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476
HOOFDARTIKELEN
A NEW EDITION OF THE BOOK OF NUT
DAVID KLOTZ, Yale University
Abstract
Review of the most recent edition of the cosmographic composition the Book of Nut,*) a detailed outline of the movements of
the sun, decan stars, and other celestial bodies, recounted within a
mythological framework. First attested in the Osireion of Sety I at
Abydos, this important text is attested in Pharaonic tombs as well
as on Hieratic and Demotic papyri of the Roman Period, several
of which are published for the first time. While the new parallels
greatly advance our understanding of the Book of Nut, the difficult
hieroglyphic texts, partially composed in enigmatic writing, still
invite further study.
*
) Review article of: LIEVEN, A. von The Carlsberg Papyri 8.
Grundriss des Laufes der Sterne. Das sogenannte Nutbuch. Vol. I: Text;
Vol. II: Tafeln. (CNI Publications 31). Museum Tusculanum Press, Copenhagen, 2007. (Vol. I: 30,5 cm, 463; Vol. II: 40 cm, 25 Tafeln). ISBN
978-87-635-0406-5. ISSN 0907-8118; 0902-5499. / 121,-.
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477
95014_Bior_2011_5-6_01.indd 470
478
(2) The synoptic edition has a confusing layout. All hieroglyphic and Hieratic examples are reproduced in typeset
hieroglyphs, without transliteration. Since PC1 employs both
hieratic and demotic, the A. presents a transliteration of the
demotic and a transcription of the hieratic into hieroglyphs.
This approach has its advantages, as it allows one to distinguish between the original text and the demotic annotations.
However, the resulting reading experience is awkward: to
read a section of PC 1 one must first consult the demotic text
in vol. 2, find the corresponding transliteration in the synoptic edition, move backwards to the translation (where the
transliteration is not repeated), and then skip forward to the
separate commentary section.
Moreover, the lack of transliteration for the non-Demotic
sections leaves readers wondering how precisely the A. interprets difficult passages. This omission is vexing for unusual
orthographies peculiar to late hieratic texts, none of which
are discussed in the section on transcribing late hieratic (pp.
35-36). Since no transliteration is provided, brief explanatory
notes could have been useful for non-specialists.
13:
The A. translates this group as Rebellen without further
comment; apparently this is to be transliterated sb.w
(<
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479
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480
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481
482
and
(p. 47, n. 167). However, the examples from P.
Leiden T 32 and variants which the A. mentions can hardly
result from the same confusion, as they omit the r completely
118:
The A. claims this section ist stark korrompiert, vermutlich
, and they only make sense if the first sign has the
phonetic value b < b.
aus
(p. 89, n. 484). Neither
wurde aus verlesen,
of these signs need be corrupt, as they both are attested in
other cryptographic texts.25) The same observation applies to
6:
The A. read this phrase as py=s y.t, Ihr Aufgang (p. 50,
n. 193) but noted elsewhere that the resulting grammatical
form is peculiar (pp. 32, 271). The A. does not remark upon
the use of the eye-sign to write y (< r.t). While that value is
rarely attested in the Ptolemaic Period,19) it does not occur
elsewhere in the corpus of New Kingdom cryptography. The
unproblematic reading proposed by Erik Hornung, but hastily dismissed by the A., is thus to be retained: p=s, r.t,
when she flies up, the eye appears.
50, where
and
for bk, falcon.
0:
The A. makes the reasonable case that these orthographies
30:
Based on PC1, the A. suggests substituting the chick for
, , Kken or Nestlinge
a similar sign to obtain
(p. 58, n. 257). This proposal is reasonable,20) although not
supported by other examples.21) Similarly based on PC1,
one might read this entire section as: m dw.t, sw R pr=f,
() the child in the Morning. Re comes forth,22) rather
than Ein Kken(?), wenn Re sich zeigte(?), indem er
herauskommt (TA, m di.n sw a, pr=f).
