The admonitions of Ipuwer
It is impossible to give a date for the composition of this document. The surviving papyrus (Papyrus Leiden 334) itself is a copy made during the New Kingdom. Ipuwer is generally supposed to have lived during the Middle Kingdom or the Second Intermediate Period, and the catastrophes he bewails to have taken place four centuries earlier during the First Intermediate Period.On the other hand, Miriam Lichtheim, following S. Luria, contends that
the 'Admonitions of Ipuwer' has not only no bearing whatever on the long past First Intermediate Period, it also does not derive from any other historical situation. It is the last, fullest, most exaggerated and hence least successful, composition on the theme "order versus chaos."M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume I, p.150
Fringe historians often compare the content of this papyrus with Exodus, the second book of the Bible [1]. Similarities between Egyptian texts and the Bible are easily found, and it is reasonable to assume Egyptian influence on the Hebrews, given their at times close contacts. But to conclude from such parallelisms that the Ipuwer Papyrus describes Egypt at the time of the Exodus, requires a leap of faith not everybody is willing to make.
Lacunae in the papyrus text are marked by [...].
I
The confectioners [. . .].
The washerman refuses to carry his load [. . .]
The bird [catchers] have drawn up in line of battle [. . . the inhabitants] of the Delta carry shields.
The brewers [. . .] sad.
A man regards his son as his enemy. Confusion [. . .] another. Come and conquer; judge [. . .] what was ordained for you in the time of Horus, in the age [of the Ennead . . .]. The virtuous man goes in mourning because of what has happened in the land [. . .] goes [. . .] the tribes of the desert have become Egyptians everywhere.
Indeed, the face is pale; [. . .] what the ancestors foretold has arrived at [fruition . . .] the land is full of confederates, and a man goes to plough with his shield.
Indeed, the meek say: ["He who is . . . of] face is as a well-born man."
Indeed, [the face] is pale; the bowman is ready, wrongdoing is everywhere, and there is no man of yesterday.
Indeed, the plunderer [. . .] everywhere, and the servant takes what he finds.
Indeed, the Nile overflows, yet none plough for it. Everyone says: "We do not know what will happen throughout the land."
Indeed, the women are barren and none conceive. Khnum fashions (men) no more because of the condition of the land.
the
Nile overflows, yet none plough for it: The collapse of the Old Kingdom
civilisation is generally attributed to a repeated failure of the Nile to
inundate the flood plain. A few consecutive crop failures can result in
many subsequent years of suffering, as all the grain that is grown and which
is to serve as seed, will be consumed as food.II
Indeed, men's slaves, their hearts are sad, and magistrates do not fraternize with their people when they shout.
Indeed, [hearts] are violent, pestilence is throughout the land, blood is everywhere, death is not lacking, and the mummy-cloth speaks even before one comes near it.
Indeed, many dead are buried in the river; the stream is a sepulcher and the place of embalmment has become a stream.
Indeed, noblemen are in distress, while the poor man is full of joy. Every town says: "Let us suppress the powerful among us."
Indeed, men are like ibises. Squalor is throughout the land, and there are none indeed whose clothes are white in these times.
Indeed, the land turns around as does a potter's wheel; the robber is a possessor of riches and [the rich man is become] a plunderer.
Indeed, trusty servants are [. . .]; the poor man [complains]: "How terrible! What am I to do?"
Indeed, the river is blood, yet men drink of it. Men shrink from human beings and thirst after water.
Indeed, gates, columns and walls are burnt up, while the hall of the palace stands firm and endures.
Indeed, the ship of [the southerners] has broken up; towns are destroyed and Upper Egypt has become an empty waste.
Indeed, crocodiles [are glutted] with the fish they have taken, for men go to them of their own accord; it is the destruction of the land. Men say: "Do not walk here; behold, it is a net." Behold, men tread [the water] like fishes, and the frightened man cannot distinguish it because of terror.
Indeed, men are few, and he who places his brother in the ground is everywhere. When the wise man speaks, [he flees without delay].
Indeed, the well-born man [. . .] through lack of recognition, and the child of his lady has become the son of his maidservant.
sad:
Lichtheim: greedyLet us suppress the
powerful among us: John A.Wilson: Let us banish many from us.
