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Story of Ahikar

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Story of Ahiquar on papyrusPapyrus fifth century BCE
Anonymous
Publication details ▽ Publication details △

Also known as
"Ahikar" or the "Words of Ahikar"

First publication
c. 600 BCE on papyrus, expanded and revised up to c. 200 BCE

Literary form
Story

Genres
Wisdom literature

Writing language
Aramaic

Writing places
Multiple Middle Eastern countries, including Syria, Egypt and Babylon

Length
Approx. 12,000 words

The fantastic ungodly legend

The "Story of Ahikar" is often found in anthologies of Middle Eastern writings to have been considered for The Old Testament. But it's plain to see why the story was left out of the major Biblical canons. Despite its long association with ancient religious works, the Ahikar legend is quite secular.

Appeals are made by rote to "Most High God" and the divinity is praised for every good result as a matter of course. "God is with the weak that He may confound the strong," it is said.

But, as in Greek mythology, the story's plot turns on the cleverness of its main character, rather than on a god's will. What earns "Ahikar" its reputation as wisdom literature is not any religious teachings it may contain, as found in the Bible's "Proverbs" or "Psalms", but in sayings that provide advice for everyday life, such as "permit not thy companion to tread on thy foot, lest he tread at another time on thy breast."

These wise words sound more like those found in Hesiod's Work and Days than in any religious tome. The sayings are mostly restricted to the second of the story's seven chapters, which is thought to have been appended well after the original myth of Ahikar took shape.

Ahikar illustration
Illustration in 1913 edition by Henry Justice Ford.

Though it is little known to today's readers—certainly not as much as the more popular Greek and Judaic mythologies of the time—"Ahikar" was one of the earliest and most popular books of ancient world literature. Jews and early Christians never added it to their holy books, but they knew the Ahikar legend and considered it worthwhile reading for its moral lessons.

You can also find in the religious literature of the time, including in the Bible, elements of the Ahikar legend. 

The stories that would come together to make up the Ahikar legend as it has come down to us probably circulated orally throughout the region for many years, even centuries, before it was first committed to papyrus sometime in the seventh century BCE.

Fabled and fabulous

The core story and probably the earliest-recorded part of the fable concerns the childless Ahikar (also spelled "Aḥiqar" or "Haiqar"), a moral and practical counsellor to the Assyrian king. He adopts his nephew as his successor, only to be framed for treason by that nephew and sentenced to be beheaded. Needless to say, he evades execution and turns the tables on his nephew

Many edited or extended versions of the Ahikar tale were translated or copied over hundreds of years in Aramaic—the language of its first known text—and other ancient Mesopotamian tongues.

Expanded versions of the story continue with the most fabulous parts of the tale—with Ahikar outwitting Egypt's pharaoh and performing seemingly impossible tasks, such as building a castle in the air.

In all this, despite references to God, Ahikar's adventures teach lessons learned from human experience and rationality, rather than from religious faith. In fact the one faulty decision Ahikar makes—appointing his nephew—comes from one of the few times God told him what to do. Either God advised Ahikar poorly or God was punishing Ahikar for having worshipped graven images before consulting Him. You know, that old jealous god thing that is so much of the Old Testament.

Which perhaps goes to show the influence going both ways between the religious and secular literature in the ancient world.

— Eric

 

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