The Complaints of Ipuwer

Part 7

Behold, the fire has gone up on high, and its burning goes forth against the enemies of the land. Behold, things have been done which have not happened for a long time past; the king has been deposed by the rabble. Behold, he who was buried as a falcon [is devoid] of biers, and what the pyramid concealed has become empty. Behold, it has befallen that the land has been deprived of the kingship by a few lawless men. Behold, men have fallen into rebellion against the Uraeus, the [. . .] of Re, even she who makes the Two Lands content. Behold, the secret of the land whose limits were unknown is divulged, and the Residence is thrown down in a moment. Behold, Egypt is fallen to pouring of water, and he who poured water on the ground has carried off the strong man in misery. Behold, the Serpent is taken from its hole, and the secrets of the Kings of Upper and Lower Egypt are divulged. Behold, the Residence is afraid because of want, and [men go about] unopposed to stir up strife. Behold, the land has knotted itself up with confederacies, and the coward takes the brave man’s property. Behold, the Serpent [. . .] the dead: he who could not make a sarcophagus for himself is now the possessor of a tomb. Behold, the possessors of tombs are ejected on to the high ground, while he who could not make a coffin for himself is now [the possessor] of a treasury. Behold, this has happened [to] men; he who could not build a room for himself is now a possessor of walls. Behold, the magistrates of the land are driven out throughout the land: [. . .] are driven out from the palaces. -deposed by the rabble: Lichtheim: robbed by beggars -Falcon: the pharaoh, son of Horus -pyramid: pyramids were built from the third dynasty to the Middle Kingdom. -lawless men: Lichtheim: people who ignore custom. Essentially, Egyptian law was customary law. -Uraeus: The snake symbol of the ruler, worn on pharaonic headdresses. -the [. . .] of Re: Lichtheim: Stolen] is the crown of Re -Serpent: Wilson: (guardian-)serpent -he who could not build a room for himself is now a possessor of walls: Lichtheim: He who did not build a hut is an owner of coffers. Behold, noble ladies are now on rafts, and magnates are in the labor establishment, while he who could not sleep even on walls is now the possessor of a bed. Behold, the possessor of wealth now spends the night thirsty, while he who once begged his dregs for himself is now the possessor of overflowing bowls. Behold, the possessors of robes are now in rags, while he who could not weave for himself is now a possessor of fine linen. Behold, he who could not build a boat for himself is now the possessor of a fleet; their erstwhile owner looks at them, but they are not his. Behold, he who had no shade is now the possessor of shade, while the erstwhile possessors of shade are now in the full blast of the storm. Behold, he who was ignorant of the lyre is now the possessor of a harp, while he who never sang for himself now vaunts the Songstress-goddess. Behold, those who possessed vessel-stands of copper [. . .] not one of the jars thereof has been adorned. -Behold, noble ladies are now on rafts, and magnates are in the labor establishment, while he who could not sleep even on walls is now the possessor of a bed: Wilson: Behold, nobles’ ladies are (now) gleaners, and nobles are in the workhouse. (But) he who never (even) slept on a plank is (now) the owner of a bed. Bedsteads were expensive furniture. Most people would have slept on the floor. -shade: Lichtheim: shelter -Songstress-goddess: goddess of music (Wilson) -vessel-stands: Most vessels had rounded bottoms and were placed on circular vessel-stands to prevent them from falling over. Lichtheim:offering-tables

