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The Story Of Sinuhe




The Story of Sinuhe is set in the time of the Pharaoh Amenemhat I , founder of the 12th Dynasty of Egypt , and is thus one of the oldest pieces of literature known. It may be likely that the tale is based on actual events, although there is great uncertainty amongst Egyptologist s as to this.

It opens with the death of Amenemhat, and recounts the experiences of Sinuhe who learns of a murder plot to prevent the succession of Senusret I , with whom he is returning from a military campaign in Libya . Sinuhe, fearing for his life, fails in his duty to Senusret and instead of denouncing the plot, flees the country. Upon entering Syria , he marries the daughter of a southern chieftain, who adopts him. He later rises to power and returns to Egypt at the invitation of Senusret I - who has survived the murder plot - and who forgives him and accepts him back into royal service.

The story formed part of the inspiration for the 1945 novel by Mika Waltari , and the 1954 Hollywood film epic, both titled '' The Egyptian '', which although set during the reign of 18th Dynasty pharaoh Akhenaten , features a lead character named Sinuhe who flees Egypt in disgrace, to return after achieving material success and personal redemption in foreign lands.


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