Middle Egyptian Historical Texts Syllabus

Dr. Peter J. Brand, Fall 2013

 In this course we will be reading several important historical hieroglyphic texts in the original language, focusing on texts in the Middle Egyptian dialect ranging from the early Middle Kingdom to the Ramesside Period. The aim of this course is to gain an understanding of how Egyptologists derive and interpret historical data from Egyptian inscriptions. By examining the literary style, the nuance of specific terms and phrases as well as the rhetorical devices used by the Egyptians, students will be better prepared to critique both the original sources and modern translations of the same by scholars. Students are welcome, even encouraged, to consult modern translations of these texts where available, but I expect you to produce your own original translations reflecting your own interpretation of the grammatical structure and lexicography of the texts.

Prerequisites:

Students should have at least one year of Middle Egyptian and must obtain the instructor’s permission to sign up.

Course Materials:

I will provide the hieroglyphic texts to be read. Students should have a standard dictionary like Faulkner’s Consise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian and a copy of at least one current Middle Egyptian Grammar. Other reference materials will be provided by the instructor via the classes’ UMDrive page: https://umdrive.memphis.edu/pbrand/Middle%20Egyptian%20Texts/

Assignments:

Students will prepare weekly translations with transliteration and grammatical parsing of the assigned texts which I will collect for inspection on a regular basis. Students will also be required to write a 10-15 page essay on an approved topic or text. The nature of this essay should be grammatical, text-critical or form-critical analysis, lexicographical or a translation of a text with critical apparatus incorporating all of these forms of analysis.

Grading:

The plus/minus grading scale will be used in this class. Course grades will be determined as follows:

Term Paper:

Students will prepare a 10-15 page paper that translates and analyzes a specific historical text in the Middle Egyptian dialect. Translations will include critical apparatus that notes issues related to lexicography, grammar, and other form critical analysis of the text.

Suggested Texts:

I will select some of the texts, but students are encouraged to propose texts to be read:

E.g.:     Hatshepsut’s Obelisk dedicatory Text

Thutmose III’s Battle of Megiddo account or a similar text such as selections from his Karnak Annals or his Armant or Gebel Barkal stelae

Tutankhamun’s Restoration Stela