Part 8

Behold, he who slept wifeless through want [finds] riches, while he whom he never saw stands making dole. Behold, he who had no property is now a possessor of wealth, and the magnate praises him. Behold, the poor of the land have become rich, and the [erstwhile owner] of property is one who has nothing. Behold, serving-men have become masters of butlers, and he who was once a messenger now sends someone else. Behold, he who had no loaf is now the owner of a barn, and his storehouse is provided with the goods of another. Behold, he whose hair is fallen out and who had no oil has now become the possessors of jars of sweet myrrh. Behold, she who had no box is now the owner of a coffer, and she who had to look at her face in the water is now the owner of a mirror. Behold, [. . .]. Behold, a man is happy eating his food. Consume your goods in gladness and unhindered, for it is good for a man to eat his food; God commands it for him whom He has favored [. . .]. [Behold, he who did not know] his god now offers to him with incense of another [who is] not known [to him]. [Behold,] great ladies, once possessors of riches, now give their children for beds. Behold, a man [to whom is given] a noble lady as wife, her father protects him, and he who has not [. . .] killing him. Behold, the children of magistrates are [ . . . the calves] of cattle [are given over] to the plunderers. -wifeless through want: Founding a household, which seems to have been almost synonymous with getting married required a modicum of wealth. -riches: Lichtheim: noblewoman -the poor of the land have become rich: In reality the poor do not become rich during social upheaval. -serving-men: Lichtheim: cooks Behold, priests transgress with the cattle of the poor [. . .]. Behold, he who could not slaughter for himself now slaughters bulls, and he who did not know how to carve now sees [. . .]. Behold, priests transgress with geese, which are given [to] the gods instead of oxen. Behold, maidservants [. . .] offer ducks; noblewomen [. . .]. Behold, noblewomen flee; the overseers of [. . .] and their [children] are cast down through fear of death. [Behold,] the chiefs of the land flee; there is no purpose for them because of want. The lord of [. . .]. -priests transgress with the cattle of the poor [. . .].: Lichtheim: the serfs eat beef, The paupers —— -priests transgress: Lichtheim: serfs eat -geese, which are given [to] the gods instead of oxen: Shortchanging and stealing from the gods was a mortal sin. I have not purloined offerings (Negative confessions)

Part 9

[Behold,] those who once owned beds are now on the ground, while he who once slept in squalor now lays out a skin-mat for himself. Behold, noblewomen go hungry, while the priests are sated with what has been prepared for them. Behold, no offices are in their right place, like a herd running at random without a herdsman. Behold, cattle stray and there is none to collect them, but everyone fetches for himself those that are branded with his name. Behold, a man is slain beside his brother, who runs away and abandons him to save his own skin. Behold, he who had no yoke of oxen is now the owner of a herd, and he who could find for himself no ploughman is now the owner of cattle. Behold, he who had no grain is now the owner of granaries, and he who had to fetch loan-corn for himself is now one who issues it. Behold, he who had no dependents is now an owner of serfs, and he who was [a magnate] now performs his own errands. Behold, the strong men of the land, the condition of the people is not reported [to them]. All is ruin! Behold, no craftsmen work, for the enemies of the land have impoverished its craftsmen. [Behold, he who once recorded] the harvest now knows nothing about it, while he who never ploughed [for himself is now the owner of corn; the reaping] takes place but is not reported. The scribe [sits in his office], but his hands [are idle] in it. Destroyed is [. . .] in that time, and a man looks [on his friend as] an adversary. The infirm man brings coolness [to what is hot . . .] fear [. . .. . .]. Poor men [. . . the land] is not bright because of it. -priests: king’s men (Wilson) -everyone fetches for himself those that are branded with his name: Wilson: Every man takes for himself and brands (them) with his name.

Part 10

Destroyed is [. . .] their food is taken from them [. . . through] fear of his terror. The commoner begs [. . .] messenger, but not [. . .] time. He is captured laden with goods and [all his property] is taken away. [. . .] men pass by his door [. . .] the outside of the wall, a shed, and rooms containing falcons. It is the common man who will be vigilant, the day having dawned on him without his dreading it. Men run because of [. . . for] the temple of the head, strained through a woven cloth within the house. What they make are tents, just like the desert folk. Destroyed is the doing of that for which men are sent by retainers in the service of their masters; they have no readiness. Behold, they are five men, and they say: “Go on the road you know, for we have arrived.” Lower Egypt weeps; the king’s storehouse is the common property of everyone, and the entire palace is without its revenues. To it belong emmer and barley, fowl and fish; to it belong white cloth and fine linen, copper and oil; to it belong carpet and mat, [. . .] flowers and wheat-sheaf and all good revenues . . . If the . . . it in the palace were delayed, men would be devoid [of . . .]. Destroy the enemies of the august Residence, splendid of magistrates [. . .] in it like [. . .]; the Governor of the City goes unescorted. Destroy [the enemies of the august Residence,] splendid [. . .]. [Destroy the enemies of] that erstwhile august Residence, manifold of laws [. . .]. [Destroy the enemies of] that erstwhile august [Residence . . .]. Destroy the enemies of that erstwhile august Residence [. . .] none can stand [. . .]. Destroy the enemies of that erstwhile august Residence, manifold of offices; indeed [. . .]. Remember to immerse [. . .] him who is in pain when he is sick in his body; show respect [. . .] because of his god that he may guard the utterance [. . .] his children who are witnesses of the surging of the flood.

