The Instructions of Amenemhat, also known as The Teaching of King Amenemhat I to His Son Senusret, is a literary work from ancient Egypt that belongs to the sebayt genre, characterized by the transmission of teachings and moral advice. This poem, written during the Middle Kingdom, takes the form of a dramatic monologue in which the spirit of Pharaoh Amenemhat I, assassinated in a conspiracy, addresses his son and successor, Senusret I, warning him about the dangers of betrayal and the need to rule with prudence and distrust.

Although the work has only come down to us through copies from the New Kingdom, its composition is indisputably attributed to the 12th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. Its purpose has been a subject of debate among Egyptologists: some argue that it was commissioned by Amenemhat I himself to justify the establishment of a co-regency with his son, while others believe it was written at the order of Senusret I to legitimize his succession after his father’s death.

The most complete testimony of this poem came from the Millingen Papyrus, dated to the 18th Dynasty, although it disappeared in the mid-19th century; fortunately, a handwritten copy has been preserved. This is complemented by the Ramesside Sallier II Papyrus, as well as fragments on papyrus, a leather strip, three wooden tablets, and numerous ostraca from Deir el-Medina. Since Wolfgang Helck’s fundamental edition in 1969, the number of textual witnesses has quadrupled, although many versions remain unpublished.

Instructions Amenemhat
Reproduction of the poem “The Instructions of King Amenemhat I”, in hieratic script. Credit: rowanwindwhistler / Wikimedia Commons

The poem begins with the typical presentation of Egyptian teachings, establishing the identity of the author, the recipient, and the narrative context. The deceased Amenemhat I addresses his son and heir, Senusret I, exhorting him to heed his advice now that he has ascended the throne: You will be king of the land. You will rule the banks of the Nile. You will multiply good deeds.

Next, the text takes on an admonitory tone, urging Senusret to be prudent and distrustful. In particular, he is warned against placing excessive trust in others, as not even his royal guard could prevent the attack his father suffered. Amenemhat emphasizes the ingratitude of those who received his favor, declaring that his kindness was not reciprocated with loyalty.

The work then describes the assassination attempt: It was after dinner, night had fallen. I granted myself a moment of rest in my bed, for I was weary. When my heart began to surrender to sleep, the weapons destined to protect me were raised against me.

Instructions Amenemhat
Statue of Amenemhat I in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Credit: Juan R. Lázaro / Wikimedia Commons

The pharaoh recounts that he was able to defend himself briefly but admits that he could not fight alone. He mentions that the attack occurred in the absence of his son, recalling the story of Sinuhe, which states that Senusret I was on a campaign in Libya when his father was attacked.

Amenemhat laments not having initiated his son into state affairs earlier: Look, the attack took place when you were not there. I had not made public that you would be my heir, I had not shared the throne with you.

The poem suggests that the attack may have been orchestrated by a conspiracy within the royal harem, an unprecedented event in Egyptian history. Amenemhat highlights his achievements as a monarch, emphasizing his justice and the prosperity he brought to Egypt. Finally, in his farewell words, he blesses his son and entrusts him with the protection of the wise men of his kingdom.

Instructions Amenemhat
Statue of Senusret I (British Museum). Credit: Avrand6 / Wikimedia Commons

Although the authorship of the text is uncertain, a later tradition attributes it to the scribe Khety (or Cheti), also known for the Teaching of Khety and the Hymn to the Nile. In the Chester Beatty IV Papyrus from the New Kingdom, he is mentioned as the most eminent of scribes and as the one responsible for having composed the teaching of King Sehetepibre (the throne name of Amenemhat I).

One of the most debated issues in Egyptology is whether Amenemhat I established a co-regency with his son Senusret I. Some specialists argue that, after a failed assassination attempt, the pharaoh instituted this practice to ensure dynastic stability, while others believe that the attack resulted in his death and that the poem was later commissioned by Senusret to legitimize his right to the throne.

Egyptian royal ideology conceived the pharaoh as a unique divine being, the earthly embodiment of the god Horus, which would make the existence of two simultaneous sovereigns inconceivable. However, the constant palace intrigues and the threat of usurpations may have driven the establishment of a co-regency to secure the dynastic transition.

Instructions Amenemhat
Ostracon with part of the poem of the “Instructions of Amenemhat I” (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). Credit: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

The Instructions of Amenemhat had a significant influence on later Egyptian literature and were widely copied during the New Kingdom. In the 8th century BCE, fragments of the text were adopted by Pharaoh Piye of the 25th Dynasty to legitimize his reign. Most notably, the poem was still being read in the 5th century BCE, more than 1,500 years after its composition, demonstrating its enduring relevance.

Throughout Egyptian history, the words attributed to Amenemhat I would be reused by successive monarchs to consolidate their own authority. His message on prudence, distrust, and caution in the exercise of power resonated with generations of scribes, nobles, and pharaohs, leaving an indelible legacy in the political and literary tradition of ancient Egypt.

Many centuries later, it would be one of the first texts read by Jean-François Champollion in his efforts to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs.

This article was first published on our Spanish Edition on February 10, 2025: Las “Instrucciones de Amenemhat”, el primer y único faraón que fue asesinado por una conspiración del harén real

SOURCES

The British Museum, A poem on papyrus

Adolf Erman, The ancient Egyptians : a sourcebook of their writings

E. Berkley, The Pharaohs and Their People

Lisa Sabbahy, Kingship, Power, and Legitimacy in Ancient Egypt

Wikipedia, Instrucciones de Amenemhat

  • Share on:

Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Follow LBV Magazine on Google News