Lichtheim: Let us expel our rulers.
Ibis
Indeed, the river is
blood, yet men drink of it. Men shrink from human beings and thirst after
water: Why really, the River is blood. If one drinks of it, one rejects
(it) as human and thirsts for water. (Wilson)gates, columns and
walls are burnt up: doors, columns, and floor planks are burned up (Wilson)crocodiles [are glutted]
with the fish they have taken, for men go to them of their own accord:
crocodiles [sink] down because of what they have carried off, (for) men
go to them of their own accord. (Wilson)When the wise man speaks,
[he flees without delay]: Lichtheim: "The word of the wise has fled
without delay".III
Indeed, men arrive [. . .] and indeed, there are no Egyptians anywhere.
Indeed, gold and lapis lazuli, silver and turquoise, carnelian and amethyst, Ibhet-stone and [. . .] are strung on the necks of maidservants. Good things are throughout the land, (yet) housewives say: "Oh that we had something to eat!"
Indeed, [. . .] noblewomen. Their bodies are in sad plight by reason of their rags, and their hearts sink when greeting [one another]. Indeed, chests of ebony are broken up, and precious ssnDm-wood is cleft asunder in beds [. . .].
Indeed, the builders [of pyramids have become] cultivators, and those who were in the sacred bark are now yoked [to it]. None shall indeed sail northward to Byblos today; what shall we do for cedar trees for our mummies, and with the produce of which priests are buried and with the oil of which [chiefs] are embalmed as far as Keftiu? They come no more; gold is lacking [. . .] and materials for every kind of craft have come to an end. The [. . .] of the palace is despoiled. How often do people of the oases come with their festival spices, mats, and skins, with fresh rdmt-plants, grease of birds . . . ?
Indeed, Elephantine and Thinis [...] of Upper Egypt, (but) without paying taxes owing to civil strife. Lacking are grain, charcoal, irtyw-fruit, m'w-wood, nwt-wood, and brushwood. The work of craftsmen and [. . .] are the profit of the palace. To what purpose is a treasury without its revenues? Happy indeed is the heart of the king when truth comes to him! And every foreign land [comes]! That is our fate and that is our happiness! What can we do about it? All is ruin!
Indeed, laughter is perished and is [no longer] made; it is groaning that is throughout the land, mingled with complaints.
barbarians
: Lichtheim: Foreign bowmen. Egyptians saw themselves as the pinnacle
of creation: their land was The Land, their people were The People. In this
their attitude was similar to that of other ancient (and not so ancient)
peoples.from abroad have come
to Egypt: Times of weak central power opened opportunities for foreigners
to infiltrate the country in even larger numbers than ordinarily: The Nubian
Medjay during the First Intermediate Period, the Hyksos during the Second.
Still, they probably numbered in the thousands rather than in the hundred
thousands.Egyptians: people
(Wilson)lapis lazuli: Much
coveted blue stone, imported from Asia.Byblos: This city
on the Lebanese coast supplied cedar wood to the Egyptians since the Old
Kingdom at least.Keftiu: Often identified
as Crete.The work of craftsmen
and [. . .] are the profit of the palace: Lichtheim: The output of
craftsmen is lacking ---truth: Lichtheim:
giftsIV
Indeed, hair [has fallen out] for everybody, and the man of rank can no longer be distinguished from him who is nobody.
Indeed, [. . .] because of noise; noise is not [. . .] in years of noise, and there is no end [of] noise.
Indeed, great and small [say]: "I wish I might die." Little children say: "He should not have caused [me] to live."
Indeed, the children of princes are dashed against walls, and the children of the neck are laid out on the high ground.
Indeed, those who were in the place of embalmment are laid out on the high ground, and the secrets of the embalmers are thrown down because of it.
Indeed, that has perished which yesterday was seen, and the land is left over to its weakness like the cutting of flax.
Indeed, the Delta in its entirety will not be hidden, and Lower Egypt puts trust in trodden roads. What can one do? No [. . .] exist anywhere, and men say: "Perdition to the secret place!" Behold, it is in the hands of those who do not know it like those who know it. The desert dwellers are skilled in the crafts of the Delta.
