RECORDS OF THE PAST

_______________

BEING
ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
OF THE
ASSYRIAN AND EGYPTIAN MONUMENTS

PUBLISHED UNDER THE SANCTION
OF
THE SOCIETY OF BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY
 

VOLUME FOUR:

EGYPTIAN TEXTS

___________________

NOTE

Every Text here given is either now translated for first time, or has been specially revised by the Author to the date of this publication.

CONTENTS

{p.i}

PREFACE

THE success which has attended the publication of the "RECORDS OF THE PAST" is evinced by the appearance of the fourth volume containing another selection of some of the most important historical and other texts. Most of these have been previously translated, but as they are scattered in works either difficult of access or expensive to purchase, or else have appeared in periodicals of scientific importance not publicly known, or published in different European languages, their republication in a popular form with the final corrections by the translators, whether English or foreign, invests them with a fresh interest. It is hardly necessary to refer to their value as contributions to mythological, historical and philological knowledge as this is now universally recognized. They suddenly appear as apparitions of a departed past, which at one time it was supposed would never be recovered. The history of the West had been told in the glowing pages of the Greeks and Romans, that of the East a hazy and ill-defined conception of thought remained so, till rock and clay, leather and papyrus, had been compelled to reveal the secrets of the unknown and almost magical characters in which {p.ii} at history was written. It then melted away from the mere vague wedge or conventional sign, to appear as the great drama of a history long passed, whose leading characters, personal relations, and continuity of action were again presented to the intellectual eye. It is now removed from the closet of the student to the wider domain of the general public, and all can equally enjoy that which has hitherto been the privilege of a few to attain. The course of time, the rapid and irresistible progress of science and criticism, may have hereafter to add some additional corrections and final touches to the translations which have hitherto been prepared. Such is however after all the fate of translations of all books and in all languages, each generation of mankind preferring to hear the language of its day and each school of students proposing its own form of transmitting thoughts. The grand outlines and principal details remain however essentially the same, and the highest ambition of improvers can neither destroy the golden thread of the web of thought or disfigure the immovable features of the history of the past.

S. BIRCH.
1st July, 1875.

{p.1}

ANNALS OF THOTHMES III, THE INSCRIPTION OF ANEBNI
TRANSLATED BY
S. BIRCH, LL.D.

THE inscription is engraved on the dress of a small statue in calcareous stone, at present in the British Museum, representing the prince Anebni seated on a pedestal. The inscription is in horizontal lines of incuse hieroglyphs coloured blue. It came from Thebes and probably from the tomb of Anebni, as is proved by the sepulchral character of the dedication.

This small statue which was dedicated to Anebni by the joint order of Thothmes III and the queen {p.2} Hatasu or Hatsheps is valuable for proving their united reign and their relationship to each other. The whole of the prenomen Ramaka has been erased, except a part of the seated figure of Truth, Ma. There is however enough of this figure remaining to show what it was and to prove the historical fact. The statue itself was probably made just previously to the sole reign of Thothmes III, the revolution which took place and deprived Hatasu of her power and probably her life, being indicated by the erasure of her name, the sign of the strong political feeling or passion which accompanied that event.

The statue has been published by Sharpe, Egyptian Inscriptions, pt. 56. Lepsius Auswahl, Taf. xi.

INSCRIPTION OF ANEBNI

1 MADE by the desires of the good goddess the mistress of the world RA-MA-KA living and established like the Sun¹
2 and her brother the good god, the Lord doing things, RA-MEN-KHEPER (THOTHMES III) the giver of life, like the Sun eternal.
3 An act of giving peace to AMEN, Lord of the seats of the two lands, to OSIRIS, Eternal Ruler, to ANUP² who dwells
4 in the temple, attached to the coffin, Lord of Taser,³ who give sepulchral food of bread and beer, oxen, fowl, clothes, incense, wax
5 all good and pure things, and all things, which come on their altar
6 in the course of every day, to drink the water
7 out of the stream of the river, to breathe the delicious air
8 of the North wind, to go in and out of the region Ra-sta,⁴ to the person
9 the perfect one, praised of his god, beloved
10 of his Lord on account of his good work, following his Lord at his
________
1 Her name is partly erased, but proves their joint reign. Ramaka is the prenomen of the Queen Hatseps.
2 Anubis.
3 A region of the Hades or Cemetery.
4 Another region of the Hades, apparently that of the gates or roads leading there.

