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