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Instructions of Amenemhat

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mamgeorge (talk | contribs) at 21:51, 21 June 2006 (added Piye detail). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Instructions of Amenemhat (aka "Teaching of King Ammenemes I to His Son Sesostris") is a short Egyptian work written during the Middle Kingdom purporting to be advice from 12th Dynasty pharaoh Amenemhat I to his son Senusret I.

Authorship

It is thought to have been authored by Senusret to eulogize his father and legitimize his claim to the throne.

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.

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 assasinated 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.

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.

Reference

http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/literature/teachingamenemhati-index.html

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