Reading Questions 1

Required: Fox and Millar, “Egyptian Wisdom” pages 323-333 (CCBWL); Beaulieu, “Mesopotamian Wisdom” (CCBWL)

1. What is the most common and long-running type of wisdom text in Egypt?
2. What is ma’at? What kinds of virtues could be described as “upholding ma’at”?
3. In the ancient Egyptian perspective, can everyone learn to be wise? How can they learn?
4. Why is it difficult to define what wisdom literature is in Mesopotamia?
5. What is the difference between Sumerian vs. Akkadian wisdom dialogues (also known as disputations or contests)?
6. What does “didactic” mean? What would be an example of a type of wisdom literature that is didactic?
7. What kind of situations do we see in Pious Sufferer texts, and what kind of relationship with the gods do people seem to have in these texts?