{p.4}

11 footsteps in the lands of the South and North, the royal son, Chief of the land, Superintendent of the weapons
12 of the King, ANEBNI, justified to the company of the great gods.

{p.5}

ANNALS OF THOTHMES III, INSCRIPTION OF AAHMES
TRANSLATED BY
S. BIRCH, LL.D.

THIS inscription is on a stone tablet at present in the Louvre at Paris, and came from El Kab or Eileithyia. It completes a longer inscription found at that spot detailing the capture of Avaris from the Shepherds, and other wars at the beginning of the XVIIIth dynasty and contains an abridged version of the wars in which Egypt was engaged from the reign of Amasis I to that of Thothmes III. It will be seen that these wars were 'carried on simultaneously in the North and South and that Egypt {p.6} was pressed on both frontiers by its African and Asiatic enemies. The Shasu are probably the Shos or Shepherds. The inscription is however chiefly a record of the rewards which Aahmes had received.

Published by Lepsius, Auswahl, 1842. Tav. xiv. A. B., Prisse, Monuments Egyptiens, pt. IV. Translated by Birch, Transactions Royal Society of Literature, New Series, vol. II. p. 323.

{p.7}

INSCRIPTION OF AAHMES

Line down the centre A.

(ACT of homage to OSIRIS lord of (Abydos) who gives bread, beer, oxen, and fowl,) clothes, incense, wax, all fruits, all good and pure things to the Prince

Side A the lines at the commencement are wanting.
1 THE PRINCE, Chief, Chancellor, Counsellor ....
2 the Superintendent of the register of things captured, AAHMES (surnamed) PENNISHEM
3 says; I followed the King of Upper and Lower Egypt the RA-NEB-PEH-TI (AAHMES I) the justified I captured for him in the land of ....
4 one living prisoner, I hand I followed the King of Upper and Lower Egypt the RA-TSER-KA (AMENOPHIS I) the justified, I took for him in Kish¹
5 one prisoner alive. Again I acted for the King of Upper and Lower Egypt the RA-TSER-KHEPER (AMENOPHIS I) the justified I took for him in the land of Amu-
6 -kahak 3 hands,² I followed the King of Upper and Lower Egypt the RA-AA-KHEPER (THOTHMES I) the justified I took for him in Kish
7 2 prisoners alive besides the prisoners brought by me from Kish, I do not reckon them.
8 Again I acted for the King of Upper and Lower Egypt the RA-AA-KHEPER (THOTHMES I) the justified I took for him in the land of Naharai-
9 na³ 21 hands, a horse, and a chariot I followed the King of Upper and Lower Egypt the RA-AA-EN-KHEPER (THOTHMES II) the justified;
________
1 Kush or Ethiopia.
2 The dead were counted by hands.
3 Mesopotamia.

{p.8}

10 I brought as tribute from the land of the Shasu¹ very many prisoners, I do not reckon them.

Side B the lines at the commencement are wanting.