69: (S)
(R)
The A. reads: Er tritt ein in sie (q=f r=s), without explaining the arm in the Sety I version. One might translate instead:
he enters into her (Nuts) mouth (q=f m r=s) (cf. 55),
with the arm = m.23)
135:
In both examples the A. reads: pr b.w, the Bas come
forth (discussed briefly on p. 31). This translation is clearly
based on PC1, but the A. does not mention that the value pr
is not attested for the goose or any other birds. The verb in
the hieroglyphic versions is most likely p, to fly up
(with substitution of birds) a translation appropriate for the
19
) This value is not popular, and possibly limited to foreign names: J.
Quaegebeur, Documents Concerning a Cult of Arsinoe Philadelphos at
Memphis, JNES 30 (1971), p. 248, n. f.
20
) The A. claims the two signs are interchangeable, but provides no
references. One example of this substitution (G 47 for G 43) may occur in
. Drioton, Inscription nigmatique du tombeau de Chchanq III Tanis,
Kmi 12 (1952), pp. 28, 30, but the reading there is far from certain.
21
) The A. claims that this designation ist ja auch sonst belegt
and refers to the Commentary (p. 58, n. 257), but the relevant section
provides no parallels or references (p. 141). The examples of , chick,
recorded in LGG VII, 447-448, have little in common with the present
context.
22
) Reading: d + n > dw.t, morning. The first sign (X8) has the
value dw in Duat (Wb. V, 415, 3); the water sign (N35) is securely
attested as t < t (J.C. Darnell, The Enigmatic Netherworld Books, p. 54,
n. 90; M. Mller-Roth, Das Buch vom Tage, p. 458).
23
) J.C. Darnell, The Enigmatic Netherworld Books, p. 190, n. 111;
D.A. Werning, in C. Peust (ed.), Miscellanea in honorem Wolfhart
Westendorf, p. 139; D. Kurth, Einfhrung ins Ptolemische, I, p. 188,
n. 281.
95014_Bior_2011_5-6_01.indd 472
138:
The A. claims: S hat irrig im statt is (p. 93, n. 517). Simple interchange of birds (e.g. for a goose, s < s) is an equally
plausible explanation.26)
Further enigmatic values occur throughout the text, without
any comment in the chapter on cryptography or in the textual
commentary:
49, 131 (possibly 110): = n
The A. does not discuss this remarkable orthography of n
which implies the phonetic equivalence w ~ . Even if one
compares Coptic wn (Iwnw) and wn# (n), the present
examples demonstrate that the ayin may have weakened
already by the New Kingdom, so that both w and could
represent a similar vowel. Since Egyptian ayin is believed
by some scholars to represent /d/ until the early Middle
Kingdom, this particular orthography may provide yet
another terminus post quem for the composition.
116, 120, x+76, etc.:
=r
This cryptographic value is peculiar to the Book of Nut. The
A. suggests it might reflect a hypothetical Old Kingdom pronunciation, when Egyptian ayin actually represented consonantal /d/, which in the Middle Kingdom may have been
equivalent to a trilled /r/ (p. 32). This ingenious interpretation
ignores a simpler proposal suggested by J.C. Darnell, The
Enigmatic Netherworld Books, pp. 235-236, n. 270 (ayin
and r both similar to Semitic ghayin). Alternatively, there
might be a general equivalence: r ~w ~ (all sounding like
e), as in wn = n (cf. supra).
139, 142:
(rr sm.t=f)
(sm sb)
This orthography for sm, which appears to write pigmother, alludes to the theme of Nut devouring her children.
The A. comments on the obvious thematic cryptography in
this section (pp. 32-33, 94, n. 518), but does not bother to
explain its derivation: s (< s, pig) + m (mw.t).27)
24
) The same verb occurs in a similar text (Chr. Leitz, Tagewhlerei I,
gAb 55 [Wiesbaden, 1994], pp. 38, 40), but the A. dismisses any apparent
connections between the two passages as problematisch (p. 170).
25
) For n = , see Chr. Zivie-Coche, Miscellanea Ptolemaica, in P.
Der Manuelian (ed.), Studies in Honor of William Kelly Simpson, II (Boston, 1996), pp. 869-870; D. Kurth, Einfhrung ins Ptolemische, I, p. 422,
n. 121; Dendara XV, 14, 11 and 12. For the second value (probably
derived from D41, which writes nw/nw) see J.C. Darnell, The Enigmatic
Netherworld Books, p. 118, n. 374.
