The Tale of the Two Brothers
Also known as: Anpu and Bata, D'Orbiney Tale, Tale of the Two Brothers
A Ramesside fairy-tale about two brothers, Anpu and Bata: a false accusation sunders them; the gods protect the innocent younger, whose heart is hidden in a cedar. Through death, metamorphoses, and royal intrigue, Bata is reborn and finally becomes king, restoring his bond with Anpu.
Description
Set in a pastoral household, the tale begins when Anpu’s wife attempts to seduce the younger brother, Bata. Spurned, she falsely accuses him. The sun god causes a crocodile-filled river to separate the brothers, and Bata departs to the Valley of the Cedar, placing his heart atop a blossom so life can be restored if it is found. At the gods’ behest, Khnum fashions a wife for Bata whose beauty draws the Pharaoh; she is taken to court and later urges the felling of the cedar, killing Bata by severing the tree. Anpu eventually finds and returns Bata’s heart, reviving him. Bata is reborn through a cycle of transformations—bull, persea trees, and finally a child—before ascending the throne. He names Anpu as heir, resolving the injustice and reuniting the brothers.
Historiography
Preserved chiefly on the Papyrus d'Orbiney in Late Egyptian, the narrative exhibits Ramesside literary style and fairy-tale motifs. The manuscript likely originated in a royal or elite scribal milieu; its language and themes echo other New Kingdom tales. Scholars have noted international motifs (the Potiphar’s wife type, prophetic Hathors, metamorphic rebirth) integrated with distinct Egyptian theology. Modern translations rely on the British Museum papyrus with philological restorations where lacunae occur.
Date Notes
Attested on Papyrus d'Orbiney (British Museum EA 10183), generally dated to the Ramesside period, likely the reign of Seti II.
Archetypes
Major Characters
- Anubis
- Bata
- Anubis' Wife
- Pharaoh
Myths
- The False Accusation against Bata
- Bata’s Heart and Rebirth
- Anubis’s Reconciliation with Bata
- The Pine Tree and Royal Destiny
Facts
- The tale is preserved in Late Egyptian on Papyrus d'Orbiney (British Museum EA 10183).
- It is commonly dated to the Ramesside period, probably under Seti II.
- Bata’s heart hidden in a cedar enables his magical resurrection.
- Khnum creates Bata’s wife at the gods’ command, highlighting divine craftsmanship.
- The Seven Hathors prophesy the wife’s death; prophecy drives later events.
- Motifs align with the international ‘Potiphar’s wife’ and metamorphic rebirth patterns.
- Bata’s successive forms—bull, trees, child—mark a cyclical life-death-renewal schema.
- The narrative is written in prose with embedded speeches and divine interventions.
- The conclusion installs Bata as king and Anpu as heir, restoring fraternal order.
- Language and style reflect New Kingdom literary culture and didactic undertones.