Ramesside Egypt:Tales
Contenting of Horus and Seth• P. Chester Beaty I – Thebes during Ramesses V• “episodes concerning the struggle of Horus and Seth
for succession to the throne of Osiris within the frame of an endless litigation” ABD II p. 381• Originally separate tales
• The offending and reconciling of Re• The ruse of Isis in guise of a beautiful girl to have Seth
proclaim his own judgement• Horus and Seth combat as hippopotami• The binding and healing of Horus• The homosexual episode
Tale of Two Brothers• P. D’Orbiney – scribe Ennana (19th Dyn.)• Folk tale• Setting: village, valley of cedars, palace• False accusations are exposed and innocent vindicated• NB portrayal of pharaoh as unprincipled dallier with
wives, courtiers and appetites
• Anubis and Bata points to 17-18th Dynasty Upper Egypt• Resemblance to Joseph and Potiphar's wife
(Genesis 39)
Report of Wenamun• P. Moscow 120 – end of Dyn. 20? Dyn. 22?• MK precedents: Story of Sinuhe and Tale of the Shipwrecked
Sailor• “may be a true account” Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian
Literature II p. 197• Set during 21st Dynasty – “pretention and impotence of this
regime are most amusingly ridiculed by the diverse failures pf the hero to acquit himself of his commission.” (ABD II p. 381)• Reflects on theme of an Egyptian away from his homeland
and divine intentions
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