The Tale of Sinuhe

By Richard Parkinson,

Book cover of The Tale of Sinuhe: And Other Ancient Egyptian Poems 1940-1640 B.C.

Book description

The Tale of Sinuhe, from c.1875 BC, has been acclaimed as the supreme masterpiece of Ancient Egyptian poetry, a perfect fusion of monumental, dramatic, and lyrical styles, and a passionate probing of its culture's ideals and anxieties. This anthology contains all the substantial surviving works from the golden age of…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Tale of Sinuhe as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was immediately attracted to this volume of poetry, particularly when I realised that fragments from the original Tale of Sinuhe papyrus, had at one time been in the collection at Didlington Hall.

Professor Richard Parkinson introduces each poem from the Middle Kingdom and sets it in the context of its time. The Tale of Sinuhe is one of the most famous poems and was written around 1875 BC. It is an illuminating tale of adventure in foreign lands, but one in which Sinuhe reflects on life in Egypt and his relationship with the king. While The Tale of the…

From Angela's list on deciphering ancient Egypt.

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