Fontes Historiae Nubiorum (FHN)
Research project, started in 1991. Participants: Tormod Eide, Tomas Hägg, Richard Holton Pierce (all IKRR/Dept. of Greek, Latin and Egyptology, University of Bergen) and László Török (Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest).
The project aims at making available the textual sources–both literary and documentary–for the history of the Middle Nile Region between the eighth century BC and the sixth century AD. The texts are presented in their respective original languages (Old Egyptian, Demotic, Meroitic, Greek, Coptic and Latin) as well as in new English translations, and each is accompanied by an historical commentary. The translations are framed by philological introductions and notes intended to place the individual texts into their wider literary context and to substantiate the translators’ interpretation of difficult passages. The commentary following the translations presents historical analyses and provides information about the historical context. Ample space has been given to bibliographical references.
Besides bringing together for easy reference the original texts which are scattered in many publications, FHN will thus also be useful for archaeologists and historians who themselves lack the necessary linguistic competence. Among the intended users are students and scholars of the Sudan and Egypt who will in this way get easier access to the sources for their own history.
Publications: T. Eide, T. Hägg, R.H. Pierce and L. Török (eds.), Fontes Historiae Nubiorum: Textual Sources for the History of the Middle Nile Region between the Eighth Century BC and the Sixth Century AD. Vol. I: From the Eighth to the Mid-Fifth Century BC, Bergen 1994. Pp. 1—344. (ISBN 82-991411-6-8, price NOK 180,- + postage.) * Vol. II: From the Mid-Fifth to the First Century BC, Bergen 1996. Pp. 345—756. (ISBN 82-91626-01-4, price NOK 200,- + postage.) * Vol. III: From the First to the Sixth Century AD, Bergen 1998. Pp. 757—1216. (ISBN 82-91626-07-3, price NOK 220,- + postage.) * Vol. IV: Corrigenda and Indices, Bergen 2000. Pp. 1217—1375. (ISBN 82-91626-15-4, price NOK 200:) * May be ordered directly from IKRR/Dept. of Greek, Latin and Egyptology, Øisteinsgate 3, N-5007 Bergen, fax: +47 55 58 91 91 (order form see below).
For reviews, see Bryn Mawr Classical Review 96.4.3 (J.G. Manning); 97.3.29 (P.L. Shinnie), Orientalia 64, 1995, 473-474; 67, 1998, 127—129; 68, 1999, 308—310 (Inge Hofmann), Classical Review 46, 1996, 332—333; 48, 1998, 339—340 (Richard Alston), Le Muséon 109, 1996, 230—231 (C. Vandersleyen), Beiträge zur Sudanforschung 6, 1996, 157—159 (Michael H. Zach), Journal of Near Eastern Studies 56, 1997, 60—61 (Bruce Beyer Williams), Bibliotheca Orientalis 54, 1997, 125—127 (Ronald J. Leprohon), Aegyptus 77, 1997, 137—139 (Patrizia Piacentini), Sudanic Africa 9, 1998, 179—186 (Herman Bell), Chronique d’Égypte 74 (fasc. 147), 1999, 89—90 (Herman De Meulenaire); 74 (fasc. 148), 1999, 386-388 (Jean Bingen), Acta Orientalia 60, 1999, 213-220 (Lana Troy), Ekklesiastikos Pharos 81, 1999, 190-191 (B. Hendrickx).
From the reviews of
Fontes Historiae Nubiorum, Vols. I-III:This welcome collection of texts will be a valuable resource in the further studies of Nubia and its role in the wider world which will undoubtedly follow the recent upsurge in popular interest in the region. … the collection shows every sign of becoming a standard work for many years to come.
Richard Alston, The Classical Review
The editors have done an enormous service to scholarship by making these texts available.
J.G. Manning, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
The translations and commentaries, which provide much excellent information, will ease the work of those who wish to study in more detail than has been previously possible the history of Kushite times. … The student of the new discipline of Nubian studies will now be well equipped and when the remaining volumes appear, of which the last with an index will be most valuable, the main historical documents to the sixth century A.D. will be available.
P.L. Shinnie, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
… an essential reference for anyone doing research in Nubia.
Bruce Beyer Williams, Journal of Near Eastern Studies
Avec tous mes encouragements aux auteurs de cette excellente entreprise.
C. Vandersleyen, Le Muséon
… l’œuvre collective de Eide, Hägg, Holton Pierce et Török mérite une place primordiale parmi les grandes éditions sur la Nubie.
B. Hendrickx, Ekklesiastikos Pharos
In the years since the publication of the first volume, this ambitious and successfully accomplished undertaking has taken its place as an essential reference work for the study of ancient Africa. There is little doubt that it will facilitate further scholarly work as well as providing a larger audience access to thsi fascinating material.
Lana Troy, Acta Orientalia
Un quatrième volume, consacré aux index, est annoncé. Il permettra de tirer de ce magnifique corpus de sources tout le bénéfice qu’on y trouve depuis la première livraison. … l’aspect le plus remarquable de l’entreprise est l’effort des auteurs de rendre également accessibles à tous ceux qui les liront des documents d’origines fort différentes.
Jean Bingen, Chronique d’Égypte
In conclusion, we should welcome this new series with open arms. As investigators from various fields realize more than ever the extent of the African continent’s legacy to world history, this collection of historical primary sources will serve as a sound foundation for future scholarly debate.
Ronald J. Leprohon, Bibliotheca Orientalis
Order form
Please send to the address below (all prices including packing and sending):
...... copies of FHN I (1994, 343 pp., ISBN 82-991411-6-8), NOK180,-
...... copies of FHN II (1996, 401 pp., ISBN 82-91626-01-4), NOK 200,-.
...... copies of FHN III (1998, 470 pp., ISBN 82-91626-07-3), NOK 220,-.
...... copies of FHN IV (2000, 160 pp., ISBN 82-91626-15-4), NOK 200,-.
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