1 The Prince, the Chancellor, the Counsellor of the King of Upper Egypt, the Instructor of the King of Lower Egypt
2 ... construction, appointed every the palace, (doing) the wishes in the approved palace of life and health²
3 the ... place ... words ... he repeated the King of Lower Egypt to his ancestors the Superintendent of account
4 of things captured AAHMES surnamed PENNISHEM who says, Augmented be the (life of)
5 the Ruler, ever living, I never left the King out of sight from
6 the King of Upper and Lower Egypt the RA-AA-PEH-TI (AAHMES I) the justified to the King of Upper and Lower Egypt the RA-AA-KHEPERU (THOTHMES I) the justified. I was (living) in (the days)
7 of the reign of the King ending under the King of Upper and Lower Egypt RA-MEN-KHEPER (THOTHMES III) the ever-living. The King of Upper and Lower Egypt RA-TSER-KA (AMENOPHIS I) gave me
8 2 golden armlets, 2 collars, a bracelet, a sword, a crown inlaid with gems.
9 The King of Upper and Lower Egypt RA-AA-KHEPERU (THOTHMES I) gave me 2 gold armlets, 4 collars, a bracelet, (a sword ornamented with)
10 lions, 2 gold war axes. The King of Upper and Lower Egypt RA-AA-KHEPERU (THOTHMES II) gave me (2) gold (bracelets)
11 6 collars, 3 bracelets of lapis lazuli and a silver war axe.
____________
1 The Arabs or Shepherds brought into the camp.
2 The Court.

{p.9}

ANNALS OF THOTHMES III, OBELISK OF THE LATERAN
TRANSLATED BY
S. BIRCH, LL.D.

THE inscription is engraved on the four sides of a large obelisk of red granite commonly called the Obelisk of St. John Lateran, at present existing on the hill of the Lateran at Rome. It bears the inscriptions of three kings Thothmes III, Thothmes IV of the XVIIIth Dynasty, and Rameses II of the XlXth, who restored and set it up again. It has a certain chronological interest from the mention of 35 years between Thothmes III and Thothmes IV. The translation of those lines which relate to the kings of the XVIIIth Dynasty only is given.

This obelisk appears to have been originally a Theban one, and intended for the granite sanctuary at Karnak. Next to the chronological data one of {p.10} the most interesting notices found in the inscription is that of the barge of the god Amen-Ra which was made of cedar cut down in the land of the Rutennu or Syria. These barges each had different names, and that of Thothmes III is mentioned in the inscription of Amenemheb already previously translated. It will be observed that in the reign of Thothmes IV Egypt is mentioned as dominant over foreign nations and not undertaking further campaigns. These obelisks were a kind of triumphal columns erected to perpetuate the record of the national glories.

The text and a translation have been published by Ungarelli, Interpretatio Obeliscorum fo. Rom. 1842, tab. I, the text only, by Zoega, De usu et origine Obeliscorum, fo. Rom. 1797 and also by Kircher, Œdipus III, 164. The latter part owing to an incorrect joining of the fragments is confused and unintelligible.

{p.11)

OBELISK OF THE LATERAN

NORTH SIDE

Scene on the Pyramidton¹ THOTHMES III adoring AMEN-RA, and the inscription,
"The good god RA-MEN-KHEPER like the Sun,"
"AMEN, Tun"²

THOTHMES III kneeling to AMEN-RA seated on his throne.
"The King of the Upper and Lower country RA-MEN-KHEPER, Son of the Sun THOTHMES like the Sun, Immortal"
"AMEN-RA Lord of the seats of the Upper and Lower countries, gives all life stability and power."

ON THE OBELISK

Central Line of Hieroglyphs. THOTHMES IV. adoring the hawk of HAR-EM-AKHU.³
The good god RA-MEN-KHEPERU Lord of the World, gives incense that he may be made a giver of life.
Central Line. "The HARMACHIS, the living Sun, the strong Bull beloved of the Sun, Lord of Diadems very terrible in all lands, the Golden Hawk the Very Powerful, the Smiter of the Libyans, the King RA-MEN-KHEPER, the son of AMEN-RA, of his loins, whom his mother MUT gave birth to in Asher, one flesh⁴ with him who created him, the Son of the Sun THOTHMES (III) the Uniter of Creation, beloved of AMEN-RA Lord of the thrones of the Upper and Lower country giver of life like the Sun for ever.

SOUTH SIDE

Pyramidion, Upper Line. "The King RA-MEN-KHEPERU (THOTHMES IV) giver of life beloved of AMEN-RA Lord of the thrones of the two countries."

