A Royal Book of Protection of the Saite Period: pBrooklyn 47.218.49

by Paul F. O'Rourke

Overview

This new study offers a comprehensive examination of a unique manuscript, a Late Period hieratic papyrus in the Brooklyn Museum. This document comprises a compilation of seventeen individual prophylactic texts whose anatomical focus is the ear. Many of the texts specifically state that they are intended for the protection of the ears of a king named Psamtik, a historical figure who ruled Egypt in the seventh century BCE. The fact that this papyrus was created to serve a sole purpose and function, the protection of the ear, distinguishes it noticeably from earlier Egyptian medical and magical texts that are largely encyclopedic and were intended to serve a broad range of purposes. The present study contains an introduction and full translation with extensive philological and textual commentary, as the texts of this papyrus are rich in mythological allusions. The commentaries are largely based on comparison with contemporary and older Egyptian texts that, although not direct parallels as there are none, serve nonetheless as a rich resource for comparative analysis that has led to a more informed reading of this important document.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780974002576
Publisher:	Yale Egyptology
Publication date:	11/30/2015
Series:	Yale Egyptological Studies , #9
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	8.46(w) x 10.98(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Paul F. O'Rourke is Research Associate of Egyptian Art at the Brooklyn Museum where he has worked since 1988. He is also Head of Language and Humanities at Pierrepont School in Westport, CT.

Table of Contents

List of Plates List of Tables Acknowledgments Abbreviations Journals and Standard Reference Works Text Publications and Terms Sigla 1. Introduction 2. Spells Spell A Spell B Spell C Spell D Spell E Spell F Spell G1 Spell G2 Spell H Spell I Spell J Spell K Spell L Spell M Spell N Spell O Spell P Spell Q Bibliography Indices Words Discussed Divine Names and Attributes Geographical Terms Texts Cited List of Plates Plate 1 Column x + 1. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 2 Column x + 2. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 3 Column x + 3. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 4 Column x + 4. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 5 Column x + 5. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 6 Column x + 6. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 7 Column x + 7. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 8 Column x + 8. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 9 Column x + 9. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 10 Column x + 10. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 11 Column x + 11. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 12 Column x + 12. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 13 Column x + 13. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 14 Column x + 14. a: Photograph b: Hieroglyphic Transcription Plate 15 Fragments from Column x + 1 or Lost Column(s) Plate 16 Fragments from Column x + 1 or Lost Column(s) Plate 17 Fragments from Column x + 1 or Lost Column(s) List of Tables Table 1 Signs in p Brooklyn 47.218.49 most closely resembling those of p BDNespasefy and p BDIahtesnakht Table 2 Unusually shaped signs Table 3 Pointed signs in p Brooklyn 47.218.49 Table 4 Signs similarly made in p Brooklyn 47.218.49 Table 5 Date ranges for Psamtik I-III