Week 4 Reading Diary : Egyptian Myths continued

This myth of two brother was full of shocking events. I like this story out of all stories from the reading. I was surprised and interested by how unfair two of them were living, Anpu, the older brother was enjoying a life of his with comfort and easiness while little brother, Bata, was providing every hard work for Anpu and his wife. ". It was Bata who drove the oxen to the field, it was he who ploughed the land, and it was he who harvested the grain. He laboured continually upon his brother's farm, and his equal was not to be found in the land of Egypt; he was imbued with the spirit of a god."

The thing that shocked me more in this story was how evil a wife of older brother was. It was her who said some evil words to Bata, and it was Bata who stayed loyal to his brother Anpu. But this woman was so evil and prideful, she would not accept the fact that she was rejected and decided to revenge on Bata with his own words. "The woman answered him: "No one came nigh me save thy younger brother. He spoke evil words unto me, and I said: 'Am I not as a mother, and is not thine elder brother as a father unto thee?' Then was he angry, and he struck me until I promised that I would not inform thee. . . . Oh I if thou wilt allow him to live now, I shall surely die."

I also love the part where animals, such as ox, was talking to Bata. "The first ox entered the byre, and then it spoke to Bata, saying: "Beware, for thine elder brother is standing behind the door. In his hand is a dagger, and he desires to slay thee. Draw not nigh unto him."

I thought it was tragic how Bata had to leave because of Anpu's wife. "Then Bata took his departure, and he went into the valley of the flowering acacia, which was across the ocean. His elder brother returned home. He lamented, throwing dust upon his head. He slew his wife and cast her to the dogs, and abandoned himself to mourning for his younger brother."

I would like to focus on the story where Bata did not have to leave becasue his brother trusted him rather just accuse of him.

(Ox from Angela Rutherford)

From Egyptian Myth by Mackenzie