L’âne humanisé et l’homme animalisé en Égypte ancienne

Abstract

In Pharaonic Egypt, where donkey was the main beast of burden, which of this animal’s characteristic traits or situations could be paralleled with those of men? The author examines this question through two types of sources, both dated from the New Kingdom (1550–1050 BC). On the one hand, the comparisons and identifications between Egyptians and donkeys in didactic literature are explored; the animal is used to portray very contrasted characters, from disobedient student to overburdened soldier. On the other hand, the anthropomorphic representations of donkeys are presented, and the goal of such depictions are discussed.

Keywords

• animal
• Ancient Egypt
• donkey
• literature
• iconography
• music