Middle Egyptian Literature
Eight Literary Works of the Middle Kingdom

This volume provides original texts as well as translations of the major works of Middle Kingdom literature.

James P. Allen (Author)

9781107087439, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 December 2014

458 pages, 6 b/w illus. 1 map
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.78 kg

'This book gives the reader access to one of the true surviving treasures of ancient Egypt: Middle Kingdom literary texts, presented in their original wording. An essential companion for students and lovers of ancient literature.' Andréas Stauder, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris

A companion volume to the third edition of the author's popular Middle Egyptian, this book contains eight literary works from the Middle Kingdom, the golden age of Middle Egyptian literature. Included are the compositions widely regarded as the pinnacle of Egyptian literary arts, by the Egyptians themselves as well as by modern readers. The works are presented in hieroglyphic transcription, transliteration and translation, accompanied by notes cross-referenced to the third edition of Middle Egyptian. These are designed to give students of Middle Egyptian access to original texts and the tools to practise and perfect their knowledge of the language. The principles of ancient Egyptian verse, in which all the works are written, are discussed, and the transliterations and translations are versified, giving students practice in this aspect of Egyptian literature as well. Consecutive translations are also included for reference and for readers more concerned with Middle Egyptian literature than language.

Introduction
Text 1. The Story of the Shipwrecked Sailor
Text 2. The Story of Sinuhe
Text 3. The Loyalist Instruction
Text 4. The Instructions of Kagemni's Father and Ptahhotep
Text 5. The Discourses of the Eloquent Peasant
Text 6. The Debate between a Man and his Soul
Text 7. The Herdsman's Tale
Text 8. Hymns to Senwosret III.

Subject Areas: Egyptian archaeology / Egyptology [HDDG], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB], Linguistics [CF]