Coptic Culture

Ancient Egyptian Literature, Part IX

by Ed Rizkalla

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" Psalm 111.10

(رأس الحكمة مخافة اللة)

As the writer was a child growing up in Egypt, it was common to respectfully address a Muslim as (الشيخ) which means "Elder", and a Copt as (المعلم), which means "Teacher". Perhaps addressing a Copt as a "Teacher" shouldn't come as a surprise, as some historians e.g. the Arab historian Al-Maqrizi (1) noted that the Copts were in fact (اهل علم) people of knowledge. Likewise, Coptic businessmen or employees were known to be (حقانين) which means people who conduct their business with diligence and strive for perfection and excellence.

 In prior articles of this series, the writer explored several examples from ancient Egyptian literature to help shed light on several Coptic cultural attributes, norms, and values. In this posting, the writer, with the grace of Christ the Lord, will present another example of ancient Egyptian literature, the "Satirical Letter of Papyrus Anastasi I", to shed light on two Coptic cultural attributes 1) the respect for education, knowledge, and love of wisdom, and more specifically on their predisposition to strive for excellence, and 2) the joy of life.

The "Satirical Letter of Papyrus Anastasi I" is dated to Ramesside Period of the New Kingdom. A British Museum papyrus (P. British Museum 10247) contains an essentially complete text of the literary composition written on 28 pages. This literary composition seems to have been popular in instructing school boys, who usually used ostraca as writing media for their school exercises. Sir Alan H. Gardiner (1879-1963), the British Egyptologist (2) lists eight such ostraca among the collections of several institutions in Europe and a fragmentary papyrus (Papyrus de Turin) at the Museum of Turin, which include parts of the "Satirical Letter of Papyrus Anastasi I". Gardiner comments about the text that "its wealth of topics and frequent variety of vocabulary must have given the text particular value as a model of style and as a means of teaching orthography". He also notes that its "language is similar to that of other literary texts of the period, i.e. a mixture between the vulgar spoken dialect and the old classical style". Gardiner further remarks, about the Coptic cultural attribute for the joy of life, stating "Hints of the Egyptian's love for repartee and appreciation of irony may be found in the snatches of conversation written above the scenes on walls of tombs, …and samples are to be found here and there in the literature; but nowhere are these attributes more strikingly illustrated than in Anastasi I." An outline of this literary creation is presented here after:

"Hori, a scribe of great learning, writes his friend Amenemope. Hori indicates that he was glad to receive Amenemope's letter, however his gladness was diminished by the way it was poorly written. Hori proceeds to reply, and outlines how a good letter should be written. He pokes fun at the pretensions of Amenemope- and in general others- with little and superficial knowledge, who quote proverbs written by famous ancient Egyptian writers but lack in-depth knowledge and understanding of thereof. He proceeds to demonstrate how to a competent scribe would address several problems, such as the construction of a ramp, and the transportation of an obelisk. Hori mocks Amenemope's pretensions as a "Maher" or diplomatic envoy. He derides his lack of knowledge of the cities and land of western Asia. Hori concludes his literary composition stating "How marred is every (word) that cometh out of thy tongue! How feeble are thy sentences! Thou splittest words asunder, plunging ahead. Thou art not wearied of groping.

Be strong! Forwards! Get thee along! ...

Behold I have marshaled before thee the foreign countries all at once, and the towns and their order. Attend to me and look at them calmly."

The author of the "Satirical Letter of Papyrus Anastasi I" uses a letter format as a literary device to admonish his reader(s)- some of whom have acquired knowledge of the letters, and perhaps some of  the Egyptian classics, and some administrative and managerial skills- not to be content with superficial knowledge but strive to acquire in-depth knowledge. He uses wit to get his message across, derides the pretensions of scribes with little knowledge, and challenges his readers to strive for excellence, as learning and acquiring knowledge and wisdom should be a continuous effort throughout   life. 

The ancient Egyptian literary creation reflects two important Coptic cultural attributes, the respect for education, knowledge and love of wisdom, and the joy of life. A sunny disposition, joy of life, and optimism provide the mental and emotional strength to meet challenges and face crises. Knowledge, flexibility, adaptability and innovation provide some of the wherewithal to tackle problems, challenges and crises. The ancient Egyptian writer, however, cautions, admonishes, and challenges the addressee(s), reader(s), school boys, and future generations not to be content to sit at the shallow shores of a little bit of knowledge, but to sail into the deep to acquire better understanding, and strive for perfection, excellence, and wisdom.

The Coptic culture is a forward-looking culture. It has its genesis way back in the history and mythology of ancient Egypt. The Coptic culture has been influenced, enhanced, invigorated, and in some certain instances changed by the tenets of the Christian faith. It has helped the Copts over the centuries not only survive but also thrive. It continues to enhance the Copts abilities and their prospects for success and growth in our day and age.

The peace of the Lord be with you all. Irene Passe.

1) Al-khitat by Al-Maqrizi, printed by Ihiaa' al-'eloum bookstore, southern coast, al-shiah, Lebanon, 1959.

2) Egyptian Hieratic Texts, Transcribed, Translated and Annotated by Sir Alan H. Gardner,      Series I: Literary Texts of the New Kingdom, Part I, J.C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung, Leipzig, Germany, 1911.

Acknowledgement: The writer would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, for their assistance with research for background material for this article.

Ed Rizkalla is a management consultant and a freelance writer. He is the founder of Pharos on the Potomac Group (POPG), a non-profit organization at Annandale, VA. http://mysite.verizon.net/vzes76jv/pharosonthepotomacgroup