Digital Verbum Edition
Dr. Wente provides translations of most of the letters that have survived reasonably intact from the Old Kingdom through the Twenty-First Dynasty of ancient Egypt. An introduction provides information relating to ancient Egyptian epistolography and discussion regarding the transmission of letters. The organization of the book is basically chronological, with separate sections devoted to royal letters and letters sent by and to the vizier (civil officer). Also included are several model letters that were used in the education of the Egyptian scribe.
Edward Wente is Emeritus Professor of Egyptology at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. He received his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago and taught there until 1996. He has spent many decades studying and teaching Egyptology and in his retirement continues to review translations and evaluate manuscripts submitted for publication to the Journal of Near Eastern Studies, to which he also contributes an occasional book review. He has written many articles for journals, including Encyclopedia Britannica Online. He is the author of Late Ramesside Letters.