26
) The converse value (goose = m) is attested in the New Kingdom:
M. Mller-Roth, Das Buch vom Tage, p. 457.
27
) The writing is discussed by J.C. Darnell, The Enigmatic Netherworld
Books, p. 32.
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483
= wty
130:
The reading is self-explanatory, but the alternation between
and
is noteworthy.28)
140:
Based on the parallel in PC1 (nw t p.t r nfr), the A. translated the first group as den Himmel befahren bis zum Aufhren (p. 94), without commenting on the second sign. This
probably reads nw m p.t, sailing within heaven, with the
d-arm writing m (< m, give).29)
x+75:
The new parallel in PC 228 confirms that this group should
read zp-tpy, first moment, as indeed the A. already recognized (p. 107). The exceptional use of db > tpy, first,
merits a brief mention.30)
Translation and Commentary
The preceding comments aside, the translation is generally
reliable and the commentary can be incisive and original; the
Reviewer genuinely learned much from the perceptive discussions. Nonetheless, the Nut Book remains a difficult text,
and the translation of numerous passages could be improved.
Since Christian Leitz recently discussed many of the astronomical interpretations at length,31) the following comments
are restricted to philological problems.
0:
The term khr.t (eine Vornbergebeugte(?), p. 47, n. 160)
actually occurs in a number of Roman Period hieroglyphic
texts from Thebes, and apparently designates the northern
sky.32)
2, 4, 77a:
The text locates two obscure regions at the edges of the sky
in total darkness, rt-qb.t (South), and srq-ty.t (North?;
discussed on pp. 126-128). These might be the Egyptian
names for the mysterious symbols which appear behind the
king in running scenes:
and
.33) Such scenes usually
have a cosmic significance (e.g. the king running around the
entire world), and these emblems occur in conjunction with
the signs depicting the two halves of the sky (
).
3:
In the Demotic text (PC1, 1, 18), the A. reads: [r] tm d.t
sm sb.t r=s, [ um] nicht zuzulassen, da die Lehre zu ihr
gelangt (pp. 49-50, n. 188). Rather than sb.t, Lehre, one
28
) J.C. Darnell, The Enigmatic Netherworld Books, pp. 259-260; D.
Werning, in C. Peust (ed.), Miscellanea in honorem Wolfhart Westendorf,
p. 139.
29
) Also suggested by D. Kurth, Einfhrung ins Ptolemische, I, p. 190,
n. 336.
30
) See recently D. Werning, The Sound Values of the Signs Gardiner
D1 (Head) and T8 (Dagger), LingAeg 12 (2004), pp. 198-199.
31
) Chr. Leitz, Zu einigen astronomischen Aspekten im sogennanten
Nutbuch oder Grundri des Laufes der Sterne, Enchoria 31 (2008/9),
pp. 1-21.
32
) Chr. Thiers, Le ciel septentrional ghr.t et le ciel mridional gb.t,
ENIM 2 (2009), pp. 53-58.
33
) For these symbols, see Cl. Traunecker, et al., La chapelle dAchris
Karnak, II (Paris, 1981), pp. 53-54; Chr. Favard-Meeks, Le temple de
Behbeit el-Hagar (Hamburg, 1991), pp. 218-219, n. 935.
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484
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485
9, 104:
Contrary to the A.s critique (p. 252, n. 1377), the phrase z
r t, descend to the ground, finds a direct parallel in the
autobiography of Harchebi of Buto, col. 3, which can be
translated: One who knows about all things, whether it be
visible in heaven, or descended to the earth (z.n=f r t; i.e.
the invisible, deceased decan stars); expert in their illumination and their extinguishing (ssA nf=sn n sm=sn).39) The
verb z r, to wait for (something), would make little sense
in Harchebi statue, as it is followed by the word t, earth.
10:
S.
M.
The A. read: So (?) er sich auf (?), rejecting any connection with the verb r, to ascend (p. 51, n. 196). Alternatively, this group word might write rr, to achieve, accomplish; to supply.40) Since the term first occurs in Late
Egyptian, the phonetic group writing orthography is not
unexpected; the determinative would derive from r,
horned animal.41) This passage could refer to the newborn
Re being supplied with a new physical body, as in other
solar texts.42)
17:
The A. translates the idiomatic phrase wb=f np=f as Er
ffnet seine Fruchtblase, citing only a suggestion by J.F.