Indeed, citizens are put to the corn-rubbers, and those who used to don fine linen are beaten with . . . Those who used never to see the day have gone out unhindered; those who were on their husbands' beds, let them lie on rafts. I say: "It is too heavy for me," concerning rafts bearing myrrh. Load them with vessels filled with [. . . Let] them know the palanquin. As for the butler, he is ruined. There are no remedies for it; noblewomen suffer like maidservants, minstrels are at the looms within the weaving-rooms, and what they sing to the Songstress-goddess is mourning. Talkers [. . .] corn-rubbers.
Indeed, all female slaves are free with their tongues, and when their mistress speaks, it is irksome to the maidservants.
Indeed, trees are felled and branches are stripped off.
Indeed,
every dead person is as a well-born man. Those who were Egyptians [have
become] foreigners and are thrust aside.: Lichtheim: Those who were
people are strangers whom one shows the way....the children of
the neck (i.e. holding onto the neck of the carrying grown-up): The
(once) prayed-for children (Wilson)on the high ground:
burial ground above the flood plain. were in the place of
embalmment: Lichtheim: were entombed crafts: work (Wilson)corn-rubbers: Lichtheim:
grindstonesrafts: Lichtheim:
BoardsLoad them with vessels
filled with [. . . Let] them know the palanquin.: Lichtheim: She
is loaded down with jars filled with ---. [No longer] does she know the
palanquin, trees are felled and
branches are stripped off: the wholesale destruction of trees causes
serious fuel problems, as witnessed nowadays in the Sahel region of sub-saharan
AfricaV
Indeed, magnates are hungry and perishing, followers are followed [. . .] because of complaints.
Indeed, the hot-tempered man says: "If I knew where God is, then I would serve Him."
Indeed, [Right] pervades the land in name, but what men do in trusting to it is Wrong.
Indeed, runners are fighting over the spoil [of ] the robber, and all his property is carried off.
Indeed, all animals, their hearts weep; cattle moan because of the state of the land.
Indeed, the children of princes are dashed against walls, and the children of the neck are laid out on the high ground. Khnum groans because of his weariness.
Indeed, terror kills; the frightened man opposes what is done against your enemies. Moreover, the few are pleased, while the rest are . . . Is it by following the crocodile and cleaving it asunder? Is it by slaying the lion roasted on the fire? [Is it] by sprinkling for Ptah and taking [. . .]? Why do you give to him? There is no reaching him. It is misery which you give to him.
Indeed, slaves . . . throughout the land, and the strong man sends to everyone; a man strikes his maternal brother. What is it that has been done? I speak to a ruined man.
Indeed, the ways are [. . .], the roads are watched; men sit in the bushes until the benighted traveler comes in order to plunder his burden, and what is upon him is taken away. He is belabored with blows of a stick and murdered.
Indeed, that has perished which yesterday was seen, and the land is left over to its weakness like the cutting of flax, commoners coming and going in dissolution [. . .].
I
have separated him and his household slaves: Lichtheim: And the servant
abandons his householdCakes are lacking for
most children: Lichtheim: Gone is the gain of abundance of children.If I knew where God
is, then I would serve Him: implying that he doesn't do so now.runners are fighting
over the spoil [of ] the robber: Lichtheim: one runs and fights
for the goods [of a man]. He is robbed;the ways are [. . .],
the roads are watched: the ways [are not] guarded roads (Wilson)VI
Indeed, [men eat] herbage and wash [it] down with water; neither fruit nor herbage can be found [for] the birds, and [. . .] is taken away from the mouth of the pig. No face is bright which you have [. . .] for me through hunger.
Indeed, everywhere barley has perished and men are stripped of clothes, spice, and oil; everyone says: "There is none." The storehouse is empty and its keeper is stretched on the ground; a happy state of affairs! . . .
Would that I had raised my voice at that moment, that it might have saved me from the pain in which I am.
Indeed, the private council-chamber, its writings are taken away and the mysteries which were [in it] are laid bare.
Indeed, magic spells are divulged; smw- and shnw-spells are frustrated because they are remembered by men.
