Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Literature

Vyuujc: Dr. A. Spalinger

Atestace: Z
Because this theme is a vast one that can be dependent upon too many literature
pieces, a good approach is to tackle the various genres, or subgenres that the ancient
Egyptian employed. Moreover, such an approach can allow us to avoid reading a
sizeable number of compositions but, at the same time, open analysis with
methodological principles. This is my intention here, and I have arranged the lectures
to follow not specific historical pattern until the very end when I discuss certain key
pieces written in demotic. By and large, therefore, each lecture assumes very little
except a wish that the key secondary research associate with Egyptian literature is
read. Hence, I have not chosen one volume of translations or even a group of
collected literary sources but, instead, have moved to the major questions that need to
be asked, or at least proposed, concerning this vast material.
There is also included an Introductory Bibliography. This two page section
will no doubt be of prime importance in these discussions. If there are nay questions
please ask them when the presentation becomes either too complicated or assumed a
large amount of secondary literature on your part.
General literature:
All of the following studies will be referred to later in the lecture handouts.
Furthermore, the reader will find additional comments on these works therein.
Gnter Burkard and Heinz J. Thissen, Einfhrung in die altgyptische Literaturgeschichte I: Altes und Mittleres Reich, and II: Neues Reiches (Berlin; LIT Verlag;
2003-08). These works are extremely conservative and descriptive, and lack
challenging ideas and concepts. But they are highly useful for the beginner.
Kenneth A. Kitchen, The Basic Literary Forms and Formulations of Ancient
Instructional Writings in Egypt and Western Asia, in Erik Hornung and Othmar Keel
(eds.), Studien zu altgyptischen Lebenslehre (Freiburg and Gttingen: Universituats
Verlag and Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht; 1979), 235-82. This is an excellent survey, but
a detailed one, of Near Eastern Wisdom Literature. It is conservative.
_______________, Poetry of Ancient Egypt (Jonsered: Paul Astrms; 1999). His
approach is practical and definitely opposed to the new methodologies, presently
current. However, his introduction is of great importance for an understanding of
Egyptian poetics.
Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature volumes 1-3 (Berkeley, Los Angeles,
and London: University of California Press; 1975-80). Her editions easily eliminated
the Simpson edited volume, and still do, despite the issuing of a third edition to the
last.
_______________, Late Egyptian Wisdom Literature in the International Context: A
Study of Demotic Instructions (Freiburg and Gttingen: Universittsverlag and
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht; 1983).

Antonio Loprieno (ed.), Ancient Egyptian Literature: History and Forms (Leiden,
New York, and Cologne: Brill; 1996. This was the study that truly brought together
the theoretical aspects of Egyptian literature into the purview of all Egyptologists,
whether anyone wanted these interpretations or not.
_______________, Topos und Mimesis: zum Auslnder in der gyptischen Literatur
(Wiesbaden: Harassowitz; 1988). His earlier work dealing with reality in ancient
Egyptian fiction and life.
Gerald Moers, Fingierte Welten in der gyptischen Literatur des 2. Jahrtausends v.
Chr.: Grenzberschreitung, Reisemotiv und Fiktionalitt (Leiden and Boston: Brill;
2001). A full discussion of travel and the exotic in Egyptian literature.
Richard B. Parkinson, Poetry and Culture in Middle Kingdom Egypt: A Dark Side to
Perfection (London and New York: Continuum; 2002). This is the earlier study by
Parkinson. Read it in contrast to Qurike (below).
_______________, Reading Ancient Egyptian Poetry: among Other Histories (Chicester and Malden: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009). This work appears very individualistic at
first, and perhaps one may overlook, if not excuse, the opening chapters. Thereafter, it
alters and become a strenuous modern attempt in interpretation the whole discourse of
Egyptian literature.
Georges Posener, Littrature et politique dans lgypte de la XIIe Dynastie (Paris:
Champion; 1956). This is the Classic work on propaganda and literature.
Joachim Quack, Einfrhung in die altgyptische Literaturgeschichte III: die demotische und grko-gyptische Literatur (Mnster: LIT Verlag; 2005). This is the
general detailed summary of demotic literature.
Stephen Quirke, Egyptian Literature 1800BC: Questions and Readings (London:
Golden House; 2004). Quirkes contribution is more real than Parkinsons effort,
but it is somewhat sketchy. His translations are excellent.
William Kelly Simpson, The Literature of Ancient Egypt2 (New Haven and London:
Yale University Press; 1973). The third edition, with texts translated by Robert
Rittner, was published in 2003.
Pascal Vernus, Littrature, littraire et supports dcriture. Contribution une
thorie de la littrature dans lgypte pharaonique, Egyptian & Egyptological
Documents, Archives & Libraries 11 (2010/2011): 20-145. The study is independent
of the authors above and should be read in its own context.