[ahtimeline-event-heading]
Sinuhe was a court official during the reign of Amenemhat I (1991-1962). He seems to have become embroiled in a power struggle after the pharaoh died. Forced to flee Egypt, he would have died in the western Sinai desert if a nomadic chieftan had not found him and helped him on his way. Sinuhe continued to journey northward until he reached Syria or northern Canaan. There he worked for a local ruler and married into the family. He was eventually placed at the head of one of the tribes in the region.
The Battle
Sinuhe relates how the Asiatics among whom he found himself were just beginning to find their strength and had became “so bold as to oppose the rulers of foreign countries.” Sinuhe boasts that he gained renown for my “strong arm, my bow, by my movements, and my successful plans.” He goes on to recount a battle he fought against a great man, “a hero without peer,” who challenged him to single, hand-to-hand, combat. Sinuhe accepted the challenge and spent the rest of the night sharpening his weapons and stringing his bow. The next morning, the whole tribe came out to watch as the two men faced off against each other. Every heart burned for me; women and men groaned. Every heart was sick for me. They said: “Is there another strong man who could fight against him?”
Sinuhe’s opponent was armed with a shield, battle-axe, and an armful of javelins. Sinuhe dodged the javelins with ease and then shot him with an arrow to the throat during the charge. Sinuhe’s fame came to the attention of a new pharaoh in Egypt, Senuseret I (1971-1928). Sinuhe was invited to return home. After a life of adventure and toil, he returned to Egypt, a conquering hero.
Return
The story gives an interesting account of how Sinuhe viewed pharaoh.
I found his majesty upon the Great Throne in a recess of fine gold. When I was stretched out upon my belly, I knew not myself in his presence, (although) this god greeted me pleasantly. I was like a man caught in the dark: my soul departed, my body was powerless, my heart was not in my body, that I might know life from death. (ANET Vol. 1, The Story of Sinuhe)
Sinuhe presented himself at the palace, but when he perceived his sovereign seated on the golden throne he fainted:
‘Lift him up,’ the king said to one of his nobles, ‘and let him speak to me.’
Sinuhe stammer out a few words and the king turned to his wife and said:
‘Just look at Sinuhe who has come back looking like an Asiatic, a real Bedouin.’ (Montet, 61)
She uttered a cry and the royal children shouted all together:
‘It is not really he, Your Majesty, my Lord.’ ‘Yes, it is,’ replied the king.
Sinuhe was given a house to live in, with fine linens and prime oil. He was cleaned, plucked and oiled. No longer was he a ‘Sand Crosser’ but one of the Egyptian elite. He lived the remainder of his years on the banks of the Nile enjoying the good favor of pharaoh, secure in the knowledge that a pyramid was being constructed for his burial and a gold statue to receive the offerings of the priests. What more could an Egyptian want?
ANET Volume I, The Story of Sinuhe
[ahtimeline-event-heading]
Sinuhe was a court official during the reign of Amenemhat I (1991-1962). He seems to have become embroiled in a power struggle after the pharaoh died. Forced to flee Egypt, he would have died in the western Sinai desert if a nomadic chieftan had not found him and helped him on his way. Sinuhe continued to journey northward until he reached Syria or northern Canaan. There he worked for a local ruler and married into the family. He was eventually placed at the head of one of the tribes in the region.
The Battle
Sinuhe relates how the Asiatics among whom he found himself were just beginning to find their strength and had became “so bold as to oppose the rulers of foreign countries.” Sinuhe boasts that he gained renown for my “strong arm, my bow, by my movements, and my successful plans.” He goes on to recount a battle he fought against a great man, “a hero without peer,” who challenged him to single, hand-to-hand, combat. Sinuhe accepted the challenge and spent the rest of the night sharpening his weapons and stringing his bow. The next morning, the whole tribe came out to watch as the two men faced off against each other. Every heart burned for me; women and men groaned. Every heart was sick for me. They said: “Is there another strong man who could fight against him?”
Sinuhe’s opponent was armed with a shield, battle-axe, and an armful of javelins. Sinuhe dodged the javelins with ease and then shot him with an arrow to the throat during the charge. Sinuhe’s fame came to the attention of a new pharaoh in Egypt, Senuseret I (1971-1928). Sinuhe was invited to return home. After a life of adventure and toil, he returned to Egypt, a conquering hero.
Return
The story gives an interesting account of how Sinuhe viewed pharaoh.
I found his majesty upon the Great Throne in a recess of fine gold. When I was stretched out upon my belly, I knew not myself in his presence, (although) this god greeted me pleasantly. I was like a man caught in the dark: my soul departed, my body was powerless, my heart was not in my body, that I might know life from death. (ANET Vol. 1, The Story of Sinuhe)
Sinuhe presented himself at the palace, but when he perceived his sovereign seated on the golden throne he fainted:
‘Lift him up,’ the king said to one of his nobles, ‘and let him speak to me.’
Sinuhe stammer out a few words and the king turned to his wife and said:
‘Just look at Sinuhe who has come back looking like an Asiatic, a real Bedouin.’ (Montet, 61)
She uttered a cry and the royal children shouted all together:
‘It is not really he, Your Majesty, my Lord.’ ‘Yes, it is,’ replied the king.
Sinuhe was given a house to live in, with fine linens and prime oil. He was cleaned, plucked and oiled. No longer was he a ‘Sand Crosser’ but one of the Egyptian elite. He lived the remainder of his years on the banks of the Nile enjoying the good favor of pharaoh, secure in the knowledge that a pyramid was being constructed for his burial and a gold statue to receive the offerings of the priests. What more could an Egyptian want?
ANET Volume I, The Story of Sinuhe