Indeed, public offices are opened and their inventories are taken away; the serf has become an owner of serfs.
Indeed, [scribes] are killed and their writings are taken away. Woe is me because of the misery of this time!
Indeed, the writings of the scribes of the cadaster are destroyed, and the corn of Egypt is common property.
Indeed, the laws of the council chamber are thrown out; indeed, men walk on them in public places, and poor men break them up in the streets.
Indeed, the poor man has attained to the state of the Nine Gods, and the erstwhile procedure of the House of the Thirty is divulged.
Indeed, the great council-chamber is a popular resort, and poor men come and go to the Great Mansions.
Indeed, the children of magnates are ejected into the streets; the wise man agrees and the fool says "no," and it is pleasing in the sight of him who knows nothing about it.
Indeed, those who were in the place of embalmment are laid out on the high ground, and the secrets of the embalmers are thrown down because of it.
spice,
and oil: Lichtheim: Unanointed with oilthe private council-chamber,
its writings are taken away and the mysteries which were [in it] are laid
bare the writings of the augurs enclosure are read. The place of secrets
which was (so formerly) is (now) laid bare (Wilson)magic spells are divulged:
Anybody who knew magic spells could use them, though overuse seems to have
made them ineffective. (Magic has always
shunned the light of day and becomes ineffectual when scrutinized with a
critical mind. Strangely, this has never prevented people from believing
in it).smw- and shnw
spells: Go-spells and Enfold-spells (Wilson)because they are remembered:
Lichtheim: through being repeated the corn of Egypt
is common property: Wilson: The grain-sustenance of Egypt is (now)
a come-and-get-it.Corn in the ancient Egyptian context refers to wheat and/or barley. The storage of surplus grain and its redistribution was one of the corner stones of the Egyptian economy. Egypt was not a welfare state, distributing free grain.
has attained to the
state of: Lichtheim: comes to the place Nine Gods: The
ennead, the totality of the gods of a locality, not necessarily amounting
to exactly nine gods.House of Thirty:
Tribunal, cf. Hail Eater of entrails who came forth from the House of
Thirty, I have not committed perjury. from the Book of the Dead transl.
by Allen and Faulknerthe children of magnates
are ejected into the streets: Lichtheim: there is much hatred in
the streetsVII
Behold, things have been done which have not happened for a long time past; the king has been deposed by the rabble.
Behold, he who was buried as a falcon [is devoid] of biers, and what the pyramid concealed has become empty.
Behold, it has befallen that the land has been deprived of the kingship by a few lawless men.
Behold, men have fallen into rebellion against the Uraeus, the [. . .] of Re, even she who makes the Two Lands content.
Behold, the secret of the land whose limits were unknown is divulged, and the Residence is thrown down in a moment.
Behold, Egypt is fallen to pouring of water, and he who poured water on the ground has carried off the strong man in misery.
Behold, the Serpent is taken from its hole, and the secrets of the Kings of Upper and Lower Egypt are divulged.
Behold, the Residence is afraid because of want, and [men go about] unopposed to stir up strife.
Behold, the land has knotted itself up with confederacies, and the coward takes the brave man's property.
Behold, the Serpent [. . .] the dead: he who could not make a sarcophagus for himself is now the possessor of a tomb.
Behold, the possessors of tombs are ejected on to the high ground, while he who could not make a coffin for himself is now [the possessor] of a treasury.
Behold, this has happened [to] men; he who could not build a room for himself is now a possessor of walls.
Behold, the magistrates of the land are driven out throughout the land: [. . .] are driven out from the palaces.
deposed
by the rabble: Lichtheim: robbed by beggarsFalcon: the pharaoh,
son of Horuspyramid: pyramids
were built from the third dynasty to the Middle Kingdom.lawless men: Lichtheim:
people who ignore custom. Essentially, Egyptian law
was customary law.Uraeus: The snake
symbol of the ruler, worn on pharaonic headdresses.the [. . .] of Re:
Lichtheim: Stolen] is the crown of ReSerpent: Wilson:
(guardian-)serpenthe who could not build
a room for himself is now a possessor of walls: Lichtheim: He who
did not build a hut is an owner of coffers.Behold, the possessor of wealth now spends the night thirsty, while he who once begged his dregs for himself is now the possessor of overflowing bowls.