Part 11

Remember to [. . . . . .]. . . shrine, to fumigate with incense and to offer water in a jar in the early morning. Remember [to bring] fat r-geese, trp-geese, and ducks and to offer god’s offerings to the gods. Remember to chew natron and to prepare white bread; a man [should do it] on the day of wetting the head. Remember to erect flagstaffs and to carve offering stones, the priest cleansing the chapels and the temple being plastered (white) like milk; to make pleasant the odor of the horizon and to provide bread-offerings. Remember to observe regulations, to fix dates correctly, and to remove him who enters on the priestly office in impurity of body, for that is doing it wrongfully, it is destruction of the heart [. . .] the day which precedes eternity, the months [. . .] years are known. Remember to slaughter oxen [. . .]. Remember to go forth purged [. . .] who calls to you; to put r-geese on the fire [. . .] to open the jar [. . .] the shore of the waters [. . .] of women [. . .] clothing [. . .. . .] to give praise . . . in order to appease you. [. . .] lack of people; come [. . .] Re who commands [. . .] worshipping him [. . .] West until [. . .] are diminished [. . .]. Behold, why does he seek to fashion [men . . .]? The frightened man is not distinguished from the violent one. -Remember: The things to remember are the duties of the priests, first among them the pharaoh as High Priest, to their gods. In accordance with the magical thinking of the day (and which still persists among many believers) the meticulous fulfilment of duties brings with it the favour of the gods and thus the well-being of the pious. -ducks: sat-geese (Wilson) -natron: used for cleaning teeth, cf. Personal hygiene and cosmetics -horizon: Lichtheim: sanctuary -impurity of body: Priest had to observe a number of rules, like removing hair, wearing white sandals made of reeds etc. -he: the creator god

Part 12

He brings coolness upon heat; men say: “He is the herdsman of mankind, and there is no evil in his heart.” Though his herds are few, yet he spends a day to collect them, their hearts being on fire.

Would that he had perceived their nature in the first generation; then he would have imposed obstacles, he would have stretched out his arm against them, he would have destroyed their herds and their heritage. Men desire the giving of birth, but sadness supervenes, with needy people on all sides. So it is, and it will not pass away while the gods who are in the midst of it exist. Seed goes forth into mortal women, but none are found on the road. Combat has gone forth, and he who should be a redresser of evils is one who commits them; neither do men act as pilot in their hour of duty. Where is he today? Is he asleep? Behold, his power is not seen.

If we had been fed, I would not have found you, I would not have been summoned in vain; “Aggression against it means pain of heart” is a saying on the lips of everyone. Today he who is afraid . . . a myriad of people; [. . .] did not see [. . .] against the enemies of [. . .] at his outer chamber; who enter the temple [. . .] weeping for him [. . .] that one who confounds what he has said . . . The land has not fallen [. . .] the statues are burned and their tombs destroyed [. . .] he sees the day of [. . .]. He who could not make for himself [. . .] between sky and ground is afraid of everybody. . . . if he does it . . . what you dislike taking.

Authority, knowledge, and truth are with you, yet confusion is what you set throughout the land, also the noise of tumult. Behold, one deals harm to another, for men conform to what you have commanded. If three men travel on the road, they are found to be only two, for the many kill the few. -herdsman: The metaphor of divine herdsman or shepherd is frequently used in Egyptian literature.

