Neferti

Literary 'sage', probably reign of Ammenemes I, 1991-1962 BC.

    The text known as the 'Prophecy of Neferti' is preserved on a Leningrad papyrus (reign of *Tuthmosis III) and in schoolboy exercises of the Nineteenth Dynasty. In this, Neferti appears as a lector-priest from the Delta town of Bubastis. The scene is set in the Fourth Dynasty: King *Sneferu is at Court and when he seeks diversion his courtiers bring Neferti before him. In a 'prophecy', Neferti then foretells a time of chaos and political disaster similar to the events outlined by *Ipuwer in the 'Admonitions of a Sage'. The situation is saved by the advent of a great king, 'Ameny' by name, whose non-royal origin is underlined.

    This text forms part of the so-called Pessimistic Literature but it is also an example of political propoganda, intended to glorify the first king of the Twelfth Dynasty (*Ammenemes I), who seized the throne from the legitimate ruler. The message of the text is that the destruction of the kingdom by civil war can only be prevented by a strong king who can restore unity and order. It is probable that the original composition dates to the reign of *Ammenemes I or that of one of his immediate successors, since its main aim is to justify the usurption of the throne by this dynastic line. The chaotic events that are described are probably a poetic device rather than a historical description, intended to set the theme of the king as the defender of order, since the period immediately before *Ammenemes I's accession was relatively stable and free from major uprisings (although the reign of *Mentuhotep IV may have experienced some difficulties).

BIBL. AEL i. pp. 139-45; Helck, W. Die Prophezeiung des Nfr. tj. Wiesbaden: 1970.

Biographical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt by Rosalie and Antony E. David

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   The fictional author of a literary text set during the reign of Snefru in which he prophesies civil war and confusion in Egypt, which will be ended by the succession of Amenemhat I of Dynasty 12. The text was doubtlessly written during the reign of the latter as a justification of his accession to the throne.

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier