The ancient Egyptians had very definite views about their neighbours, some positive, some negative. As one would expect, Egyptian perceptions of 'the other' were subject to change over time, especially in response to changing political, social and economic conditions. Thus, as Asiatics became a more familiar part of everyday life in Egypt, and their skills and goods became increasingly important, depictions of them took on more favourable aspects. The investigation by necessity involves a multi-disciplined approach which seeks to combine and synthesize data from a wider variety of sources than drawn upon in earlier studies. By the same token, the book addresses the interests of, and has appeal to, a broad spectrum of scholars and general readers.
Author(s): Phyllis Saretta
Series: Bloomsbury Egyptology
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Year: 2016
Language: English
Pages: xiv+314
Asiatics in Middle Kingdom Egypt: Perceptions and Reality
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
List of Abbreviations
1 Introduction: The Scope, Methodology and Purpose of the Present Study
Methodology
Previous studies
2 ˁȝmw: Etymology, Usage and Synonyms
The term ˁȝmw
Usage of term in context in Egyptian texts with ḫsy the wretched Asiatic
Degree of overlap in the Egyptian terminology for Asiatic
Who were the ˁȝmw ?
The historical, geographical and ethnic background of the Amorites
Geography and origins: the background of the Amorites
The early history of the Amorites: their geographical, cultural, and ethnic background
Cultural background
Stereotypes of Amorites in Sumerian and Akkadian literature
Stereotypic depictions as a reflection of historic and socio-economic realities
ˁȝmw in Egypt
Old Kingdom to the Early Middle Kingdom
Old Kingdom
First Intermediate Period
The Instruction of King Amenemhet 1 for his son Senwosret I
Summary and analysis of Egyptian texts from Dynasty Six to Early Dynasty Twelve (the reign of Amenemhet I) with reference to ˁȝmw
Conclusion
3 West Semites in Egyptian Art of the Old and Middle Kingdoms
The Old Kingdom
Ideology
“Official” representations of foreigners in the Old Kingdom
Three-dimensional sculpture
Relief
Smiting scenes
Foreigners as captives
Siege and battle scenes
Famine
Commerce
The Middle Kingdom
Verbal and visual perceptions of ˁȝmw
The Eleventh Dynasty
The Twelfth Dynasty
Middle Kingdom provincial tombs at Beni Hasan
Eleventh Dynasty
Twelfth Dynasty provincial tombs
Description
Amorite foreigners in the tomb of Khnumhotep II (Tomb 3) at Beni Hasan during the reign of Senwosret II
Description and comparanda
Ἰb Šȝ, the Amorite sheikh
Comparanda
Male figure with ibex
Description
Comparanda
Bronze beaker from Mesopotamia
Byblos dagger sheath from the Obelisk Temple at Byblos
Overall analysis of the Beni Hasan “caravan” scene
Interpretation
4 West Semites and the Economic Life of Egypt
Dyeing
Herders of cattle or cattle administration
ˁȝmw as artisans at Sinai
The “men of the ỉmnw ”
Ἰmnw at Lisht
Foreign workers at Dahshur?
Figural graffiti under the pyramid of Senwosret III
Comparanda
Asiatics at Lisht
The mud figurine from Lisht: description
Canaanite imports at Lisht and the settlement
Asiatics at Kahun
Craftsmen and artisans at Kahun
Foreign female offering bearers, and ritual dancers/attendants at Meir
Who were they?
But not too foreign
Encoded messages in Middle Kingdom stelae
Case study
The Stela of Reniseneb
Interpretation
(He of?) ȝpἰm and (He of?) Škȝm. Skamin Sinai Inscription 405 (Fig. 4.37a) 258
Conclusion
Herding
Artisans
5 Conclusion and Prospects for Further Study
Survivals and transformations of the Asiatic image in Egypt of the New Kingdom
Amenhotep III
Notes
Preface
1 Introduction
2 ˁȝmw: Etymology, Usage and Synonyms
3 West Semites in Egyptian Art of the Old and Middle Kingdoms
4 West Semites and the Economic Life of Egypt
5 Conclusion and Prospects for Further Study
Bibliography
Chronological Tables
Sources of Illustrations
Index
