Egyptian Tales: Volume 1: Translated from the Papyri

Although some of Egypt’s most important archaeological finds were made in the late nineteenth century, at a time when historical fiction was popular, the literature of Egypt had reached very few English readers. Aiming to bring ancient Egypt to life in the public imagination, eminent archaeologist W. M. Flinders Petrie (1853-1942) published in 1895 this two-volume collection of original stories, accompanied by illustrations and helpful contextualising comments. The six stories of Volume 1 include elements of both fantasy and historical fact, spanning the period from the court of Khufu during the fourth dynasty to the death of Amenemhat I, founder of the twelfth. Shedding light on contemporary life and literature, the stories represent a valuable resource for Egyptologists and folklorists. Petrie’s rendering of the stories into English, based on translations of various papyri, remains accessible to all. Many more of his works, for both specialists and non-specialists, are also reissued in this series.