Instructions of Kagemni

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The Instructions of Kagemni is an

Old Kingdom
).

Dating

The complete hieratic text of the Instructions of Kagemni, as found on the Prisse Papyrus.

The earliest known source for the Instructions of Kagemni is the

Middle Egyptian language and in an archaic style of cursive hieratic.[3]

Content

Only the end of this teaching text has survived; on the Prisse Papyrus, it is followed by the complete version of

Ramesside-era Eulogy of Dead Writers (Papyrus Chester Beatty IV).[6] Although the authorship of the text is attributed to Kagemni, it was common for ancient Egyptian wisdom texts to be falsely attributed to prestigious historical figures of much earlier times.[7]

Written as a pragmatic guidebook of advice for the son of a vizier, the Instructions of Kagemni is similar to The Maxims of Ptahhotep. It differs from later teaching texts such as the

professor emeritus of Egyptology at Yale University) described as a "political piece cast in instruction form."[8] Kagemni advises that one should follow a path of modesty and moderation, which is contrasted with things to avoid: pride and gluttony.[9] In Kagemni, the "silent man" who is modest, calm, and practices self-control is seen as the most virtuous; this type of person is later contrasted with his polar opposite, the "heated man", in Amenemope.[10] According to Miriam Lichtheim, the virtuous "silent man" first described in Kagemni "was destined for a major role in Egyptian morality."[11]

Notes

  1. ^ Lichtheim (1996), p. 244.
  2. ^ Simpson (1972), p. 177; Parkinson (2002), pp. 46, 50, 313.
  3. ^ a b Parkinson (2002), pp. 46, 50, 313.
  4. ^ Simpson (1972), p. 177; Parkinson (2002), p. 313-315.
  5. ^ a b Parkinson (2002), p. 313.
  6. ^ Simpson (1972), p. 177; Parkinson (2002), p. 313.
  7. ^ Parkinson (2002), pp. 75-76; Lichtheim (1996), p. 244.
  8. ^ Simpson (1972), pp. 6, 177.
  9. ^ Lichtheim (1996), pp. 244-245.
  10. ^ Lichtheim (1996), p. 258.
  11. ^ Lichtheim (1996), p. 245.

References

  • Lichtheim, Miriam. (1996). "Didactic literature" in Ancient Egyptian Literature: History & Forms. Edited by Antonio Loprieno. Leiden: E.J. Brill.
    ISBN 90-04-09925-5
    .
  • Parkinson, R.B. (2002). Poetry and Culture in Middle Kingdom Egypt: A Dark Side to Perfection. London: Continuum.
    ISBN 0-8264-5637-5
    .
  • Simpson, William Kelly. (1972). The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, and Poetry. Edited by William Kelly Simpson. Translations by R.O. Faulkner, Edward F. Wente, Jr., and William Kelly Simpson. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
    ISBN 0-300-01482-1
    .
  • Battiscombe Gunn. (1906), "THE WISDOM OF THE EAST, THE INSTRUCTION OF PTAH-HOTEP AND THE INSTRUCTION OF KE'GEMNI: THE OLDEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD", LONDON, JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, 1906, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/30508/30508-h/30508-h.htm

Further reading

External links
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