The Story of the Two Brothers: A Guide to the Tale of Bata and Anubis

FAQs: Deep Dive into the Tale

1. Is the “Tale of Bata and Anubis” based on real historical figures?

While the names Anubis and Bata are those of Egyptian deities, the story is considered a work of literary fiction or mythology rather than a historical record. However, it reflects the social reality of the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE). During this time, the cult of the bull-god Bata was prominent in the 17th Nome of Upper Egypt. The story likely served to link local folklore with the grander Osirian myths that defined the Egyptian state.

2. How does this story compare to the Biblical story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife?

The parallels are striking and often discussed by historians. In both stories:

• A loyal young man is approached by the wife of his master (or brother).
• The man rejects the advances based on moral integrity and loyalty.
• The woman, fearing exposure, falsely accuses the man of the very crime she attempted.
• The man suffers initial punishment or exile but eventually rises to a position of great power (King/Vizier).

This suggests that the “Seductress” motif was a common literary device across the ancient Near East, used to test the hero’s character before his transformation.

3. What is the significance of the “External Heart”?

The concept of Bata placing his heart on a cedar flower is a very early example of the “Soul in the Egg” or “External Soul” motif. This symbolizes that Bata’s physical body was merely a vessel. His true essence—his Ka or Ba—was stored safely in nature. This mirrors the Egyptian practice of mummification, where the body is preserved to ensure the soul has a home, but the story takes it a step further into the realm of magic.

4. Why did Bata perform self-mutilation?

This is one of the more jarring parts of the story for modern readers. In the context of the narrative, Bata’s act of emasculation was a radical proof of innocence. By physically removing the possibility of being a “lover,” he proved to Anubis that his wife’s accusations were biologically and morally impossible. It also signaled Bata’s transition from a “man of the world” to a supernatural being capable of divine transformation.

5. What does the “Valley of the Cedar” represent?

In ancient Egyptian geography, the “Valley of the Cedar” (often identified as Lebanon or the Phoenician coast) represented the edge of the well-mannered world. To the Egyptians, anything outside the Nile Valley was a place of chaos and magic. By moving there, Bata entered a “liminal space”—a doorway between the human world and the world of the gods where physical laws (like staying dead) no longer applied.

Literary Themes and Structural Analysis

The Symbolism of Water and Beer

Notice how liquids act as messengers in the story. The lock of hair travels via the Nile, and the sign of Bata’s death is a change in the Beer. For Egyptians, the Nile was the lifeblood of the earth, and beer was the staple of daily life. When these elements are “corrupted” or carry messages, it indicates that the natural order has been disrupted.

The Role of the “Talking Cattle”

The cows who warn Bata are not just fairy-tale elements. In Egyptian religion, the bull and the cow were sacred symbols of fertility and protection. By having the cattle speak, the scribe Ennana (the author of the papyrus) shows that Bata is in perfect harmony with Ma’at. Even nature itself will rise to protect the righteous man against human lies.

Final Summary of the Scribe’s Intent

The scribe Ennana, who signed the Papyrus D’Orbiney, likely wrote this for a royal audience—possibly during the reign of Seti II. The story reinforces a specific message: Truth is indestructible. No matter how many times the “villain” (the wife) attempts to bury Bata, he returns in a more glorious form—first as a bull, then as a tree, and finally as a King.

Historical Context: The Scribes and the Pharaohs

To truly understand the weight of The Story of the Two Brothers, we must look at the physical object itself. The Papyrus D’Orbiney is not just a transcript; it is a luxury artifact.

The Scribe Ennana

The manuscript was signed by the scribe Ennana, a high-ranking official who lived during the late 19th Dynasty. This was a time of political transition in Egypt. Interestingly, many scholars believe the story might be a political allegory. During the reign of Seti II and the usurper Amenmesse, the Egyptian court was filled with betrayal and shifting loyalties. Consequently, the story of a “rightful heir” being wronged and eventually reclaimed could be a subtle commentary on the royal succession of the time.

The Language of the New Kingdom

The text is written in Late Egyptian, the vernacular language of the New Kingdom. Unlike the formal Middle Egyptian used for religious monuments, Late Egyptian allowed for more fluid, emotional, and descriptive storytelling. This linguistic shift is why The Story of the Two Brothers feels more “modern” and readable compared to older texts like the Pyramid Texts.

Related Resources and Academic Bibliography

For readers, students, and researchers looking to verify the details of The Story of the Two Brothers, the following resources are the gold standard in Egyptology:

Primary Source

• The Papyrus D’Orbiney (British Museum, EA 10183): The original scroll, measuring nearly 5 meters in length. It was purchased by the British Museum in 1857 from Elizabeth D’Orbiney.

Recommended Reading & Translations

• Lichtheim, Miriam (2006). Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume II: The New Kingdom. University of California Press. (This is considered the most authoritative English translation of the text).
• Simpson, William Kelly (2003). The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry. Yale University Press.
• Brunner-Traut, Emma (1989). Altägyptische Märchen. (Crucial for those looking for the Germanic folklore connections to the tale).

Final Checklist for the Reader

As you finish this guide to The Story of the Two Brothers, keep these core narrative pillars in mind:

1. The Moral Foundation: The story punishes adultery and rewards fraternal loyalty.
2. The Magical Mechanics: The concept of the soul (the heart) being independent of the body is a precursor to later European “lich” or “horcrux” mythology.
3. The Social Hierarchy: Even a man who has lost everything (Bata) can become Pharaoh if he is favored by the gods and maintains his Ma’at.
4. The Divine Balance: Anubis, though initially the “villain” by mistake, finds redemption through his tireless search for his brother.

Final Word on Authority

In the world of Ancient Egyptian literature, few texts provide as much depth as The Story of the Two Brothers. It is a story of survival, of magic, and of the unbreakable bond between two men. By preserving this tale, the scribes of the New Kingdom ensured that the name of Bata—the man who would not be silenced by death—would live forever.