THOTHMES III adoring AMEN-RA
__________
1 The Apex of the Obelisk.
2 Titles of the god Amen-Ra.
3 Harmachis or Sun in the Horizon.
4 Or "substance."

{p.12}

"The Son of the Sun THOTHMES (III) giver of life like the Sun for ever."

THOTHMES III kneeling offering wine to AMEN-RA seated on a throne.

"The King RA-MEN-KHEPER, Son of the Sun THOTHMES (III) giver of life like the Sun for ever."

The goddess Uat¹ gives a good life, AMEN-RA Lord of the seats of the upper and lower country, gives life power and stability,

THOTHMES IV seated on a throne adoring the hawk of HARMACHIS.
"The good god RA-MEN-KHEPERU giver of life like the Sun."

AMEN-RA King of the gods (says) "Thou hast received life in thy nostril."

Central Line. "The HAR-EM-AKHU, the living Sun the strong Bull, crowned in Thebes, Lord of diadems, augmenting his kingdom like the Sun in heaven, the Hawk of Gold, the Arranger of Diadems, Very Valiant, the King RA-MEN-KHEPER, approved of the Sun, Son of the Sun, THOTHMES (III) has made his memorial to his father AMEN-RA, Lord of the Seats of the upper and lower countries, has erected an obelisk to him at the gateway of the temple before Thebes, setting up at first an obelisk in Thebes to be made a giver of life."

EAST SIDE

Pyramidion. THOTHMES III taken in hand by AMEN-RA. "The good god, RA-MEN-KHEPER, giver of life like the Sun."

THOTHMES III kneeling and offering wine to AMEN-RA seated on a throne.
"The King RA-MEN-KHEPER, Son of the Sun THOTHMES giver of life like the Sun, gives water."
_______
1 Buto, goddess of Northern Egypt.

{p.13}

"AMEN-RA King of the gods gives life stability and power." THOTHMES III standing offering a pyramidal cake to the hawk of HAR-EM-AKHU.¹

"The good god, RA-MEN-KHEPER, giver of life, gives a pyramidal cake of white bread that he may become a giver of life."

Central Line. The HAR-EM-AKHU, the living Sun, beloved of the Sun, having the tall crown of the upper region, the Lord of diadems, celebrating the festivals in Truth, beloved on earth, the Golden Hawk prevailing by strength, the King of the Upper and Lower country, RA-MEN-KHEPER, beloved of the Sun, giving memorials to AMEN in THEBES, augmenting his memorials, making them as they were before, so that each should be as at first; never was the like done in former times for AMEN in the house of his fathers, he made it the Son of the Sun THOTHMES (III) Ruler of An² giver of life.

WEST SIDE

Pyramidion. THOTHMES III received by AMEN-RA.
"AMEN, TUM."
"The good god, RA-MEN-KHEPER giver of life like the Sun immortal."
THOTHMES III kneeling to AMEN-RA seated on a throne.
"The King RA-MEN-KHEPER, Son of the Sun, THOTHMES (III), like the Sun immortal gives wine."
" UAT³ gives life duration and health."
"AMEN-RA Lord of the seats of the upper and lower countries, King the of gods, Ruler of An."
THOTHMES IV offering flowers to the hawk of HAR-EM-AKHU.
"The good god, the Lord doing things, RA-MEN-KHEPERU, giver of life like the Sun, gives incense that he may be made a giver of life."
________
1 Harmachis or The sun in the Horizon, a title translated by Hermapion "Apollo."
2 Heliopolis.
3 The goddess Buto.

{p.14}

Central Line. "The HAR-EM-AKHU the living Sun, the strong Bull, crowned by Truth, RA-MEN-KHEPER who adores the splendour of AMEN in Thebes, AMEN welcomes him in his heart dilates at the memorials of his Son, increasing his kingdom as he wishes, he gives stability and cycles to his Lord, making millions of festivals of thirty years the Son of the Sun THOTHMES (III) uniting existence (giver of life)."