Behold, the possessors of robes are now in rags, while he who could not weave for himself is now a possessor of fine linen.
Behold, he who could not build a boat for himself is now the possessor of a fleet; their erstwhile owner looks at them, but they are not his.
Behold, he who had no shade is now the possessor of shade, while the erstwhile possessors of shade are now in the full blast of the storm.
Behold, he who was ignorant of the lyre is now the possessor of a harp, while he who never sang for himself now vaunts the Songstress-goddess.
Behold, those who possessed vessel-stands of copper [. . .] not one of the jars thereof has been adorned.
Behold,
noble ladies are now on rafts, and magnates are in the labor establishment,
while he who could not sleep even on walls is now the possessor of a bed:
Wilson: Behold, nobles' ladies are (now) gleaners, and nobles are in
the workhouse. (But) he who never (even) slept on a plank is (now) the owner
of a bed.Bedsteads were expensive furniture. Most people would have slept on the floor.
shade: Lichtheim:
shelterSongstress-goddess:
goddess of music (Wilson)vessel-stands:
Most vessels had rounded bottoms and were placed on circular vessel-stands
to prevent them from falling over. Lichtheim:offering-tables
Limestone pot stand, 12th dynasty.
Source: Petrie Museum website
VIII
Behold, he who had no property is now a possessor of wealth, and the magnate praises him.
Behold, the poor of the land have become rich, and the [erstwhile owner] of property is one who has nothing.
Behold, serving-men have become masters of butlers, and he who was once a messenger now sends someone else.
Behold, he who had no loaf is now the owner of a barn, and his storehouse is provided with the goods of another.
Behold, he whose hair is fallen out and who had no oil has now become the possessors of jars of sweet myrrh.
Behold, she who had no box is now the owner of a coffer, and she who had to look at her face in the water is now the owner of a mirror.
Behold, [. . .].
Behold, a man is happy eating his food. Consume your goods in gladness and unhindered, for it is good for a man to eat his food; God commands it for him whom He has favored [. . .].
[Behold, he who did not know] his god now offers to him with incense of another [who is] not known [to him].
[Behold,] great ladies, once possessors of riches, now give their children for beds.
Behold, a man [to whom is given] a noble lady as wife, her father protects him, and he who has not [. . .] killing him.
Behold, the children of magistrates are [ . . . the calves] of cattle [are given over] to the plunderers.
wifeless
through want: Founding a household, which seems to have been almost
synonymous with getting married required a modicum of wealth.riches: Lichtheim:
noblewomanthe poor of the land
have become rich: In reality the poor do not become rich during social
upheaval.serving-men: Lichtheim:
cooksBehold, he who could not slaughter for himself now slaughters bulls, and he who did not know how to carve now sees [. . .].
Behold, priests transgress with geese, which are given [to] the gods instead of oxen.
Behold, maidservants [. . .] offer ducks; noblewomen [. . .].
Behold, noblewomen flee; the overseers of [. . .] and their [children] are cast down through fear of death.
[Behold,] the chiefs of the land flee; there is no purpose for them because of want. The lord of [. . .].
priests
transgress with the cattle of the poor [. . .].: Lichtheim: the serfs
eat beef, The paupers ------ priests transgress:
Lichtheim: serfs eatgeese, which are given
[to] the gods instead of oxen: Shortchanging and stealing from the gods
was a mortal sin. I have not purloined offerings (Negative
confessions)IX
Behold, noblewomen go hungry, while the priests are sated with what has been prepared for them.
Behold, no offices are in their right place, like a herd running at random without a herdsman.
Behold, cattle stray and there is none to collect them, but everyone fetches for himself those that are branded with his name.
Behold, a man is slain beside his brother, who runs away and abandons him to save his own skin.
Behold, he who had no yoke of oxen is now the owner of a herd, and he who could find for himself no ploughman is now the owner of cattle.
Behold, he who had no grain is now the owner of granaries, and he who had to fetch loan-corn for himself is now one who issues it.
