NML440H1

Ancient Egyptian Historical Texts

This is an advanced language seminar that introduces the student to the analysis, in terms of both language/grammar and content, of Ancient Egyptian texts of historical significance. Texts from the periods of the Old Kingdom up to the Late Period will be studied, and all texts will be read in the (mostly Middle Egyptian) original. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural and social context of the texts, and questions such as how to best define “historical texts,” and to what extent literary texts may be used as historical sources, will be discussed.