Tale of Two Brothers

The Tale of Two Brothers is an ancient Egyptian story from around the 13th century BC.

The narrative is preserved on the Papyrus D'Orbiney. [ [http://www.hope.edu/bandstra/RTOT/CH2/CH2_TWO.HTM Tale of Two Brothers] , Accessed February 7, 2007.] which had belonged to Seti II (1209-1205 B.C.) of the nineteenth Egyptian dynasty when he was crown prince, [William Matthew Flinders Petrie, "Egyptian Tales: Translated from the Papyri", 1895, p.66] and may have been a political satire based in part on his own difficulties with his half brother, the usurper Amenmesse [J. H. Breasted "Ancient Records of Egypt", Part Three, §§ 239ff.] , but the historical facts concerning this period are so uncertain as to render such a conclusion speculative. The text has similarities to the story of Joseph in the house of Potiphar, in Genesis 39:1-20, however the relation between the two texts is unclear, if there even is one. [Shaw, Ian. & Nicholson, Paul. "The Dictionary of Ancient Egypt," p. 54. The British Museum Press, 1995.] Further elements of the story seem to be derived from the myths concerning Osiris' death and resurrection. [Erman, Adolph. "Life in Ancient Egypt." p. 379. Dover Publications, 1971.] The protagonists Anpu and Bata both bear names of gods of the 17th nome of Upper Egypt.

ynopsis

Bata lives with his married brother Anpu. One day, when Anpu is not at home, his wife tries to seduce Bata, and, having been repelled, accuses Bata of having made advances towards her. Anpu grows angry and wants to kill his younger brother who flees. Pre-Harakhte saves him by creating a body of water full of crocodiles between him and his brother. Bata tells his brother what has occurred and, as proof of his sincerity, cuts off his phallus which is swallowed by a catfish. Anpu returns home and kills his wife. Bata lives alone in the wilderness until the gods create a wife for him. Bata loves her very much and reveals to her that his heart is hidden in a pine. Pharaoh, on learning of her existence has her brought to his court. She tells him Bata's secret and Pharaoh has the pine cut down, killing Bata. Anpu goes to look for his brother, and after finding his body, he searches for his heart and finds it after years of searching. Bata is revived and wants to take revenge on his wife. He transforms himself into a beautiful bull and his brother takes him to Pharaoh. Bata reveals himself to his wife who has him killed. Two drops of his blood are spilled and from them grow two persea trees, incarnations of Bata. His wife has them felled, but a splinter of their wood enters her body through the mouth and she becomes pregnant. She gives birth to the reincarnation of Bata, who is acknowledged as the Pharaoh's heir. When Pharaoh dies, he becomes king and he has the queen tried and killed.

ource of the text

* P. D'Orbiney (P. Brit. Mus. 10183), written towards the end of the 19th dynasty by the scribe Ennana. [Lichtheim, "Ancient Egyptian Literature", vol.2, 1980, p.203] It was acquired by the British Museum in 1857. [Lewis Spence, "An Introduction to Mythology", Cosimo, Inc. 2004, ISBN 159605056X, p.247]

References

* Susan T. Hollis, in: "Chronique d'Égypte" 59, 1984, 248-257 with more references

External links

* [http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/texts/anpu_and_bata.htm Anpu and Bata, a Tale of Two Brothers]