Ancient Egyptian Literature

This anthology, first published in 1973, showcases the evolution of Egyptian literary forms from the early New Kingdom to the last millennium of Pharaonic civilization. It includes biographical and historical inscriptions, papyrus works, and mortuary literature.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 872 pages
Publication date: 07 May 2019
Publisher: University of California Press

First published in 1973, this anthology has achieved the status of a classic in the field of Egyptology, showcasing the remarkable evolution of the literary forms of one of the world's earliest civilizations. The book begins with an exploration of the early and gradual development of Egyptian genres, encompassing biographical and historical inscriptions carved on stone, the diverse classes of works written with pen on papyrus, and the mortuary literature that delves into the realm of life after death. It then traces the culmination of these literary genres during the remarkable period known as the New Kingdom (1550–1080 B.C.), culminating in the final millennium of Pharaonic civilization, spanning from the tenth century B.C. to the dawn of the Christian era. To complement this comprehensive anthology, Antonio Loprieno, Hans-W. Fischer-Elfert, and Joseph G. Manning have contributed an introduction, divided into three parts.

Weight: 756g
Dimension: 131 x 197 x 70 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520305847