The Tale of the Two Brothers
"The Tale of the Two Brothers" is an ancient Egyptian narrative that shares thematic similarities with the biblical story of Joseph found in Genesis. The plot centers around two brothers, Anubis and Bata, where Anubis is married and Bata is a single farmer working under his brother. When Anubis is away, his wife attempts to seduce Bata, who refuses her advances, viewing it as a betrayal of trust. In retaliation, she falsely accuses Bata of seduction, leading Anubis to seek revenge. The story incorporates fantastical elements, such as animals warning Bata of danger and a stream of crocodiles appearing to protect him. To prove his innocence, Bata goes to extreme lengths, including self-mutilation, and subsequently dies. However, the narrative takes a redemptive turn as Bata returns to life and gains a prominent position in the pharaonic court, while Anubis, filled with regret, avenges his brother by killing his treacherous wife. This tale reflects themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of false accusations, showcasing the complexities of familial relationships within a mythological framework.
The Tale of the Two Brothers
Date: earliest manuscripts c. 1225 b.c.e.
Locale: Egypt
The Tale of the Two Brothers
The Tale of the Two Brothers strongly resembles the biblical story found in the book of Genesis in which Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce her husband’s slave Joseph and later accuses Joseph of rape. In the Egyptian tale, the older brother, Anubis, is married, and the younger one, Bata, like Joseph in the biblical story, is single and has a subordinate position, in this case working on his brother’s farm. When Anubis is away, his wife tries to seduce Bata. Feeling that succumbing to her would be a betrayal of trust, he angrily spurns her. The biblical story adds a spiritual dimension to Joseph’s refusal in that he declines to sleep with his master’s wife because it would not only be a betrayal of trust but also a sin. Anubis’s wife then falsely accuses Bata of trying to seduce her. At this point, the story becomes a fantasy. Anubis resolves to kill Bata, but the attempt is frustrated first by cows warning Bata that Anubis is coming and then by a stream full of crocodiles materializing between them. Bata demonstrates his innocence by swearing by the god Re-Harakhti (a Horus god) and amputating his phallus. He then dies. Anubis, full of remorse, returns home and kills his treacherous wife. Bata returns to life and rises to prominence in the pharaonic court. In the biblical version, Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, although he is later released because of his ability to interpret dreams and rises to a position of importance in the Egyptian government.
Bibliography
Hoffmeier, James K. Israel in Egypt. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Hollis, Susan B. The Ancient Egyptian “Tale of the Two Brothers”: The Oldest Fairy Tale in the World. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1990.