Instructions of Amenemhat
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Instructions of Amenemhat (aka "Teaching of King Ammenemes I to His Son Sesostris") is a short Egyptian poem written during the early Middle Kingdom. The poem takes the form of an intensely dramatic monologue delivered by the ghost of the murdered 12th Dynasty pharaoh Amenemhat I to his son Senusret I. The poem describes the harem conspiracy that killed Amenemhat, and enjoins his son to trust no-one. The poem forms a kind of apologia of the deeds of the old king's reign. It ends with an exhortation to Senusret to ascend the throne and rule wisely in Amenemhat's stead.
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[edit] Authorship
It may have been authored at Senusret's command to eulogize his father and legitimize his claim to the throne. Several centuries later, in the New Kingdom, the authorship of the poem was attributed to an otherwise unknown figure called Khety.
The principal source of this document comes from the Papyrus Millingen which was copied by A. Peyron in 1843. The original is now lost. This manuscript is dated by its handwriting to the second half of the Eighteenth Dynasty.
[edit] Content
- It opens by identifying the author as "the late King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Sehetepibre, the son of Re Ammenemes".
- It claims to be advice to his son in order to maintiain kingship and prosperity.
- He then warns his son not to trust anyone, for even those he helped refused support.
- He explains that he was assassinated by his guard while he was in bed.
- He briefly describes his provisions for Egypt, his military successes, and his building accomplishments is given.
- It closes with blessings for his son, Senusret, and some specific things to complete.
[edit] Impact
This manuscript is one of the earliest references to "Asiatics". Later pharaohs copied parts of older writings to legitimize their successes. The 25th Dynasty pharaoh Piye copied sections from the "Instructions of Amenemhat" almost verbatim. The poem was still being read in the fifth century BC, some 1500 years after it was written.
[edit] Reference
- Translation in R. B. Parkinson, The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems. Oxford World's Classics, 1999.
- Stephen Quirke: Egyptian Literature 1800BC: Questions and Readings, London 2004, 127-129 ISBN 0-9547218-6-1 (translation and transcription)