-their nature: The evil in man was either unintentional or it came into being shortly after creation. -their herds: Wilson: the seed thereof. Re would have destroyed his flawed creation had he known at the beginning. -heritage: Lichtheim: heirs

Part 13

Does a herdsman desire death? Then may you command reply to be made, because it means that one loves, another detests; it means that their existences are few everywhere; it means that you have acted so as to bring those things to pass. You have told lies, and the land is a weed which destroys men, and none can count on life. All these years are strife, and a man is murdered on his housetop even though he was vigilant in his gate lodge. Is he brave and saves himself? It means he will live. When men send a servant for humble folk, he goes on the road until he sees the flood; the road is washed out and he stands worried. What is on him is taken away, he is belabored with blows of a stick and wrongfully slain. Oh that you could taste a little of the misery of it! Then you would say [. . .] from someone else as a wall, over and above [. . .] hot . . . years . . . [. . .]. [It is indeed good] when ships fare upstream [. . . . . .] robbing them. It is indeed good [. . .]. [It is indeed] good when the net is drawn in and birds are tied up [. . .]. It is [indeed] good [. . .] dignities for them, and the roads are passable. It is indeed good when the hands of men build pyramids, when ponds are dug and plantations of the trees of the gods are made. It is indeed good when men are drunk; they drink myt and their hearts are happy. -that their existences are few: Lichtheim: reducing their numbers -Is he brave and saves himself? It means he will live: Lichtheim: . If he is brave he may save himself. Such is his life! -net is drawn in and birds are tied up: Bird netting was to some a leisure activity, to others a necessity. -build pyramids: an activity which had completely ceased by the New Kingdom.

Part 14

It is indeed good when shouting is in men’s mouths, when the magnates of districts stand looking on at the shouting in their houses, clad in a cloak, cleansed in front and well-provided within. It is indeed good when beds are prepared and the headrests of magistrates are safely secured. Every man’s need is satisfied with a couch in the shade, and a door is now shut on him who once slept in the bushes. It is indeed good when fine linen is spread out on New Year’s Day [. . .] on the bank; when fine linen is spread out and cloaks are on the ground. The overseer of [. . .] the trees, the poor [. . .. . .] in their midst like Asiatics [. . .]. Men [. . .] the state thereof; they have come to an end of themselves; none can be found to stand up and protect themselves [. . .]. Everyone fights for his sister and saves his own skin. Is it Nubians? Then will we guard ourselves; warriors are made many in order to ward off foreigners. Is it Libyans? Then we will turn away. The Medjay are pleased with Egypt. -well-provided within: firm-bellied (Wilson) -The Medjay are pleased with Egypt: The Madjoi fortunately are with Egypt. (Wilson); The Medjai are content with Egypt." (Lichtheim)

Part 15

How comes it that every man kills his brother? The troops whom we marshaled for ourselves have turned into foreigners and have taken to ravaging. What has come to pass through it is informing the Asiatics of the state of the land; all the desert folk are possessed with the fear of it. What the plebs have tasted [. . .] without giving Egypt over [to] the sand. It is strong [. . .] speak about you after years [. . .] devastate itself, it is the threshing floor which nourishes their houses [. . .] to nourish his children [. . .] said by the troops [. . . . . .] fish [. . .] gum, lotus leaves [. . .] excess of food. -foreigners and have taken to ravaging: Wilson: barbarians, beginning to destroy that from which they took their being. Foreigners were seen as agents of chaos. -What the plebs have tasted [. . .] without giving Egypt over [to] the sand: Lichtheim: The experience of the people is that they say: “Egypt will not be given over sand!”

Part 16

What Ipuwer said when he addressed the Majesty of the Lord of All: [. . .] all herds. It means that ignorance of it is what is pleasing to the heart. You have done what was good in their hearts and you have nourished the people with it. They cover their faces through fear of the morrow. That is how a man grows old before he dies, while his son is a lad of understanding; he does not open [his] mouth to speak to you, but you seize him in the doom of death [. . .] weep [. . .] go [. . .] after you, that the land may be [. . .] on every side.

Part 17

If men call to [. . .] weep [. . .] them, who break into the tombs and burn the statues [. . .] the corpses of the nobles [. . .. . .] of directing work. [1] Influenced by the revisionist historians of the second half of the 20th century who could not find any archaeological proofs for the historicity of the earlier Bible stories, their value as historical records came to be doubted. Before that time most Egyptologists, having grown up in the Christian West, accepted these accounts as being, at least in part, historically correct.