Za-Nehet

Story of Sinuhe

Author

Unknown

Language

Middle Egyptian

Year

oldest extant copy dated c. 1800 BCE

Country

Ancient Egypt

Genre

Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem

ancient worldepics

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📷1 photo

The Story of Sinuhe, also referred to as the Story of Sanehat or Sanhath, is a work of ancient Egyptian literature. It was likely composed in the beginning of the Twelfth Dynasty after the death of Amenemhat I and the ascention of Senusret I as sole pharaoh. The tale describes an Egyptian man who flees his kingdom, and lives as a foreigner before returning to Egypt shortly before his death. It explores universal themes such as divine providence and mercy. The oldest known copy of the text dates to the reign of Amenemhat III, around 1800 BC. The work was so popular within Egypt that newer copies have been found ranging up to 750 years after the original.