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Egyptian Texts of the Late & Ptolemaic Periods


The kernel of this collection of translations is the large number of annotated texts compiled by André Dollinger, which are no longer available on the   reshafim.org.il   website.   Most of his texts from the 8th century B.C. onwards have been copied here, along with many additional translations of hieroglyphic and demotic texts from the Ptolemaic period (mostly without notes), which are flagged with a *.   There is also a list of these texts in chronological order.

There is an extensive collection of texts from earlier periods of Egyptian history in the St Andrews Corpus.   There are two very useful collections of demotic documents in German translation: Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae and Demotic Palaeographical Database Project.


Contents:

  1.   Mythology and hymns
  2.   Magic and dreams
  3.   Tales and teachings
  4.   Biographies of men
  5.   Memorials of women
  6.   Letters, personal matters
  7.   Legal and economic matters
  8.   Official accounts and decrees
  9.   Miscellaneous documents


[1]   1. Mythology, hymns, and rituals

1    The Legend of Horus of Behutet and the Winged Disk   (c. 110 B.C.)

2    The Shabaka Stone: 'Memphite Theology'   (c. 710 B.C.)

3    The book of the victory over Seth   (307/6 B.C.)

4    * The book of overthrowing Apep   (late 4th century B.C.)

5    * Hymns to Hathor   (1st century B.C.)

6    The Famine Stela   (Ptolemaic Period)

7    * Maat and the Golden Age   (3rd century B.C.)

8    * The Coronation Ritual of the Falcon at Edfu   (late 2nd cent. B.C.)   - offsite

9    * The Ritual of Bringing in Sokar   (c. 305 B.C.)

10    * The Songs of Isis and Nephthys   (late 4th century B.C.)

11    * The Lamentations of Isis and Nephthys   (2nd century B.C.)

12    * Myths of Isis   (360-343 B.C.)

13    * Hymns to Horus at Edfu   (222-206 B.C.)

14    * The Sacred Drama of Horus at Edfu   (c. 110 B.C.)

15    * Praise of the Creator Gods at Medinet Habu   (145-116 B.C.)

16    * The Myth of the Solar Eye   (2nd century A.D.)

    See also: Hymns to Isis at Philae   and: Hymns to Amun at Teudjoi


[2]   Magic, dreams and oracles

1    * Spells against poison and other dangers   (4th century B.C.)

2    The Demotic Magical Papyrus of London and Leiden   (3rd century A.D.)

3    * Dreams of Ḥor   (2nd century B.C.)

4    Fragments of Demotic dreambooks   (Ptolemaic & Roman Periods)

5    * Nectanebo's Dream   (c. 150 B.C.)

6    * Dreams in the Serapeum at Memphis   (161-158 B.C.)

7    * Prayer of a blind man   (265 B.C.)

8    The Potter's Oracle   (2nd century B.C.)

9    * Oracle of the Lamb   (4 A.D.)

10    * Papyrus Dodgson : an oracular response   (150-30 B.C.)   - offsite


[3]   Tales, teachings and instructions

1    The Bentresh Stela

2    * The First Tale of Setne Khamwas: Setne and Naneferkaptah

3    The Second Demotic Tale of Khamuas: Prince Khamuas and Si-Osiri

4    * Demotic papyrus of moral precepts   (c. 163 B.C.)

5    * The Instruction of Ankhsheshonq   (1st century B.C.)

6    * Advice on the conduct of priests at Edfu   (2nd century B.C.)

7    * Book of the Faiyum   (Ptolemaic Period)   - offsite

8    * Instructions of Papyrus Insinger   (1st century B.C.)

9    * The Brooklyn Wisdom Papyrus   (? 4th century B.C.)

10    * The Swallow and the Sea   (1st century B.C. - 2nd century A.D.)

11    * Amasis and the Sailor   (3rd century B.C.)

12    * The Depraved Harpist   (2nd century A.D.)

13    * Petekhons and the Warrior Women   (2nd century A.D.)


[4]   Biographies, memorials of men

1    The stela of Rudamen   (23th dynasty : 8th century B.C.)

2    The inscription of the general Psamtik   (7th/6th century B.C.)

3    The inscription of Nesuhor   (26th dynasty : 6th century B.C.)

4    The stela of Besmut   (26th dynasty : 6th century B.C.)

5    The inscription of Udjahorresne   (26th dynasty : 6th century B.C.)

6    The petition of Pediese   (6th century B.C.)

7    The biographical inscription of Petosiris   (4th century B.C.)

8    The inscription of Hor-nefer   (c. 300 B.C.)

9    * Statues of Djedhor, a Healer-Priest   (323-317 B.C.)

10    * Statues of Nesmin, a young priest   (c. 300 B.C.)

11    * Epitaph of Nesisti   (c. 250 B.C.)

12    * Epitaph of Pedubast   ( 76 B.C. )

13    * Epitaph of Psherenptah   ( 41 B.C. )

14    * Statue of Aristonikos   ( 2nd century B.C. )

15    * Epitaph of Petiesi at Aswan   ( 150-50 B.C. )

16    * Epitaph of Pasas at Edfu   ( 103-101 B.C. )

17    * Statue of the general Petimuthes   ( c. 100 B.C. )

18    * Statue of the dioiketes Harchebi / Archibios   ( c. 136-121 B.C. )

19    * Statue of the dioiketes Horpakhepesh   ( c. 193-180 B.C. )

20    * The stela of Padinefertum   (late Ptolemaic period)

21    * Statue of Platon the Younger   ( 98 B.C. )

22    * Statue of Pamenches   (c. 30 B.C.)

23    * Epitaph of Imhotep-Pedubast   (23 B.C.)

24    * Epitaph of Anemhor   (217 B.C.)

25    * Nectanebo's son and Nectanebo's great-nephew   (c. 330-310 B.C.)

26    * Epitaph of Somtutefnakht   (c. 330 B.C.)

27    * Two statues of Senu-Sher   ( 275-255 B.C. )

28    * Statue of Ahmose   (332-300 B.C.)

29    * Statue of Teos   (3rd century B.C.)

30    * Statue of the astronomer Harkhebi   (154-130 B.C.)

31    * Epitaph of Achomarres - Hor   (151 B.C.)

32    * Statues of General Hor   (mid 4th century B.C.)

33    * Statues of Espmetis   (350-300 B.C.)

34    * Statues of Panemerit, governor of Tanis   (80-51 B.C.)

35    * Statues of Korax at Dendera   (80-50 B.C.)

36    * Statue of the strategos Amphiomis   (125-75 B.C.)

37    * Statue of Panas at Dendera   (90-30 B.C.)

38    * Statues of the strategos Pakhom   (80-10 B.C.)


[5]   Memorials of women

1    * Epitaph of Tathotis   (late 3rd century B.C.)

2    * Epitaph of Kheredankh, daughter of Shepmin   ( 2nd/1st century B.C.)

3    * Epitaph of Kheredankh, daughter of Psherenptah   (43 B.C.)   - offsite

4    * Epitaph of Taimhotep   ( 42 B.C. )

5    * Epitaph of Berenice   ( 33 B.C. )

6    * Statue of Semset   ( c. 300 B.C. )

7    * Epitaph of Tahebet   (c. 230-220 B.C.)

8    * Epitaph of Hatheritis   (late 2nd century B.C.)

9    * Epitaph of Taneferher   (23 B.C.)

10    * Epitaph of Nefersobek   (189 B.C.)

11    * Stelas of Mut-min & Nehem-set-Rat-tawy   (late 4th century B.C.)

12    * Statue of Nesnephthys   ( 323-250 B.C. )

13    * Statue of Arsinoe II   ( 270-246 B.C. )


[6]   Letters and documents concerning personal matters

1    Aramaic Papyri from Elephantine   (27th dynasty : 5th century B.C.)

2    Marriage contracts   (Graeco-Roman Period)

3    * Marriage contracts from Pathyris   (Ptolemaic Period)

4    * Demotic divorce documents   (490, 230, 114 B.C.)

5    * Matrimonial Property Contracts   (239 & 235 B.C.)

6    * Bilingual letter from Ptolemaeus to Achilles   (3rd century B.C.)

7    * Letter from a soldier to the residents of Djeme   (? 167 B.C.)

8    * Letters to and about Pewenhor   (364-345 B.C.)

9    * Letters to and from Horhotep   (325-250 B.C.)

10    * Letter from Phib to Paret   (? 289 B.C.)

11    * Letter from a perfume trader   (215 B.C.)

12    * Letter about looters   (Ptolemaic period)

13    * Two letters from Panobchounis   (103/2 B.C.)

14    * Burial documents   (Ptolemaic Period)

15    * Will of Heti   (68 B.C.)

16    * Letter dated to reign of Haronnophris   (205 B.C.)

17    * Memorandum to the strategos Hierax   (c. 50 B.C.)

18    * Payment for the annual maintenance of a daughter   (316 B.C.)

19    * Appeal against a cruel father   (Ptolemaic Period )

20    * Reports from Soknopaiou Nesos   (Ptolemaic Period )

21    * Memorandum to the Overseer of Fields   (3rd century B.C.)

22    * Letter of Eschnompmetis about a victory festival   ( 216 B.C. )   - offsite

23    * Letter about priests who fled to Nubia   ( 187 B.C. )   - offsite


[7]   Documents and records concerning legal and economic matters

1    The Naukratis Decree   (380 B.C.)

2    The Demotic Legal Code of Hermopolis West: Annuity and inheritance laws

3    * Legal Process Regulations   (Ptolemaic Period)

4    Procès verbal: a judgment in Siut   (170 B.C.)

5    A tax-collectors' oath   (236 B.C.)

6    Graeco-Roman tax-receipts

7    * Sale and Cession of House   (307 B.C.)

8    * Residents of the House of the Cow   (324-279 B.C.)

9    * Proposal to become priest of Harsaphes   (180/79 B.C.)