Quack (p. 53, n. 210). This interpretation is pure conjecture,
as there is absolutely no evidence that np means amniotic
sac. This idiomatic phrase literally means to open up the
potters wheel, and thus to begin work on a piece of clay,
suitable for the beginning of creation.43) At the same time,
the combination of wb and np evokes two solar terms,
wbn, to rise, and nhp, early morning.
18:
The A. discusses the connections between Osiris and water,
but assumes it is only a late phenomenon (p. 135). In fact,
this theme occurs already in the Pyramid Texts.44)
18-19, 23-24 (pp. 135-139):
For Res purification in the arms of his father, Osiris, see
also J.C. Darnell, The Enigmatic Netherworld Books,
pp. 391-392, who already discussed this section of the Nut
39
) For the final phrase, see K. Jansen-Winkeln, Beitrge zu den Privatinschriften der Sptzeit, ZS 125 (1998), p. 10.
40
) Wb. I, 205, 15-18; R. Caminos, Late-Egyptian Miscellanies, p.
452[1]; L.H. Lesko, A Dictionary of Late Egyptian, I, p. 72. This verb may
be related to Coptic lale / loole, to cover; overlay (with silver or
gold), and Demotic rr, to work (copper); cf. W. Westendorf, Koptisches Handwrterbuch (Heidelberg, 1965-1977), p. 78; CDD , p. 97.
41
) D. Meeks, AL I, 77.0692; D. Klotz, Two Studies on the Late Period
Temples at Abydos, BIFAO 110 (2010), p. 148, n. c.
42
) In Urk. VIII, 142 (4), Amun smelted his physical body as an august
child (w.n=f .t=f m y sps). Similarly, Osorkon is said to be supplied
with a body (n(.w)=f m .t) at his birth; K. Jansen-Winkeln, Inschriften
der Sptzeit, II, 188, 8 (col. 4); R. Caminos, The Chronicle of Prince
Osorkon, 126, n. (ff).
43
) C. Manassa, The Late Egyptian Netherworld, I, pp. 177-180.
44
) J. Assmann, Das Leichensekret des Osiris: zur kultischen Bedeutung des Wassers im alten gypten, in N.-Chr. Grimal, et al. (eds.), Hommages Fayza Haikal, BdE 138 (Cairo, 2003), pp. 8-10.
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486
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487
46:
The New Kingdom versions state that the stars rest in
the Duat (S) and in Heliopolis (R). The A. wonders:
Sollte hier Heliopolis (bzw. genauer ein dort befindliches
Heiligtum) als nchtlicher Aufenthalt der Sonne intendiert
sein? (p. 145). A number of texts locate the entrance to
the Duat in Heliopolis,46) and Heliopolitan toponyms feature prominently in the Amduat and other underworld
books.47)
56, 69: wb m-t sqdd=f
(var.
The A. read the first example: Danach geht (er) hervor und
fhrt dahin in ihrem Inneren (p. 72), but the grammar is not
as problematic as n. 340 suggests. Understand: narrative
infinitive (wb) + compound preposition (m-t) + nominal
sm=f (sqdd=f); essentially an adverbial sentence (A + preposition + B). Literally, one can read: the opening up (of the
potters wheel) is after his sailing; or more naturally: (he)
opens up (the potters wheel) after sailing. This translation
is not only grammatically preferable, but it accurately corresponds to the sequence of the solar cycle: Re enters the
Duat through Nuts mouth (55), and then exits the womb
(opens the potters wheel) after sailing through her
body.48)
In both examples, the A. assumes that m in the prepostion
m-nw is written twice, zunchst im Klartext, danach
kryptographisch (p. 72, n. 342). Instead, the first m should
represent the adverb m, thence, referring back to Nuts
mouth (55; 69); m-nw=s refers to the Duat, as in 55.
89: n =n n m.tw=n
The A. suggests: Emendiere zu m.tw=sn (p. 80, n. 404).
