The Pyramid Texts and the problem of non-“classical” myth
https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-5294-2019-2-4-12-30
Abstract
This article analyses several approaches to the study of myth in the Old Kingdom of Egypt. The recent works on the Pyramid Texts by H. Hays and A. Morales seem to regard the category of myth as somewhat irrelevant to this subject. Despite being mentioned in the introduction, the term is not used in analysis and interpretation of the Pyramid Texts as such. Since this corpus of religious texts forms the most important base for any discussion on myth in the Old Kingdom, it seems to be a practical implementation of J. Assmann’s hypothesis of the absence of myth in the age of pyramids. The present author reconsiders the main points of Assmann’s evaluation of myth in relation to the theory of myth proposed by E.M. Meletinsky. There seem to be a notion of ‘classical myth’, characterized by narrative organization and etiological function, which is usually regarded as myth par excellence. Assmann’s argumentation highlights aspects of early Egyptian texts which prevent them from being regarded as ‘classical myth’. Usually this results in avoidance of this category altogether as mentioned above. There is however another attitude to myth, developed by K. Goebs, who suggests a very useful model for integral description of Egyptian religion and ritual practice.
About the Author
E. V. Alexandrova
Russian State University for the Humanities
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
bld. 6, Miusskaya Sq., Moscow, 125993
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Review
For citations:
Alexandrova E.V. The Pyramid Texts and the problem of non-“classical” myth. Folklore: Structure, Typology, Semiotics. 2019;2(4):12-30. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-5294-2019-2-4-12-30
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