Ancient Egyptian Literature: Volume I: The Old And Middle Kingdoms (ancient Egyptian Literature, A Book Of Readings)

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LITERATURE Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms MIRIAM LICHTHEIM Contents Chronological Table Abbreviations and Symbols xii xiv Introduction Literary Genres and Literary Styles PART ONE: 3 The Old Kingdom I. Monumental Inscriptions from Private Tombs IS Inscriptions of Princess Ni-sedjer-kai Inscription of Hetep-her-akhet Inscription of Nefer-seshem-re called Sheshi Stela of Ni-hebsed-Pepi from Naqada The Autobiography of Weni The Autobiography of Harkhuf 15 16 17 17 18 23 28 II. A Royal Decree Charter of King Pepi I for the Chapel of his mother 28 29 III. From the Pyramid Texts Unas Pyramid Texts: Utterances 217, 239, 245, 253, 263, 270,273-274,304,309,317 Teti Pyramid Texts: Utterances 337, 350, 373, 4Oz, 403, 406 ,407 Pepi I Pyramid Texts: Utterances 432, 440 , 442, 4f6, 454. +86. 517. 573 30 40 44 51 IV. A Theological Treatise "The Memphite Theology" 5] S8 V. Didactic Literature The Instruction of Prince Hardjedef The Instruction Addressed to Kagemni The Instruction of Ptahhotep is 58 59 6] x CONTENTS PART TWO: The Transition to the Middle Kingdom I. Monumental Inscriptions from Private Tombs Stela of Count Indi of This The First Part of the Autobiography of Ankhtifi Stela of the Butler Merer of Edfu Stela of the Treasurer Iti of Imyotru Stela of the Steward Seneni of Coptus Stela of the Soldier Qedes from Gebelein Stela of the Treasurer Tjetji 83 84 85 87 88 8g 90 90 II. The Prayers of a Theban King 94 A Stela of King Wahankh Intef II 94 III. The Testament of a Heracleopolitan King The Instruction Addressed to King Merikare PART THREE: 97 97 The Middle Kingdom I. Monumental Inscriptions 113 113 Rock Stela of Mentuhotep IV Building Inscription of Sesostris I Boundary Stela of Sesostris III Stela of Intef Son of Sent Stela of Ikhernofret Stela of Sehetep-ib-re Stela of Horemkhauf 123 125 129 II. A Spell from the Coffin Texts 131 CT Il30 and 1031 III. Didactic Literature The Instruction of King Amenemhet I for His Son Sesostris I The Prophecies of Neferti The Complaints of Khakheperre-sonb The Admonitions of Ipuwer The Dispute between a Man and His Ba The Eloquent Peasant The Satire of the Trades IV. Songs and Hymns Three Harpers' Songs 115 118 120 131 134 135 139 145 149 163 169 184 193 193 CONTENTS A Cycle of Hymns to King Sesostris III A Hymn to the Red Crown A Hymn to Osiris and a Hymn to Min The Hymn to Hapy V. Prose Tales The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor Three Tales of Wonder The Story of Sinuhe Indexes I. II. III. IV. V. VI. Divinities Kings and Queens Personal Names Geographical and Ethnical Tenns Egyptian Words Some Major Concepts xi 198 201 202 204 211 211 21 5 222 237 239 240 24 1 242 243 245 Chronological Table The Archaic Period: Dynasties 1-2 ca. 3000-2650 B.C. The Old Kingdom: Dynasties 3-8 Third Dynasty Djoser Huni Fourth Dynasty Snefru Khufu Fifth Dynasty Userkaf Sahure Neferirkare Isesi Unas Sixth Dynasty Teti Merire Pepi I Mernere Neferkare Pepi II SeventhfEighth Dynasty ca. 265°-2135 ca. 265°-2600 The Transition to the Middle Kingdom ca. 2135-2040 ca. 2600-2450