10    * A property settlement at Deir el Ballas   (175 B.C. )

11    Allotment of crown lands to soldiers and their rents   (c. 150 B.C.)

12    * Bilingual sale of liturgies   (136 B.C.)

13    * Contracts for sale of wheat with deferred delivery   (108 B.C.)

14    Contract with linen manufacturers at Coptos   ( 31 B.C. )   - offsite

15    * Contract for hire of a wagon   ( 7 B.C. )

16    Economic aspects of religious life in Rifeh   (c. 150 B.C. )

17    * Proposal to become a Scribe in Pathyris   (204 B.C. )

18    * Two contracts for sale of liturgical days   (194 + 187 B.C.)

19    * Agreement to provide surety for a prisoner   (247 B.C.)

20    * Oath in the king's name   (261 B.C.)

21    * Contract concerning collection-boxes   (100 B.C.)

22    * Contracts between sculptors and a temple at Tholthis   (148 B.C. ?)

23    * Lease of land at Philadelphia   (190 B.C.)

24    * Sale of a Cow   (106 B.C.)

25    * Sale of an empty plot at Djeme   (140 B.C.)

26    * Cession following judges' decision   (141 B.C.)

27    * Decisory Oaths   (Ptolemaic Period)

28    * Contract and Cession concerning burial arrangements at Hawara   (220 B.C.)

29    * Embalmers' agreements   (269 & 157 B.C.)

30    * Contract for sale of a house by four siblings   (64 B.C.)

31    * Contract for the hire of a donkey   (145 B.C.)

32    * Lawsuit concerning the rights of embalmers   (111 B.C.)

33    * Lease to collect money at Kerkesoucha Orous   (79 B.C.)

34    * Sale of land to a Greek man   (214-210 B.C.)

35    * Sales of land dated to reign of Haronnophris   (202/1 B.C.)


[8]   Historical, political writings, official accounts, decrees

1    * The Stela of Piye   (25th dynasty : 8th century B.C.)

2    The adoption stela of Nitocris, daughter of Psamtik I   (26th dynasty : 7th century B.C.)

3    The stela of Ankhenesneferibre   (26th dynasty : 6th century B.C.)

4    * The stela of Nastasen   (335-300 B.C.)

5    Decree of the satrap Ptolemy Lagides   (311 B.C.)

6    * Honours for Sheamenopy, a wool-trader in Naucratis   (280 B.C.)

7    The Great Mendes Stela   (264 B.C.)

8    * Edict concerning a comprehensive survey of Egypt   ( 258 B.C. )   - offsite

9    * Report on migrants   (264/3 B.C.)

10    The Canopus Decree   (238 B.C.)

11    The Greek section of the Rosetta Stone   (196 B.C.)

12    * Hieroglyphic and demotic sections of the Rosetta Stone   (196 B.C.)

13    * History of the temple of Horus at Edfu   (c. 90 B.C.)

14    * Construction of the new temple of Hathor at Dendera   (22-12 B.C.)

15    * The stela of Harsiotef   (380-360 B.C.)

16    * The Hermopolis stela of Nectanebo I   (c. 373 B.C.)

17    * Edict of Nectanebo concerning the Mysterious Mountain   (357/6 B.C.)

18    * Donation of Ptolemy VI to Isis at Philae   (157 B.C.)

19    * The Kingston Lacy Obelisk   (c. 124-116 B.C.)

20    * The Demotic Chronicle   ( 4th/3rd century B.C. )   - offsite


[9]   Miscellaneous documents, religious matters and graffiti

1    * Records of the Apis bulls   (Ptolemaic Period)

2    * Epitaphs of Buchis bulls   (Ptolemaic Period)

3    The last funerary stela of a Buchis bull   (340 A.D.)

4    * Self-dedications to Egyptian gods   (2nd century B.C. )

5    * Admission of a priest at Tebtunis   (141 B.C. )

6    Documents concerning Ptolemaic religious associations   (109-106 B.C.)

7    * Visits of the strategos to the temple of Djeser-set   (55 & 48 B.C.)

8    * Graffito of a strategos and his family   (61 B.C.)

9    * Two horoscopes from Athribis   (44 & 27 B.C.)

10    * Graffito in the temple of Satis, Elephantine   (281-277 or 168-164 B.C.)

11    * Inscription of Ankh-pa-hered in the temple of Luxor   (320 B.C.)

12    * Breathing Permit of Hôr   (200-150 B.C.)

13    * The glorifications of Herisenef   (c. 325 B.C.)   - offsite

14    * Notes of a meeting about the Ibis Cult   (172 B.C.)

15    * Names of dead persons, for blessing   (102 B.C.)


Background information

•   Dynasties XXI to XXXI : The rule of the foreigners

•   Transliteration and pronunciation of ancient Egyptian




Some other English translations of Ptolemaic decrees can be found elsewhere on this website.
Some other English translations of Demotic papyri can be found on the papyri.info website.
Translations of the Elephantine papyri (Hieratic, Aramaic, Demotic and Greek) are available online in PDF format.



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