Ancient Egyptian literature : a book of readings. Volume I, The Old and Middle Kingdoms

First published in 1973 – and followed by Volume II in 1976 and Volume III in 1980 – this anthology has assumed classic status in the field of Egyptology and portrays the remarkable evolution of the literary forms of one of the world’s earliest civilizations. Volume I outlines the early and gradual evolution of Egyptian literary genres, including biographical and historical inscriptions carved on stone, the various classes of literary works written with pen on papyrus, and the mortuary literature that focuses on life after death. Introduced with a new foreword by Antonio Loprieno. Volume II shows the culmination of these literary genres within the single period known as the New Kingdom (1550-1080 B.C.). With a new foreword by Hans-W. Fischer-Elfert. Volume III spans the last millennium of Pharaonic civilization, from the tenth century B.C. to the beginning of the Christian era. With a new foreword by Joseph G. Manning. Content: Cover Contents Chronological Table Abbreviations and Symbols Foreword by Antonio Loprieno Introduction Literary Genres and Literary Styles PART ONE: The Old Kingdom I. Monumental Inscriptions from Private Tombs 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 II. A Royal Decree Charter of King Pepi I for the Chapel of his mother III. From the Pyramid Texts. Unas Pyramid Texts: Utterances 217, 239, 245, 253, 263, 270, 273-274, 304, 309, 317Teti Pyramid Texts: Utterances 337, 350, 373, 402, 403, 406,407 Pepi I Pyramid Texts: Utterances 432, 440, 442, 446, 454, 486, 517, 573 IV. A Theological Treatise "The Memphite Theology" V. Didactic Literature The Instruction of Prince Hardjedef The Instruction Addressed to Kagemni The Instruction of Ptahhotep 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 Mere of EdfuStela 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 II. The Prayers of a Theban King A Stela of King Wahankh Intef II III. The Testament of a Heracleopolitan King The Instruction Addressed to King Merikare PART THREE: The Middle Kingdom I. Monumental Inscriptions 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. II. A Spell from the Coffin TextsCT 1130 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 uf Ipuwer The Dispute between a Man and His Ba The Eloquent Peasant The Satire of the Trades IV. Songs and Hymns Three Harpers' Songs 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. Divinities. II. Kings and QueensIII. Personal Names IV. Geographical and Ethnical Terms V. Egyptian Words VI. Some Major Concepts. "First published in 1973 - and followed by Volume II in 1976 and Volume III in 1980 - this anthology has assumed classic status in the field of Egyptology and portrays the remarkable evolution of the literary forms of one of the world's earliest civilizations. Volume I outlines the early and gradual evolution of Egyptian literary genres, including biographical and historical inscriptions carved on stone, the various classes of literary works written with pen on papyrus, and the mortuary literature that focuses on life after death. Introduced with a new foreword by Antonio Loprieno. Volume II shows the culmination of these literary genres within the single period known as the New Kingdom (1550-1080 B.C.). With a new foreword by Hans-W. Fischer-Elfert. Volume III spans the last millennium of Pharaonic civilization, from the tenth century B.C. to the beginning of the Christian era. With a new foreword by Joseph G. Manning" -- Amazon.com. V. 1. The Old And Middle Kingdoms / With A New Foreword By Antonio Loprieno -- V. 2. The New Kingdom / With A New Foreword By Hans-w. Fischer-elfert -- V. 3. The Late Period / With A New Foreword By Joseph G. Manning. By Miriam Lichtheim. Previously Published In 1973 By University Of California Press. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Consisting of three volumes, this title outlines the gradual evolution of Egyptian literary genres, including biographical and historical inscriptions carved on stone and the various classes of literary works written with pen on papyrus. It also shows the culmination of these literary genres within the single period known as the New Kingdom.

Praise for the first editions:

"Concise, lucid, and altogether interesting . . ..The notes on the individual texts are unfailingly illuminating."—Books Abroad (now World Literature Today)