The Story of Sinuhe is set in the time of the Pharaoh Amenemhat I , founder of the 12th dynasty of Egypt, and is thus one of the oldest pieces of literature known. It is likely that the tale is based on actual events.

It opens with the death of Amenemhet, and recounts the experiences of Sinuhe who learns of a murder plot to prevent the succession of Sesostris I , with whom he is returning from a military campaign in Libya. Fearing for his life Sinuhe fails in his duty to Sesostris, and instead of denouncing the plot, flees the country. Upon entering Syria, he marries the daughter of a southern chieftain, who adopts him. He later rises to power and returns to Egypt at the invitation of Sesostris I - who has survived the murder plot - and who forgives him and accepts him back into royal service.

The story formed part of the inspiration for the 1949 novel by Mika Waltari, and the 1954 Hollywood film epic, both titled The Egyptian, which although set during the reign of 18th dynasty pharaoh Akhenaten, feature a lead character named Sinuhe who flees Egypt in disgrace, to return after achieving material success and personal redemption in foreign lands.

External links

• http://jennycarrington.tripod.com/JJSinuhe/ - which includes details on the sources for the translations, transcriptions from the original hieratic into Egyptian hieroglyphs.
• Complete English translation