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The Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Curriculum
The Instruction of Pharaoh Amenemhat I to his son Pharaoh Senusret I, early 12th Dynasty (ca.1909 B.C.E.)
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Pharaoh Amenemhat I was the founder of the 12th Dynasty. Many credit his rule as the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. He ruled from 1991 - 1962 B.C.E.
(...) : additions in English
[...] : restoration
{...} : uncertain or corrupt
Titles in bold were added. To facilitate future comments, the numbering is done anew. This translation is based on all mentioned translations, as well as on the hieroglyphic transcription of all available sources by Volten (1945).
Prologue
01 Beginning of the instruction made by the Majesty of King Sehetepibre, son of Re, Amenemhat, the justified, as he spoke in a mission of truth,1 to his son the AlI-Lord.
address to Senusret
02 He said :
03 "Risen as god,2 hear what I teIl You, (so)
04 that You may rule the land, govern the shores, (and)
05 increase well-being !
beware of nobodies
06 Beware of subjects who are nobodies,
07 of whose plotting3 one is not aware.
08 Do not go near to them alone.
09 Trust not a brother, know not a friend,
10 make no intimates, it is worthless.
11 When You lie down, guard your heart yourself.
12 For no man has adherents on the day of woe.
by doing good one does not avoid an attack
13 I gave to the beggar, I raised the orphan,
14 I gave to those who were nothing, like to those who were something.
15 But he who ate my food raised opposition,
16 he whom I gave my hands, used them to assail me,4
17 wearers of my fine linen looked at me as if they were needy,5
18 those perfumed with my myrrh {poured water while wearing it.}6
remember what has happened
19 You my living peers, my partners among men,
20 make for me mourning such as has not been heard,
21 for so great a combat had not yet been seen !
22 If one fights in the arena forgetful of the past,
23 success will elude him who ignores what he should know.
the narrative of the assassination
24 It was after supper, night had come. I was taking an hour of rest, lying on my bed, for I was weary. As my heart began to follow sleep, weapons for my protection were turned against me, while I was like a snake of the desert. I awoke at the fighting, {came to myself}, 7 and found it was a combat of the guard. Had I quickly seized weapons in my hand, I would have made the cowards retreat. But no one is strong at night ; no one can fight alone ; no success is achieved without a helper.
25 Thus bloodshed occurred while I was without You ; before the courtiers had heard I would hand over to You ; before I had sat with You so as to advise You.8 For I had not prepared for it, had not expected it, had not foreseen the failing of the servants ...
Unit 1: Ancient Africa (200,000 B.C.E. – 476 A.C.E.)
Class 9: The Middle Kingdom & Second Intermediate Period (2055 B.C.E. – 1550 B.C.E.)
Senusret I was the second pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt. He ruled from 1971 BC to 1926 B.C.E., and was one of the most powerful kings of this Dynasty. He is the son of Amenemhat I and the father of Amenemhat II.
