Through the Eras

Literaturetional. Because the name Ptahhotep bore great prestigeamong later generations, the author hoped that Ptahhotep’sprestige would attach to his work of literature.Composed of 37 maxims, the rules of conduct andproverbs aim to present the reader with the proper conductthat will lead to success in life. The narrator, Ptahhotep,argues that following these maxims will resultboth in success and in justice. The success and importanceof the work is evident in the fact that it was stillbeing copied in the Nineteenth Dynasty, and was probablyused in ancient Egyptian schools.SOURCESElke Blumenthal, “Ptahhotep und der ‘Stab des Alters,’” inForm und Mass: Beiträge zur Literatur, Sprache und Kunstdes alten Ägypten: Festschrift für Gerhard Fecht zum 65.Geburtstag am 6. February 1987. Ed. J. Osing (Wiesbaden,Germany: Otto Harrasowitz, 1987): 84–97.Henry G. Fischer, Varia (New York: Metropolitan Museumof Art, 1976): 82.WENAMUNTwentieth Dynasty (1190–1075 B.C.E.)–Twenty-firstDynasty (1075–945 B.C.E.)Elder of the Portal of (the god) AmunEnvoyMERCHANT. Wenamun’s personal history is unknown.In fact, it is difficult to ascertain whether he wasan historical or fictional figure. The document called TheReport of Wenamun, a papyrus now in Moscow, is writtento resemble a bureaucratic report on a mission to a foreigncountry. Yet the level of detail and the negative informationincluded in it is never otherwise found in ancientEgyptian non-fiction. Wenamun travels to Byblos, a townin modern Lebanon, to buy wood for the ceremonial shipof the god Amun. En route, robbers steal Wenamun’smoney. He continues to Byblos, but the king of Bybloshas no interest in trading with a man without money, evenif he represents the god. Finally, after many tribulations,Wenamun is forced to flee and he reaches Cyprus. Herethe papyrus ends, before the story is concluded. Egyptologistsdisagree on how to judge this mixture of a nonfictionform with what is usually fictional content. In anycase Wenamun’s report undoubtedly reflects the state ofaffairs at the close of the New Kingdom when Egypt hadlost control of its possessions in the Near East.SOURCESErik Hornung, Sinuhe und Wenamun: Zwei ägyptische Wanderer(Munich: Wilhelm Fink, 1995).DOCUMENTARYSOURCESin LiteratureComplaints of Khakheperre-sonb (c. reign of Senwosret II,1844–1837 B.C.E.)—This example of the pessimistic literaturecontrasts reality with the Egyptian ideal of justice.The Doomed Prince (c. 1292–1075 B.C.E.—This narrativeconcerns a young prince who attempts to escape fate. Becausethe papyrus breaks off, it is not clear if he succeeds.Horus and Seth (c. 1292–1075 B.C.E.)—In this story, twogods sue each other in a court of the gods to determinewho is the rightful heir to the throne. It may be a satireof the process of succession and the political machinationsof the many sons of either Ramesses II orRamesses III.The Immortality of Writers (c. 1292–1075 B.C.E.)—Thisverse description claims that writing is more importanta monument to the author than his tomb.Prophecy of Neferty (c. Twelfth Dynasty, 1938–1909B.C.E.)—This pessimistic work of prophecy is set in theOld Kingdom but was written in the Middle Kingdom.Neferty tells King Khufu of the troubles to come andEgypt’s salvation by King Amenemhet I.The Report of Wenamun (c. 1075–1049 B.C.E.)—This narrative,styled as a bureaucratic report, describes an illfatedexpedition to buy wood for a new ship for thegod Amun.The Shipwrecked Sailor (c. Twelfth Dynasty, 1938–1759B.C.E.)—This narrative about a sailor who attempts tocomfort his captain about the failure of their expeditioncontains stories within the story.The Story of Sinuhe (c. reign of Senwosret I, 1908–1875B.C.E.)—Egypt’s great national epic shows the mercy ofthe king and the ability of one man to transform himself.The Story of Two Brothers (c. 1292–1075 B.C.E.)—This narrativedescribes the origin of the god Bata but also reflectsparallels with the Hebrew Bible story of Joseph.The Teachings of Amenemhet I (c. 1909–1875 B.C.E.)—Thiswork provides advice on how to rule, reportedly givenby the king Amenemhet I to his son.Teachings of Ptahhotep (c. Twelfth Dynasty, 1938–1759B.C.E.)—This work of moral and practical advice wasattributed to the prime minister Ptahhotep, although itwas actually written several centuries after his lifetime.Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.) 149