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First published in 1973 – and followed by Volume II in 1976 and Volume III in 1980 – this anthology has assumed classic status in the field of Egyptology and portrays the remarkable evolution of the literary forms of one of the world’s earliest civilizations.Volume I outlines the early and gradual evolution of Egyptian literary genres, including biographical and historical inscriptions carved on stone, the various classes of literary works written with pen on papyrus, and the mortuary literature that focuses on life after death. Introduced with a new foreword by Antonio Loprieno.Volume II shows the culmination of these literary genres within the single period known as the New Kingdom (1550-1080 B.C.). With a new foreword by Hans-W. Fischer-Elfert.Volume III spans the last millennium of Pharaonic civilization, from the tenth century B.C. to the beginning of the Christian era. With a new foreword by Joseph G. Manning.
Series: Ancient Egyptian Literature (Book 2)
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: University of California Press; 2nd Revised edition edition (April 3, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0520248430
ISBN-13: 978-0520248434
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #487,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #67 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Regional & Cultural > African #67 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Literature > World Literature > African & Middle Eastern #170 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Middle Eastern
Finally, a collection of good and readable translations of Egyptian literature which both the layperson and the expert will find useful. Lichtheim has given the academic world a much needed reference with the translations of the text and a good introduction to the social history of the creators and the circumstances of the texts being recovered.
Having had concerns about Lichtheim's first volume of ancient Egyptian literature Ancient Egyptian Literature: Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms, I was wary of the second volume. I am much more pleased with volume 2, particularly with the breadth of the selection Lichtheim's explanation and placement in time of the documents has always been stellar.)The insciptions from private tombs and royal monuments are pretty standard fare (the Egyptians were predictable in their funerary inscriptions) - although the inclusion of the obelisk inscription by Hatsehpsut and the stelae by Thutmose III make for a marvelous contrast. Similarly her inclusion of hymns and prayers from Amenhotep IV (Akhenaton) and Horemheb as well as selections from the Book of the Dead were "must have" documents in any collection of primary documents from the New Kingdom. What sets this anthology apart from others The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry; Third Edition were the final few chapters.These chapters (on "Instructions", "Be a scribe", "Love poems", and "Tales") provide a much more honest look at life in New Kingdom Egypt, and put a much more human (fragile, flawed, and most certainly less idealized) face on the Egyptians, which is so contrary to the "public" face the Egyptians typically showed on monuments and in tombs. While the Middle Kingdom is usually considered the "golden age" of ancient Egyptian literature, I'll take these heartfelt snapshots of life over what was written in the Middle Kingdom anyday.
Ms. Lichtheim has done a wonderful job in her book, Ancient Egyptian Literature: New Kingdom! Her selections cover a wide range.She has a small introduction to each piece, besides the introductionto the book itself. Her placement of notes at the end of each selection is a godsend, no more madly turning to the back searching for the appropriate notes! An excellent choice for those interested in Egyptian history, or simply those wanting a better understanding of ancient literature. Buy it, it's worth it!
This is an admirable volume II, consistent with what made volume I my first choice. In this volume, there are monumental inscriptions, instructional literature (including some very amusing works on the scribal life), hymns (including the great hymn to Osiris, and the Akhenaten hymns to the Sun), selections from the 'Book of the Dead', some prose tales and a factual narrative. Introductions and notes are terrific. Ka's are left untranslated.
Another great collection by Lichtheim. It carries forward with everything that made her first anthology effective : a great introduction, footnotes and clear translations. I have nothing but good things to say about this book, and I look forward to the third volume.
One must bear in mind that this is a book that attempts to present the words of the Egyptian rulers (kings, queens, priests, and other key members of the elite) during the 18th & 19th & 20th dynasties that formed what is known as the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt (approx.1570-1070 BC). Not only is there a good organizational presentation of the literature that for obvious space reasons must be selective, there is a decent attempt to provide a good range of all the types of literature composed during that 500 year period. A daunting task that is well done by Miriam Lichtheim. She provides generally good citations of the sources and additional brief explanatory notes. This book is for the reader who has atleast a moderate knowledge level of Egyptian history during this period and the personalities that populate it.
Egyptian Mythology: Discover the Ancient Secrets of Egyptian Mythology (Egypt, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Civilizations, Gods, Pharaohs, Ra, Isis, Set) (Ancient Civilizations and Mythology) Ancient Egyptian Literature: Volume II: The New Kingdom Egyptian Gods: The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt (Egyptian Gods, Ancient Egypt) Pray Thy Kingdom Come: Effectively Praying the Powerful Kingdom of God into your life, from Heaven's Perspective (Prayer, Intercession, Kingdom of God, Spiritual Warfare, Effective Results) EGYPTIAN LITERATURE Comprising Egyptian Tales Hymns, Litanies Invocations The Book of The dead & Cuneiform Writings Ancient Egyptian Literature: Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms Ancient Egyptian Literature: An Anthology The Egyptian Book Of The Dead: The Hieroglyphic Transcript of the Papyrus of ANI, the Translation into English and An Introduction by E. A. Wallis Budge, Late Keeper of the Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities in The British Museum History: Greatest Ancient Civilization History: (History Rome, Romans, Egypt, SPQR, Aztec, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, Julius Caesar, Jesus, Muhammed, Alexander the Great) Sumerians: Discover History's First Civilization: Everything You Need to Know About the Sumerians of the Ancient World (Ancient History, Ancient Civilizations Handbook) GREEK MYTHOLOGY: Greek Gods Of Ancient Greece And Other Greek Myths - Discovering Greek History & Mythology - 3rd Edition - With Pics (Greece, Greek, Egyptian ... Greek History, Mythology, Myths Book 1) Ancient Egyptian Cut and Use Stencils Revealing Ancient Egyptian Astronomy: Secrets of Anubis Military History: Historical Armies of the World & How They Changed the World (Greek History, Spartans, Roman Army, Ancient Rome, Egyptian History, Special Ops) The Kemetic Tree of Life Ancient Egyptian Metaphysics and Cosmology for Higher Consciousness Count Like an Egyptian: A Hands-on Introduction to Ancient Mathematics Wilbur Smith Series Reading Order: Series List - In Order: Ballantyne series, Courtney series, Ancient Egyptian series, Wilbur Smith Thrillers (Listastik Series Reading Order Book 22) Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Ancient Mysteries of Amenta The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead (Gift Edition with Scarab)
