[Back] [Blueprint] [Next]

——————————————————————————————————

You may click on the footnote symbol to jump to the note, then click again on that footnote symbol and you will jump back to the same place in the text.

——————————————————————————————————


From Readings In Ancient History, Illustrative Extracts From The Sources, Volume I. Greece and the East, by William Stearns Davis, with an Introduction by Willis Mason West; Allyn and Bacon; Boston; 1912; pp. 4-6.

4

YEAR 2000 B. C. (12 Dynasty)

Inscription by Amenemhat I  [1500 B.C.]

Adapted from Breasted, “History of Egypt,” passim



The kings of Egypt were practically gods in the eyes of their subjects; in theory their power was absolute. In practice they seem to have been much hampered by a powerful priesthood and a self-assertive nobility. The utterances quoted from their inscriptions show that while some kings delighted in conquest, others took quite as much pleasure in promoting the peace and prosperity of their people. The Instructions of Amenemhat I to his son show forth the terrible isolation of the “divine” Pharaoh, and the ingratitude and treason which he had ever to fear was lurking under infinite lip service.




By Amenemhat I (12 dynasty, about 2000 B.C.)

I was one who made the grain to grow, and who loved the god of the harvest. In every valley did the Nile greet me. In my years none had hunger and none had thirst. In peace lived the people, and their talk was of me — because of the [good] deeds which I wrought.

From Amenemhat I. Instructions to his Son

Hearken to that which I tell thee, that thou mayest be king over the earth and ruler over its countries, and thy prosperity may increase. Harden thy heart against thy underlings. The people obey him whom they hold in fear. . . . Take no brother to thy heart, cherish no friend, keep no intimates1 — there is no end to them. When thou sleepest, still be on thy guard, for a man has no people [to defend him] when the evil day approaches. I gave to the beggar; I sustained the orphan; I was gracious to the humble as well as to the mighty — but he who ate of my bounty turned rebel: he to whom I gave my hand turned and smote me [literally “aroused fear therein”].




NOTES

1  The king had evidently suffered from gross ingratitude.





——————————————————————————————————



[Back] [Blueprint] [Next]

Valid CSS!