[Two lateral lines on each side referring to Thothmes IV in connection with the pyramidion already translated.]

NORTH SIDE

Right Line. "The good god, the Image of diadems, establishing the kingdom like TUM, powerful in force, expeller of the Nine bow foreigners, the King of the Upper and Lower country, RA-MEN-KHEPER, taking by his strength like the Lord of Thebes, very glorious like MENTU,¹ whom AMEN has given strength against all countries; the lands came in numbers, the fear of him was in their bellies, the Son of the Sun, THOTHMES (IV), Diadem of Diadems, beloved of AMEN-RA, the Bull of his mother."

Left Side. "The King of the Upper and Lower country beloved of the gods, adorer of the circle of the gods, welcomed by the Sun in the barge, and by TUM in the ark, the Lord of the Upper and Lower countries, RA-MEN-KHEPERU,² who has ornamented Thebes for ever, making memorials in Thebes, the circle of gods of the house of AMEN delight at what he has done, the son of the god TUM, of his loins, produced on his throne, THOTHMES (IV) Diadem of diadems."

SOUTH SIDE

Right Line. "The Son of the Sun, THOTHMES (IV), Diadem of Diadems, set it up in Thebes he capped it with gold, its
__________
1 A form of Ra or the Sun an Egyptian Mars.
2 Prenomen of Thothmes IV.

{p.15}

beauty illuminates Thebes; sculptured in the name of his father the good god RA-MEN-KHEPER (THOTHMES III), the King of the Upper and Lower country, Lord of the two countries, RA-MEN-KHEPERU (THOTHMES IV) did it wishing that the name of his father should remain fixed in the house of AMEN. The Son of the Sun, THOTHMES (IV) giver of life did it."

Left Line. "The King of the Upper and Lower country, the Lord doing things, RA-MEN-KHEPERU, made by the Sun, beloved of AMEN. His Majesty ordered that a very great obelisk should be completed which had been brought by his father RA-MEN-KHEPER (THOTHMES III) after His Majesty died. This obelisk remained 35 years and upwards in its place in the hands of the workmen at the Southern quarters of Thebes. My father ordered it should be set up, I his son seconded him."

EAST SIDE

Right Line. "RA-MEN-KHEPERU (THOTHMES IV) multiplying memorials in Thebes of gold, lapis lazuli, and jewellery, and the great barge on the river (named) AMEN-USER-TA, hewn out of cedar wood which His Majesty cut down in the land of Ruten¹ inlaid with gold throughout, and all the decorations renewed, to receive the beauty of his father AMEN-RA (when) he is conducted along the river. The Son of the Sun THOTHMES (IV) Diadem of Diadems did it."

Left Line. "The good god, the powerful blade, the Prince taking captive by his power, who strikes terror into the Mena² whose roarings are in the Anu.³ His father AMEN brought him up, making his rule extended, the Chiefs of all countries are attentive to the spirits of His Majesty, to the words of his mouth, the acts of his hands, all that has been ordered has been done. The King of the Upper and Lower
________
1 Syria.
2 Asiatic Shepherds.
3 Or Petti, Libyans.

{p.16}

country RA-MEN-KHEPERU, whose name is established in Thebes giver of life."

WEST SIDE

Right Line. "The King of the Upper and Lower country, the Lord of the upper and lower world, RA MEN KHEPERU son it making peaceful years, Lord of the gods, who knew how to frame his plans and bring them to a good end, who subdued the Nine bow foreigners under his sandals, the King of the Upper and Lower country watched to beautify the monuments, the King himself gave directions for the work like him who is Southern rampart,¹ he set it up, it remained for a while, his heart wished to create it, the Son of the Sun THOTHMES (IV), Diadem of diadems."

