Week 6 Story

The Divide

There once were two brothers that were born into the world. When they were born the world trembled, and a loud voice thundered all over the earth saying that the older would serve the younger.  The first brothers name was Veri and the second brothers name was Ashmal. Each of these brothers grew up in the same house with the same parents. Though they grew up in the same environment each brother did not behave the same. The first brother was cruel and jealous of his younger brother. The younger brother was kind and loving, he sought to do the best he could in life. Ashmal was also devoted to god, for he knew he could place his full trust in him. Tragically one day their parents were killed in a flood and the inheritance went to the older brother. The older brother found himself a wife and forced his younger brother to work the field for him, allowing him to sleep in the stables. Ashmal however did not have a problem with this. He loved his brother very much and wanted only the best for him. One day while both the brothers were out hunting for food Veri was bitten by a poisonous snake. Ashmal knowing that they had the antidote at home rushed home to retrieve it. When he got to the house Veri’s wife asked where Veri was. He told her what had happened, and she smiled looking upon Ashmal seductively. She approached him and rubbed her arm down his back promising if he would but sleep with her, she would be his. Ashmal was disgusted and told her that he could not betray her brother like this, and that she should be ashamed of herself. He quickly retrieved the poison and ran to his brother’s aid. When he reached his brother, he did not mention what his brother’s wife had done only that he had gotten the antidote and that he would be alright. Once he gave him the antidote, he helped him up and onto his horse so they could return home. Once they arrived home, they saw Veri’s wife laying bruised and naked on the floor inside the house. Veri enraged asked what happened and his wife simply pointed at Ashmal. Veri quickly grabbed for his knife intending to kill Ashmal. Ashmal pleaded with his brother saying that he did not do this and that she was lying. It did not matter to Veri however for his heart was cold and hard. Ashmal refused to fight and kill his brother, he prayed to god for help. Suddenly a light surrounded Ashmal, and god softened the heart of Veri, for his heart had been clouded with hate for so long. Veri felt the love his brother had for him and knew that he could not have done this. From then on Veri lived to help and be there for his younger brother. Thus, the roles were reversed, and the older brother served the younger.

Authors Notes: I based this one off the story of The Two Brothers that I read. I changed a few things from the original story. Instead of a piece of a god living inside the younger brother I made the younger brother devout to god. I also added the bit about the older brother getting bit by the snake and then be tempted by his older brother’s wife when he goes for the antidote. In the original the older brother sends the younger brother or more grain so they can plant crops and his wife tempts the younger brother then. I also changed the end and made it to where a light shine around the younger brother and Veri’s heart is changed to feel love. There is also no proclamation in the original story about the older brother serving the younger, I made that bit up. 

Bibliography: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie

 

Naja Tripudians Cobra poisonous snakes of India by Joseph Ewart

Reading Notes: Ancient Egypt Part B

The Two Brothers: Part One

There were two brothers named Anpu and the other named Bata. Anpu lived with his wife and his brother in his house. His brother Bata was the one who worked on his land and labored for his brother constantly, he was also imbued with the spirit of a god. Since it was Anpu’s land that Bata worked on he decided what happened. Bata however held no grudge even though he worked all day for his brother and slept outside next to the cattle. One day Anpu told Bata that the Nile had receded and it was now time for them to go and seed the land. Bata being the loyal brother he was went and did as Anpu instructed him to do. For several days Bata worked for his brother in the field working tirelessly seeding the land. When they were out of seed Anpu told his brother to go fetch more. He ran to the house and saw his brother’s wife laying there brushing her hair. He asked for her help and she declined it not wanting to mess up her hair. He ran to the grain storage and grabbed all the grain they would need. As he ran by the house his brother’s wife commented on his strength. She said that he was so strong to carry so much grain on his back. She wished him to lie with her and told him to come and lie down next to her and she would clothe him in expensive linen. He became mad and told her that he thought of her as a mother and his brother a father. When the work was done Anpu returned to the house to find his wife lying on the floor beat up. He asked what had happened and she lied and said that it was his brother Bata who had done this to her.

Bibliography: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie

 

Ploughing in Nevers by Rosa Bonheur

 

Reading Notes: Ancient Egypt Part A

Osiris

When Osiris was born there was a proclamation stating the lord of all has come. This would become true because when he appeared among the men at the time Ra ascended up into heaven leaving him to rule. Osiris’s rule was a just one that sought the benefit of mankind at the time. He had to put many laws in place to counteract mans evil ways. Men were savages that hunted wild animals and fought amongst themselves. All their desires were evil. Osiris would change this with his laws and decrees and would bring peace in to the world of man. He was not alone however for he had a wife named Isis that also sought the benefit of man by teaching man how to grow crops and reap harvests. He was a father unto the people, and she was his queen. He taught them the importance of worshiping the gods and living a holy and right life. Men no longer fought each other seeking each other’s destruction. When Osiris saw what he had done for mankind he decided he wanted to spread this all over the world and left to travel and to teach mankind all over how to be better. He wanted them to end their battles and to talk amongst themselves to find peace. Everywhere he went he ushered peace into place. While he was gone his wife ruled in his place. Not everyone was so pleased with the accomplishments. Set viewed himself as stronger and better than his brother. He looked on his accomplishments with jealousy. In his heart he wanted warfare for he was the god of war. He wanted to stir up animosity and enmity in the kingdom so as to spark a war. Though he wanted this the queen was to strong for him to vanquish. He had to devise other means to accomplish war. 

Bibliography: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie

 

Egypt Louvre by Unknown