3.96 avg rating — 57 ratings

"Written between the XXII—XXI BC. Also known as «The Debate Between a Man and his Soul».

Due to the philosophical nature of the work, it has attracted considerable attention of scholars and is widely considered one of the most important works of ancient Egyptian literature. It is considered the oldest extant written source dedicated to discussing the problem of suicide.

In this text, one constantly finds «I opened my mouth to my Ba», «my Ba told me», «my Ba opened my mouth to my Ba», which finds a parallel with the biblical: «I spoke — I am with my heart», «I let my heart investigate», etc."

3.78 avg rating — 188 ratings

"«The Sumerian Flood Story» (known as the «Eridu Genesis») was composed in the XXIII BC.

«Atra-Hasis» written in the XVIII BC.

It's the prehistory of the «Epic of Gilgamesh». It also includes interesting parallels with the Biblical plot."

3.75 avg rating — 119,344 ratings

"Written between the XXI–XIII BC. Also known as «Sha naqba īmuru» («He who Saw the Abyss»).

The epic is regarded as a foundational work in religion and the tradition of heroic sagas, with Gilgamesh forming the prototype for later heroes like Heracles (Hercules), and the epic itself serving as an influence for Homeric epics. Various themes, plot elements, and characters in the Hebrew Bible correlate with «The Epic of Gilgamesh» – notably, the accounts of the Garden of Eden, the advice from Ecclesiastes, and the Genesis flood narrative."

3.92 avg rating — 104 ratings

"«Harper's Songs» were probably written around the XX—XVI BC.

It resonates with individual fragments of the Akkadian «Epic of Gilgamesh» and the Hebrew «The books of Ecclesiastes», also talking about the impermanence of being and the need to enjoy life in spite of this.

«The Immortality of Writers» were probably written around the XIII—X BC.

It is an Ancient Egyptian wisdom text likely to have been used as an instructional work in schools. It is notable for its rationalist skeptical outlook, even more emphatic than in the «Harper's Songs», regarding an afterlife."

3.69 avg rating — 13 ratings

"Written between the XVIII—XIII BC.

The researchers draw attention to the parallels between the description of disasters in the «Ipuwer» and the biblical book of «Exodus», which tells about ten Egyptian executions. Some scholars also trace parallels with the book of «Ecclesiastes»."

3.50 avg rating — 2 ratings

"«Šimâ Milka» or «Hear the Advice» was written around XX—XVI BC.

After receiving the advice of the father, the son counters with a series of sayings that expose the uselessness of the father’s instructions. The father’s instructions are in fact pointless because death is fast approaching. Although one may possess wealth, as the son concludes, it will not hinder death’s arrival. His words engage with sim-ilar ideas expressed in «The Ballad of Early Rulers» and more poignantly in «Enlil and Namzitarra». Such a discourse can be recognized also in «The Epic of Gilgameš».

«The Ballad of Early Rulers» were composed around the XVIII—XVI BC.

All life is but a swivel of an eye. Even illustrious heroes of the past whose deeds are not surpassed and of whom the like are not born anymore eventually succumbed to death. Hence it is best to enjoy the present while it lasts and reject sorrow, because once death arrives it is eternal. Only your god truly is of everlasting life. This the fate of humanity.

As several scholars have already noted the general tone of «The Ballad of Early Rulers» and some of its specif i c lines bring to mind «Qohelet»."

3.71 avg rating — 7 ratings

"Written between the XVI–X BC. Also known as «An Akkadian dialogue on the unrighteousness of the world» or «The Babylonian Koheleth», «The Babylonian Ecclesiastes».

«The Babylonian Theodicy» is, with regards to its dialogic nature of a sufferer and friend(s), formally very similar to «The Book of Job»."

3.25 avg rating — 12 ratings

"Written at the end of the XIII BC. Also known as «The Poem of the Righteous Sufferer» or «The Babylonian Job».

The Poem is a hymn of thanksgiving to Marduk for recovery from illness"

3.80 avg rating — 20 ratings

"Presumably composed in the X BC. Also known as «Arad mitanguranni» («Slave, attend me»).

Interpretation of the Dialogue is divided. Some consider the Dialogue a theodicy. Others consider it a statement of life's absurdity, because there are no definitive right and wrong choices or reasons for action. The final stanza is therefore a logical outcome of this quandary, the choice of non-existence over existential futility. This has led recent interpreters to compare the Dialogue to modern existentialists such as Kierkegaard and Camus.

An opposing interpretation takes its cue from the slave's final cheeky retort, seeing the Dialogue as social satire. Religious satire may also be present in comments about the behaviour of the gods.

Parallels with the second-millennium Mesopotamian text the
«Ludlul bēl nēmeqi» and the biblical «Book of Ecclesiastes» suggest a third interpretation. The universe is indeed enigmatic, even seeming meaningless, but it may have some rationale known to the gods.

The dialogue also references Mesopotamian literature («The Epic of Gilgamesh») and has parallels with the Books of the Old Testament («Ecclesiastes», «Job»). A proverb appearing at the end of the dialogue has several biblical parallels, among which are the opening verse of the «Proverbs of Agur», «Deuteronomy» and «Job». There is also a parallel between these verses and Version A of «Bilgames and Huwawa». "

4.71 avg rating — 7 ratings

"Written between the VII—IV BC.

The Book of Job is an investigation of the problem of divine justice. Several texts from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt offer parallels to Job, and while it is impossible to tell whether the author of Job was influenced by any of them, their existence suggests that the author was the recipient of a long tradition of reflection on the existence of inexplicable suffering."

it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings

"Written between the V—III BC.

Ecclesiastes has had a deep influence on Western literature. It contains several phrases that have resonated in British and American culture, such as «eat, drink and be merry», «nothing new under the sun», «a time to be born and a time to die», and «vanity of vanities; all is vanity». The book belongs to the category of wisdom literature, the body of biblical writings which give advice on life, together with reflections on its problems and meanings, — other examples include the Book of Job, Proverbs, and some of the Psalms."