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The Teaching of King Amenemhat I
Transliteration

(5)
snnw anxw psS.i m rmT
irw n.i qAmdt nty n sDm.tw.f
bw-aA n aHA n mA.n.tw.f
ist aHA.tw Hr mtwn smx sf
nn km n bw-nfr n xm-rx.f

Section 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Translation

(5)
MY LIVING IMAGES, MY OWN DISTINCT FROM MEN,
Make for me lament as has not been heard.
The greatness of the fight too had not been seen.
See, if you fight in the arena, oblivious of yesterday,
There is no good outcome for he who is unaware.

Commentary to the translation. Detailed points

(5)
Images
Kings as successive manifestations of the sun-god, physical vessels for the presence of the god on earth, in the manner of cult statues in temples.

My own distinct from men
This may elaborate upon the central Ancient Egyptian concept of kingship, that the king is offspring of the sun-god, and thus not 'man' at all.


 

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