Left Line. "The King of the Upper and Lower countries RA-MEN-KHEPERU (THOTHMES IV) approved of AMEN, dwelling amongst the Chiefs, born in him than every King, rejoicing at seeing the beauty of his greatness: his heart desired to place it. He gave him the North and South submissive to his spirits, he made his monuments to his father AMEN-RA, he set up a great obelisk to him at the upper gate of Thebes facing Western Thebes. The Son of the Sun whom he loves (THOTHMES IV) Diadem of Diadems, giver of life did it."

At the base is a scene, Ra seated.
"AMEN-RA, HOR; Lord of heaven, RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun, RAMESES (II) beloved of AMEN giver of life like the Sun."
The winged disk HUT, RA again.
"AMEN-RA, Lord of the seats of the upper and lower countries, HAR-EM-AKHU, great god, Lord of the heaven."
"The King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the two countries, RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun RAMESES (II) beloved of AMEN."
____________
1 Title of the god Ptah or Vulcan the eponymous deity of Memphis.

{p.17}

OBELISK OF RAMESES II

(Now in the Place de la Concorde, Paris.)

TRANSLATED FROM THE
FRENCH TEXT OF M. FRANCOIS CHABAS.

THIS Obelisk, the grandest monument of Egyptian art now existing in Europe, is one of two which were originally set up by Rameses II before the great temple of Ammon-Ra at El Luxor. It is a monolith of red granite. The Paris obelisk, which was the shorter of the two, was 70ft. 3 in. high (French) from the end of the pyramidion down to the base, but exclusive of the height of the pedestal which remained at Thebes, the width of the obelisk at its base was about 7ft. 6in. and its weight upwards of 220,000 kilogrammes and contains on each face three vertical lines of deeply cut hieroglyphics representing the adorations of Rameses to Amen-Ra. The apex is believed to have been originally protected by a covering of gilded bronze.

The Viceroy of Egypt, Mohammed Ali, offered to the British Government one of the obelisks of {p.18} Alexandria, and the other to France; but after examination of the monolith and the difficulties of transport, the proposal was declined by England. When Champollion made his exploration of Egypt, he examined the question, and upon his report the two obelisks of Luxor were judged worth the trouble and expense of transport. An especial vessel the "Louqsor," was built at Toulon for the purpose, and sailed in 1831 under the command of Ship Lieutenant Verninhac St. Maur. The obelisk was landed at Paris, 23 December, 1833.

The inscriptions have been several times translated and published both on the Continent and in England. There is a translation by Salvolini, Traduction des Inscriptions sur l'obelisque de Paris, 4to., Paris 1837; and the text is given by Champollion, Monuments, Tome IV. pt. CCIX; Sharpe, Egypt. Inscr., pt. 42, 43. The translation here given is that given by M. Chabas in Traduction complete des Inscriptions Hieroglyphiques de l'obelisque de Luxor, à Paris, 1868, which has been selected as the most recent and as combining the results of the studies of previous Egyptologists.

OBELISK OF RAMESES II

North side of Obelisk facing the Madeleine.
Vignette: Rameses II on his knees offering two vases of wine to Ammon-Ra.
Cartouche of Jameses II: The master of the two worlds OUSOR-MA-RA, Lord of the diadems, MEI-AMMON-RAMSES. The god says to the king: "I give thee perfect health, I give thee life, stability and perfect happiness."

East side facing the Tuileries.
Vignette: The same subject as before.
Cartouche: The good god, master of the two worlds, OUSOR-MA-RA, Son of the sun, Lord of the diadems, MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, vivifying like the sun.

West side facing the Champs Elyse'es.
Same offering.
Cartouche: "The good god, master of the two worlds, OUSOR-MA-RA, Son of the sun, Lord of the diadems, MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, vivifying like the sun eternally."

South Side facing the Palais Legislatif.
Ramses II making an offering of water to Amun-Ra.
Cartouche: "The good god, OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA, Son of the sun, MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, who gives life, stability and happiness, like the sun." AMMON-RA tells him (to the King) "I give thee perfect joy."