No correction is necessary, as both phrases are examples of
the sm.n(w) passive identified by E. Edel, Die Herkunt des
neugyptisch-koptischen Personalsuffixes der 3. Person Plural w, ZS 84 (1959), p. 33, who already discussed this
passage (not mentioned by the A.).
96:
The A. corrects the last group to the third person plural suffix-pronoun: (So stritt Geb mit Nut), weil er zornig war
wegen des sie Fressens (r wnm=sn), arguing that this
emendation is necessary (p. 81, n. 410). Alternatively, one
can simply read this as a relative: he was angry because of
those whom she ate (wnm.w=s).
116, 132:
Both passages discuss the bones (qs.w) of the decan stars
which fall to the earth (116) and transform into people
(132), just as their tears become fish (117). The A. translates the first instance as Knochen, (p. 89), but the latter
as bel (qsn) (p. 92), and states that this reading is Ein46
) E.g. G. Posener, Le Papyrus Vandier (Cairo, 1985), pp. 54-55; note
also that the Ogdoad enter the underworld in Heliopolis before travelling to
Medinet Habu: Opet I, 27; Urk. VIII, 95c; 145i; Deir Chelouit I, 31, 10.
47
) C. Manassa, The Late Egyptian Netherworld, I, pp. 424-440.
48
) Since the translation jumbles the sequence of events, the A. is
erstaunt that the verb wb would be used to describe the entrance into
the Netherworld (p. 150). Instead, the entrance occurs in 55 with the
expected verb (q m n nr pn), the exit in 56.
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488
as the A. sug-
x+9:
Since r-w is a compound meaning night (Wb. III, 226,
2), one could simply translate: (until) night arrives (spr
r-w). The general sense of x+7-9 is: Sailing in the day
bark (mn.t), which is visible (m m=s) from dawn, when
Re appears, (until) evening arrives.
Here as in other places, the A. appears to be unfamiliar
with the narrative use of the infinitive (cf. Gardiner, EG
306, 2), preferring to break the section into terse disconnected statements or captions: In der Mandjetbarke Dahinfahren. In ihr Sehen bei Sonnenaufgang, wenn Re sich zeigt.
Die Nacht ber Ankommen(?) (p. 98).
Grammar
Translating the Middle Egyptian versions of the text, the
A. pays surprisingly little attention to grammar, particularly regarding verbal morphology and syntax. 49) For
example, most nominal sm=f (mrr=f) forms are translated
as simple indicative present tenses, whether emphasizing
an adverbial adjunct or forming a Wechselsatz.50) This
disregard for verbal nuances is inexcusable for the present
text, since the scribe of PC1 accurately transposed the
grammar accurately into Demotic, a feature which Richard
Parker discussed in detail over half a century ago!51) While
the A. briefly acknowledges the latter article (p. 262), it
is only to retort that the later scribes might not have
always understood the earlier verbal forms properly
without providing any examples of such confusion in PC1
or elsewhere. It is as if the A. assumed even the New Kingdom scribes were incapable of understanding the original
grammar, and thus did not pay close attention to the verbal
system.
49
) This might be explained by the A.s decision to translate the New
Kingdom and Roman Period versions together as a single ideal text, except
when there are major variants (pp. 45-46); the A. appears to prefer the
grammar of the late papyri, although one would expect the oldest Middle
Egyptian copies to take precedence in a critical edition.
50
) For ignored examples of the Nominal sm=f, see 55, 56, 57, 68,
69, 85, 90. In addition, the A. curiously translates most examples of the
perfective sm.n=f in the present indicative tense; e.g. 111, 118, 133,
136.
51
) R.A. Parker, The Function of the Imperfective sm.f in Middle
Egyptian, RdE 10 (1955), pp. 49-59.
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489
Conclusions
The present review has dwelt largely upon the difficult hieroglyphic text of the Osireion and the various problems in the
A.s translation, particularly regarding grammar and cryptography. This emphasis is largely because the A. spends much time
in the concluding chapters discussing the original date of the
text. After a long and well-researched methodological introduction about the Egyptian language and archaizing texts (pp.
