Through the Eras

Philosophylaments the social chaos around him. This is one of theEgyptian pessimistic writings and points to the philosophicalidea of the existence being either ordered orchaotic.Attributed to Kagemni, The Teachings of Kagemni (c. 1938–1759 C.E.)—Set in the reign of the Third-dynasty kingHuni but probably composed in the Twelfth Dynasty,only the end of this advice survives. Much like TheTeachings of Hordjedef, this text is clearly philosophical,but its tenets are unknown.Attributed to Khakheperre-sonb, The Complaints ofKhakheperre-sonb (c. 1938–1759 B.C.E.)—Written inthe Twelfth Dynasty, the author laments social conditionsbut mostly speaks of the difficulty of finding theright words to describe the situation. This is one of thefew surviving examples of Egyptian complaint literatureand speaks on the Egyptian philosophy of order as anecessary tenet to a proper society.Attributed to Khety, The Teachings of Khety (c. 1938–1759C.E.)—This Twelfth-dynasty text stresses the value ofeducation. It is one of the only surviving texts to speakphilosophically about education as a matter of pleasureinstead of as a necessity.Attributed to Neferty, The Prophecy of Neferty (c. 1938–1909 B.C.E.)—Probably composed in the reign of AmenemhetI, the prophecy is set in the reign of Sneferu nearly700 years earlier. The text describes a period of anarchyfollowed by peace restored by Amenemhet I. This text isphilosophically concerned not only with the necessity oforder, but of the connection between the king and maat.Attributed to Ptahhotep, The Teachings of Ptahhotep (c. 1938–1759 B.C.E.)—Written in the Twelfth Dynasty but set inthe Fifth Dynasty, the prime minister shares his wisdomgleaned from a long career. This is the most completeancient Egyptian teaching to survive and is the bestexample of a royal teaching.Attributed to Sehetepibre, The Teachings of Sehetepibre(c. 1938–1759 B.C.E.)—This philosophical text stressesloyalty to the king as the primary way of establishingjustice in the world.Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.) 203