Behold, he who had no dependents is now an owner of serfs, and he who was [a magnate] now performs his own errands.
Behold, the strong men of the land, the condition of the people is not reported [to them]. All is ruin!
Behold, no craftsmen work, for the enemies of the land have impoverished its craftsmen.
[Behold, he who once recorded] the harvest now knows nothing about it, while he who never ploughed [for himself is now the owner of corn; the reaping] takes place but is not reported. The scribe [sits in his office], but his hands [are idle] in it.
Destroyed is [. . .] in that time, and a man looks [on his friend as] an adversary. The infirm man brings coolness [to what is hot . . .] fear [. . .. . .]. Poor men [. . . the land] is not bright because of it.
priests:
king's men (Wilson)everyone fetches for
himself those that are branded with his name: Wilson: Every man takes
for himself and brands (them) with his name.X
Destroyed is the doing of that for which men are sent by retainers in the service of their masters; they have no readiness.
Behold, they are five men, and they say: "Go on the road you know, for we have arrived."
Lower Egypt weeps; the king's storehouse is the common property of everyone, and the entire palace is without its revenues. To it belong emmer and barley, fowl and fish; to it belong white cloth and fine linen, copper and oil; to it belong carpet and mat, [. . .] flowers and wheat-sheaf and all good revenues . . . If the . . . it in the palace were delayed, men would be devoid [of . . .].
Destroy the enemies of the august Residence, splendid of magistrates [. . .] in it like [. . .]; indeed, the Governor of the City goes unescorted.
Destroy [the enemies of the august Residence,] splendid [. . .]. [Destroy the enemies of] that erstwhile august Residence, manifold of laws [. . .]. [Destroy the enemies of] that erstwhile august [Residence . . .].
Destroy the enemies of that erstwhile august Residence [. . .] none can stand [. . .].
Destroy the enemies of that erstwhile august Residence, manifold of offices; indeed [. . .].
Remember to immerse [. . .] him who is in pain when he is sick in his body; show respect [. . .] because of his god that he may guard the utterance [. . .] his children who are witnesses of the surging of the flood.
XI
Remember [to bring] fat r-geese, trp-geese, and ducks and to offer god's offerings to the gods.
Remember to chew natron and to prepare white bread; a man [should do it] on the day of wetting the head.
Remember to erect flagstaffs and to carve offering stones, the priest cleansing the chapels and the temple being plastered (white) like milk; to make pleasant the odor of the horizon and to provide bread-offerings.
Remember to observe regulations, to fix dates correctly, and to remove him who enters on the priestly office in impurity of body, for that is doing it wrongfully, it is destruction of the heart [. . .] the day which precedes eternity, the months [. . .] years are known.
Remember to slaughter oxen [. . .].
Remember to go forth purged [. . .] who calls to you; to put r-geese on the fire [. . .] to open the jar [. . .] the shore of the waters [. . .] of women [. . .] clothing [. . .. . .] to give praise . . . in order to appease you.
[. . .] lack of people; come [. . .] Re who commands [. . .] worshipping him [. . .] West until [. . .] are diminished [. . .].
Behold, why does he seek to fashion [men . . .]? The frightened man is not distinguished from the violent one.
Remember:
The things to remember are the duties of the priests, first among them the
pharaoh as High Priest, to their gods. In accordance with the magical thinking
of the day (and which still persists among many believers) the meticulous
fulfilment of duties brings with it the favour of the gods and thus the
well-being of the pious.ducks: sat-geese
(Wilson)natron: used for
cleaning teeth, cf. Personal
hygiene and cosmeticshorizon: Lichtheim:
sanctuaryimpurity of body:
Priest had to observe a number of rules, like removing hair, wearing white
sandals made of reeds etc.he: the creator
godXII
Would that he had perceived their nature in the first generation; then he would have imposed obstacles, he would have stretched out his arm against them, he would have destroyed their herds and their heritage. Men desire the giving of birth, but sadness supervenes, with needy people on all sides. So it is, and it will not pass away while the gods who are in the midst of it exist. Seed goes forth into mortal women, but none are found on the road.
