Through the Eras

Philosophyleast one son named Au-ib-re to whom he wrote a teaching.As an author, Hordjedef is credited as being a teacherand a great storyteller. He is the narrator of a story inthe collection called Khufu and the Magicians. In histeaching, Hordjedef concentrates on the importance ofstarting a family and preparing a proper burial. Unfortunately,very little of the text of his instruction survives.The copies that do survive, however, date from the NewKingdom, at least one thousand years after he originallycomposed the text. In the Ramesside Period (1292–1075B.C.E.) he was remembered as one of the great authorsof the past.SOURCESJan Assmann, Weisheit, Schrift uind Literature im altenAgypten (Munich: W. Fink Verlag, 1991).Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, Vol. I(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1973).MERYKAREfl. during the Tenth Dynasty (2130–1980 B.C.E.)KingROYAL TEACHINGS. Merykare was king during theTenth Dynasty, a period of which little is known. He isnamed in the tomb of Khety—a provincial governor—where it is clear that Merykare fought the Theban familythat eventually united Egypt in the Middle Kingdom(2008–1630 B.C.E.). Merykare must have been quiteprominent in his own time. He might have had a pyramidat Saqqara, the site of many important Old Kingdompyramids. A text known only from New Kingdomcopies claims to be a teaching written by Merykare’sfather, whose name is not preserved, when Merykare wasa prince. If the text truly was composed in the TenthDynasty, it is the oldest royal teaching from ancientEgypt. Merykare’s father gives him advice on being aking in the text. He also enumerates his own mistakesduring his reign. Perhaps these mistakes are the reasonthat the text was still studied in the New Kingdom. TheTheban kings of the Middle and the New Kingdom musthave considered Merykare and his father hostile to them.Yet his teachings were preserved.SOURCESMiriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, Vol. I(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1973).Jaromir Malek, “King Merykare and His Pyramid,” inHommages à Jean Leclant, Volume IV. Ed. C. Berger(Cairo, Egypt: Institut français d’archéologie orientale,1994): 203–214.DOCUMENTARYSOURCESin PhilosophyAnonymous, The Dialogue of a Man with His Ba (c. 1938–1759 B.C.E.)—This philosophical text describes a mandebating suicide with his own soul. It gives a clear indicationof Egyptian belief in a soul and the consequencesof suicide. The text breaks off before the end so theresult is not clear.Anonymous, The Eloquent Peasant (c. 1938–1759 B.C.E.)—In this philosophical study, a corrupt official falselyimprisons a farmer. The farmer’s pleas for justiceamount to a treatise on maat (“right conduct”).Anonymous, Teachings for Merykare (c. 2130–1980 B.C.E.)—An unnamed king writes advice for his son, the futureking Merykare of the Tenth Dynasty. Perhaps the oldestof the royal instructions, it is directed to the enemyof the Theban family that reunited Egypt in the MiddleKingdom.Anonymous, The Teachings of a Man for his Son (c. 1938–1759 B.C.E.)—A man of lower station advises his son tobe loyal to the king in order to succeed in life. It is oneof the Egyptian philosophical texts that deals with issuesof loyalty and the importance of the king to his people.Attributed to Amenemhet I, The Teachings of Amenemhet(c. 1919–1875 B.C.E.)—Probably composed in thereign of Senwosret I, the ghost of Amenemhet I adviseshis son not to trust any courtiers. This is a good exampleof a royal philosophical teaching.Attributed to Amenemope, The Teachings of Amenemope(c. 1539–1075 B.C.E.)—Amenemope, a high agriculturalofficial, advises his son in this philosophical texton pursuing the way of truth as well as career advice.Attributed to Any, The Teachings of Any (c. 1539–1975B.C.E.)—Any, a low-level scribe, gives his son advice onmarriage, managing a household, and the virtuous life.This is the first example of philosophical teachings thatcame from a person who was not royalty and not ofhigh office.Attributed to Hordjedef, Teachings of Hordjedef (c. 1938–1759 B.C.E.)—Written in the Twelfth Dynasty but setin the Fourth Dynasty, Hordjedef offers practical advicefor career advancement. It is clearly a philosophicalteaching text, but not enough of the maxims includedin it survive to be clear on the message it holds.Attributed to Ipuwer, The Admonitions of Ipuwer (c. 1938–1759 B.C.E.)—Written in the Twelfth Dynasty but setin the preceding First Intermediate Period, the author202 Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.)