Ancient Egyptian Scribes - (Bloomsbury Egyptology) by Niv Allon & Hana Navratilova (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The modern view of the ancient Egyptian world is often through the lens of a scribe: the trained, schooled, literate individual who was present at many levels of Egyptian society, from a local accountant to the highest echelons of society. And yet, despite the wealth of information the scribes left us, we know relatively little about what underpinned their world, about their mentality and about their everyday life.

Tracing ten key biographies, Ancient Egyptian Scribes examines how these figures kept both the administrative life and cultural memory of Egypt running. These are the Egyptians who ran the state and formed the supposedly meritocratic system of local administration and government. Case studies look at accountants, draughtsmen, scribes with military and dynastic roles, the authors of graffiti and literati who interacted in different ways with Pharaohs and other leaders. Assuming no previous knowledge of ancient Egypt, the various roles and identities of the scribes are presented in a concise and accessible way, offering structured information on their cultural identity and self-presentation, and providing readers with an insight into the making of Egyptian written culture.

Review Quotes

"An accessible volume, with some illustration, and a must-read for those interested in the lives of the ancient Egyptian 'literati'." --Ancient Egypt

"This monograph provides a valuable nuancing of our understanding of the scribe's role in Egyptian society. After a brief introduction and a prologue outlining the mechanics of writing in ancient Egypt, the bulk of the volume consists of ten chapters that are each biographies of "scribal" individuals of the New Kingdom. The individuals at the core of the study represent the broadest possible cross-section of scribal culture, including royals and artists alongside more traditional examples of scribal administrators. In this way, Allon and Navratilova explore the often conflicting uses of the term "scribe" in the context of elite self-presentation." --Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"A successful and entertaining presentation of ancient Egyptian literary experts. As an introduction it provides added value for students and also for the interested general reader." --Orientalistische Literaturzeitung (Bloomsbury Translation)

"A remarkable study of what it meant to be a scribe in ancient Egypt created by examining the records and monuments left by those who embraced the title. By investigating ten ancient lives, this work guides the contemporary reader through the many nuances of being a scribe - a member of the literate elite - in ancient Egypt." --Gerry D. Scott, Director of American Research Center in Egypt, Cairo

"Allon and Navratilova take readers on a New Kingdom journey, unrolling the lives of ten iconic Egyptians to reveal the true individuals between the lines and their elusive office. An absolute must-read." --Massimiliano S. Pinarello, Honorary Lecturer of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL, UK

About the Author

Niv Allon is Assistant Curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Hana Navratilova is an egyptologist and author of The Visitors' Graffiti of Dynasties XVIII and XIX in Abusir and Northern Saqqara (2007).