Combat has gone forth, and he who should be a redresser of evils is one who commits them; neither do men act as pilot in their hour of duty. Where is he today? Is he asleep? Behold, his power is not seen.
If we had been fed, I would not have found you, I would not have been summoned in vain; "Aggression against it means pain of heart" is a saying on the lips of everyone. Today he who is afraid . . . a myriad of people; [. . .] did not see [. . .] against the enemies of [. . .] at his outer chamber; who enter the temple [. . .] weeping for him [. . .] that one who confounds what he has said . . . The land has not fallen [. . .] the statues are burned and their tombs destroyed [. . .] he sees the day of [. . .]. He who could not make for himself [. . .] between sky and ground is afraid of everybody.
. . . if he does it . . . what you dislike taking.
Authority, knowledge, and truth are with you, yet confusion is what you set throughout the land, also the noise of tumult. Behold, one deals harm to another, for men conform to what you have commanded. If three men travel on the road, they are found to be only two, for the many kill the few.
herdsman:
The metaphor of divine herdsman or shepherd is frequently used in Egyptian
literature.their nature: The
evil in man was either unintentional or it came into being shortly after
creation.their herds: Wilson:
the seed thereof. Re would have destroyed his flawed creation had
he known at the beginning. heritage: Lichtheim:
heirsXIII
When men send a servant for humble folk, he goes on the road until he sees the flood; the road is washed out and he stands worried. What is on him is taken away, he is belabored with blows of a stick and wrongfully slain. Oh that you could taste a little of the misery of it! Then you would say [. . .] from someone else as a wall, over and above [. . .] hot . . . years . . . [. . .].
[It is indeed good] when ships fare upstream [. . . . . .] robbing them.
It is indeed good [. . .]. [It is indeed] good when the net is drawn in and birds are tied up [. . .].
It is [indeed] good [. . .] dignities for them, and the roads are passable.
It is indeed good when the hands of men build pyramids, when ponds are dug and plantations of the trees of the gods are made.
It is indeed good when men are drunk; they drink myt and their hearts are happy.
that
their existences are few: Lichtheim: reducing their numbers Is he brave and saves
himself? It means he will live: Lichtheim: . If he is brave he may
save himself. Such is his life! net is drawn in and
birds are tied up: Bird
netting was to some a leisure activity, to others a necessity.build pyramids:
an activity which had completely ceased by the New Kingdom.XIV
It is indeed good when beds are prepared and the headrests of magistrates are safely secured. Every man's need is satisfied with a couch in the shade, and a door is now shut on him who once slept in the bushes.
It is indeed good when fine linen is spread out on New Year's Day [. . .] on the bank; when fine linen is spread out and cloaks are on the ground. The overseer of [. . .] the trees, the poor [. . .. . .] in their midst like Asiatics [. . .]. Men [. . .] the state thereof; they have come to an end of themselves; none can be found to stand up and protect themselves [. . .].
Everyone fights for his sister and saves his own skin. Is it Nubians? Then will we guard ourselves; warriors are made many in order to ward off foreigners. Is it Libyans? Then we will turn away. The Medjay are pleased with Egypt.
well-provided
within: firm-bellied (Wilson)The Medjay are pleased
with Egypt: The Madjoi fortunately are with Egypt. (Wilson); The Medjai
are content with Egypt." (Lichtheim)XV
foreigners
and have taken to ravaging: Wilson: barbarians, beginning to destroy
that from which they took their being. Foreigners
were seen as agents of chaos.What the plebs have
tasted [. . .] without giving Egypt over [to] the sand: Lichtheim: The
experience of the people is that they say: "Egypt will not be given over
<to> sand!" XVI
That is how a man grows old before he dies, while his son is a lad of understanding; he does not open [his] mouth to speak to you, but you seize him in the doom of death [. . .] weep [. . .] go [. . .] after you, that the land may be [. . .] on every side.
XVII
[1] Influenced by the revisionist historians of the second half of the 20th century who could not find any archaeological proofs for the historicity of the earlier Bible stories, their value as historical records came to be doubted. Before that time most Egyptologists, having grown up in the Christian West, accepted these accounts as being, at least in part, historically correct.