223ff), the A. concludes that Egyptians of the Late Period were
incapable of correctly understanding earlier texts, much less
producing new compositions in older stages of the language.
For the A., archaisms do not exist in Egypt; when relics of
Old or Middle Egyptian occur in later texts, they must be direct
quotations, pieced together via a patchwork technique.
A detailed discussion of this polemic on textual transmission and archaisms would far exceed the present review.52)
It is ironic, however, that the A. does not distinguish between
Middle Egyptian verbal forms, yet repeatedly questions the
ability of Late Period scribes to do the same. The negative
estimation of scribal competence is difficult to accept, given
the As previous attempts to translate Roman Period inscriptions,53) not to mention the philological problems in the present book. The A. compares these priests and scribes to modern Germans reading Hochdeutsch with only passive
Lesekompetenz (p. 258). Yet Egyptians of the Late Period
immersed themselves in Old and Middle Egyptian hieroglyphic and hieratic texts; they recited them in daily liturgies
and rituals, they actively copied ancient monuments on
papyri, recarved earlier inscriptions during renovations, and
imitated biographical, historical, literary, funerary, and temple texts in their private monuments.
It is absurd to argue that scribes of the Graeco-Roman
Period, many of whom mastered Demotic, Greek, hieratic and
hieroglyphs, were incapable of distinguishing between sm=f
and sm.n=f in the earlier inscriptions, or of realizing that Late
Egyptian texts (i.e. Ramesside and Third Intermediate Period)
were not as old as the Old and Middle Kingdoms especially
when the Demotic grammar of PC1 demonstrates the opposite.
The A. devotes considerable attention to establishing the
textual history of the Nut Book (pp. 37-44, 223-254). Since
numerous indications point towards the Middle Kingdom
(e.g. the repeated use of -t.wy to write nw [p. 33]; the
position of the decan stars [p. 42]), the A. assumes the book
was first compiled out of disparate sources in the Twelfth
Dynasty, with certain portions going back to the Old Kingdom (pp. 42-44, 251-254). The latter assertion is intentionally provocative, but the textual evidence is quite flimsy:
Apparent examples of the Nominal sentence AB pw are
typisch altgyptische (p. 251, no supporting references). Both examples actually appear to be parenthetic
glosses introduced by pw (e.g. 15: Kenmet and AbShetwy live (that means: Horus lives), rather than:
52
) Nonetheless, see D. Kurth, Zur Definition des Ptolemischen, GM
229 (2011), pp. 65-79, for a rebuttal against recent arguments that that all
Graeco-Roman temple inscriptions are mere copies, and that Ptolemaic
scribes were incapable of producing original texts in good Middle Egyptian; cf. also S. Cauville, Dendara XV, pp. 6-7.
53
) A. von Lieven, Der Himmel ber Esna: eine Fallstudie zur
religisen Astronomie in gypten am Beispiel der kosmologischen Deckenund Architravinschriften im Tempel von Esna, gAb 64 (Wiesbaden,
2000); see the very critical review by D. Kurth, OLZ 99 (2004), pp. 25-34.
95014_Bior_2011_5-6_01.indd 476
490
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491
492
59
) Notable is the A.s translation of the composition: Grundri des
Laufes der Sterne (t sn sm.t nt sb.w) (pp. 125-126). The Egyptian phrase
literally translates to Blueprint of the Movement of the Stars and refers to
the actual Nut Book, a two-dimensional representation of the celestial circuit.
However, the A. understands the term sn in an extended sense, just like German Grundri (cf. A. von Lieven, Translating the Fundamentals of the
Course of the Stars, in A. Imhausen, T. Pommerening (eds.), Writings of
Early Scholars in the Ancient Near East, Egypt, Rome, and Greece [Berlin,
2010], pp. 139-150), noting only one example for such a meaning, namely the
Book of the Fayyum, another artistic rendering of a physical space (p. 125).
60
) One might compare the similar practice of keeping commentary tablets alongside copies of older omen texts in Babylonian archives of the first
millennium BCE; e.g. E. Frahm, Royal Hermeneutics: Observations on the
Commentaries from Assurbanipals Libraries at Nineveh, Iraq 66 (1994),
pp. 46-50.
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