The prince Kha-em-Waset (lived c.1260 BCE) was a learned man, and an accomplished priest. Centuries after his death, storytellers remembered the prince as a sage and magician. They told tales of his adventures, including one where Khaemwaset stole a magical book, belonging to the great god Djehuty/Thoth. In a tale of gothic horror, the prince must wrangle with the consequences of his greed...

CONTENT WARNING: Story contains themes of suicide, murder, and sexual horror. Please listen with discretion.

Music: Matt Uelman, "Tristram;" Keith Zizza, "Dissatisfaction," "Memories of Thebes," and "Beloved of Ma'at;" Ray Noble & His Orchestra, "Midnight with the Stars and You (Instrumental);" TableTop Audio "The Mummy's Tomb."

Logo image: Statue of Khaemwaset from Asyut, now in British Museum (photo Dominic Perry); painting of Tabubue, by M. Lalau (1932).

The Tale of Khaemwaset and the Book of Thoth:

Griffith, F. L. (1900). Stories of the high priests of Memphis: The Sethon of Herodotus and the Demotic tales of Khamuas. Available at Internet Archive.

Lichtheim, M. (1980). Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume III: The Late Period, 125—151.

Ritner, R. K. (2003b). The Romance of Setna Khaemuas and the Mummies (Setna I). In W. K. Simpson (Ed.), The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry (3rd ed., pp. 453--469).

Vinson, S. (2018). The Craft of a Good scribe: History, Narrative and Meaning in the First tale of Setne Khaemwas.

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