoTheSoulsofRerdquowerekept

58Thegoddessoftheharvest59ThatisinthetempleofKhnum

IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156



ldquoIoffertotheethywestinManuandthyeast(in)Bakhu60 fromElephantineasfaras[Takompso]fortwelveiters61 ontheeastandwestwhetherarable landordesertor river ineverypartof theseitersrdquo

(TheremainderofthetextcontinuesDjoserrsquospromisetoKhnumtheessenceofwhichisthatthelandpresentedtothegodshallbetithedforhistempleItisfinallyprovidedthatthedecreeshallbeinshyscribedonastelainthetempleofKhnum)

60Manuwas thewesternandBakhu theeasternmountain rangebordering theNile

61TheDodekaschoinosknownfromtheGreekwriters



FigFig158158

GeGen22n22

(Thus)ithappenedthattheheartandtonguegainedcontrolover[every](other)memberofthebodybyteachingthathe2 isineverybodyandineverymouthofallgodsallmen[all]cattleallcreepingthingsand(everything)thatlivesbythinkingandcommandingevshyerythingthathewishes

(55)HisEnneadisbeforehimin(theformof)teethandlipsThatis (theequivalentof) thesemenandhandsofAtumWhereas theEnneadofAtumcameintobeingbyhissemenandhisfingerstheEnnead(ofPtah)howeveristheteethandlipsinthismouthwhichpronounced the name of everything from which Shu and TefnutcameforthandwhichwasthefashioneroftheEnnead

ThesightoftheeyesthehearingoftheearsandthesmellingtheairbythenosetheyreporttotheheartItisthiswhichcauseseverycompleted(concept)tocomeforthanditisthetonguewhichanshynounceswhattheheartthinks

Thusall thegodswere formedandhisEnneadwascompletedIndeedallthedivineorderreallycameintobeingthroughwhattheheartthoughtandthetonguecommandedThusthekashyspiritsweremadeandthehemsutshyspiritswereappointedtheywhomakeallproshyvisionsandallnourishmentbythisspeech(Thusjusticewasgivento)himwhodoeswhatisliked(andinjusticeto)himwhodoeswhatisdislikedThuslifewasgiventohimwhohaspeaceanddeathwasgiventohimwhohassinThusweremadeallworkandallcraftstheaction of the arms the movement of the legs and the activity ofevery member in conformance with (this) command which theheart thought which came forth through the tongue and whichgivesvaluetoeverything

(Thus)ithappenedthatitwassaidofPtahldquoHewhomadeallandbroughtthegods intobeingrdquoHeis indeedTashytenenwhobroughtforth the gods for everything came forth from him nourishmentandprovisionstheofferingsofthegodsandeverygoodthingThusitwasdiscoveredandunderstood thathis strength isgreater than(thatoftheother)godsAndsoPtahwassatisfied3afterhehadmadeeverythingaswellasallthedivineorderHehadformedthegodshehadmadecitieshehadfoundednomeshehadputthegodsintheirshrines(60)hehadestablishedtheirofferingshehadfoundedtheirshrineshehadmadetheirbodieslikethat(withwhich)theirheartsweresatisfiedSothegodsenteredintotheirbodiesofevery(kindof)woodofevery(kindof)stoneofevery(kindof)clayoranyshythingwhichmightgrowuponhim4 inwhichtheyhadtakenform

2Ptahasheartandtongue3OrldquosoPtahrestedrdquo4UponPtahinhisformoftheldquorisinglandrdquoNotethatdivineimageswerenotthe

godsthemselvesbutonlyplaces














FigFig158158























FigFig105105

















NNum132327um132327























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FigFig192192




















FigFig1616

FigFig1010







































FigFig9999

JuJudg127dg127







































FigFig8989










ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127





















IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156




















FigFig158158























FigFig105105

















NNum132327um132327























GeGen4142n4142

GeGen4114n4114

FigFig192192




















FigFig1616

FigFig1010







































FigFig9999

JuJudg127dg127







































FigFig8989










ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127





















IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156





























FigFig105105

















NNum132327um132327























GeGen4142n4142

GeGen4114n4114

FigFig192192




















FigFig1616

FigFig1010







































FigFig9999

JuJudg127dg127







































FigFig8989










ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127





















IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156























NNum132327um132327























GeGen4142n4142

GeGen4114n4114

FigFig192192




















FigFig1616

FigFig1010







































FigFig9999

JuJudg127dg127







































FigFig8989










ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127





















IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156





























GeGen4142n4142

GeGen4114n4114

FigFig192192




















FigFig1616

FigFig1010







































FigFig9999

JuJudg127dg127







































FigFig8989










ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127





















IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156


















FigFig1616

FigFig1010







































FigFig9999

JuJudg127dg127







































FigFig8989










ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127





















IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156





































FigFig9999

JuJudg127dg127







































FigFig8989










ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127





















IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156













































FigFig8989










ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

GeGen4127n4127





















IKIKininggs35s35

GeGen4156n4156
















ofbirdssouthward














FigFig162162

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IKIKininggs35s35

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FigFig162162

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IKIKininggs35s35

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egyptian myths and tales - princeton universityassets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/s9293.pdf ·...

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