ramesside yr 12

1. Ramesside Egypt:
Tales

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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