{p.20}

TRANSLATION OF THE VERTICAL INSCRIPTIONS

North side of Obelisk facing the Madeleine: Central Column of hieroglyphics.

"The HORUS-sun, strong bull of the Sun, who has smitten the barbarians,¹ Lord of the diadems, who fights millions, magnanimous lion, golden hawk, strongest on all the world, OUSOR-MA-RA bull at his limit, obliging the whole earth to come before him, by the will of AMMON his august father."

"He has made (the Obelisk), the Son of the Sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES "living eternally."

Column of hieroglyphics, left of spectator.
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, the strongest (of the strongest) who fights with his sword, King of great roarings, master of terror, whose valour strikes the whole earth, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the Sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES whose dominion is twice cherished like that of the god inhabiting Thebes, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA SOTEP-EN- RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, The Vivifier."

Column to the right of the spectator.
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, the grandee of the triacontaerid fetes, who loves the two worlds, King strong by his sword, who has seized both worlds, supreme Chief whose royalty is great as that of the god TUM, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun
_________
1 The Sati.

{p.21}

MEI-AMMON-RAMSES. The Chiefs of the entire world are under his feet; King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, vivifier."

East side facing the Tuileries. Central Column:
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, fighting with his sword, Lord of the diadems, who subdues (strikes down) whoever nears him, who seizes the ends of the world, Golden Hawk, very terrible, master of valour, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, divine¹ issue of his father AMON, Lord of gods. Causing to be joyous the temple of the soul and the gods of the great temple in joy. He has made the obelisk the Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, living eternally."

Column at left of the spectator.
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, Son of AMMON, how multiplied are his monuments! the very strong, beloved Son of the sun, on his throne, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES who has erected the dwelling of AMMON (Thebes), like the heavenly horizon, by his great monuments for eternity, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Son of the sun, MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, vivifier."

Column to the right of the spectator.
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, beloved of the goddess TRUTH," King doubly cherished as the god TUM, supreme
__________
1 The recent publications of Mariette-Bey on Abydos have shown the real meaning of the word maï, determined by the pebble of minerals; it is not the invitation maï, but a word intimating the idea of bodily humours. The same word occurs with the determinative phallus, alluding evidently to the meaning germen, semen.
2 Ma.

{p.22}

Chief, delight of AMMON-RA, for centuries; King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES: what is heaven, that (such) is thy monument; thy name will be permanent like the heavens, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, vivifier."

West side facing the Champs Elysees. Medial Column:
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, beloved of the goddess TRUTH (MA) Lord of the diadems, who takes care of Egypt and chastises nations, Golden Hawk, Master of armies, the very strong, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA King of Kings, issue of TUM, one in body with him to perform his royalty on earth for centuries, and to render happy AMMON'S dwelling by benefactions. He has made (the Obelisk) the Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, Living eternally."

Column to the left of the spectator.
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, rich in valour, King potent by the sword, who has made himself master of the whole world by his strength, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES; all countries of the earth come to him with their tributes, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA-SOTEP-EN-RA. Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, vivifier."

Column to the right of the spectator.
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, beloved of the Sun, King who is a great plague (to his enemies); the whole earth trembles in terror of him, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA, Son of the sun (MEI-AMMON- {p.23} RAMSES) Son of MONT, whom MONT has formed with his hand, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA, Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, vivifier."

South side facing the Palais Legislatif. Central Column:
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, very valorous, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA eldest son of the King of the gods, who has raised him on his throne on the earth, like an unique Lord, possessor of the whole world; he knows him, as he (the king) had done homage to him by bringing to perfection his dwelling for millions of years, mark of the preference he had in the Southern Ap for his father, who will prefer him for millions of years. He has made (the Obelisk) the Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, vivifier, eternal as the sun."

Column to the left of the spectator.
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, loved by the goddess TRUTH (MA) King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA, Son of the sun. MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, Scion of the sun, protected by HARMACHIS, illustrious seed, precious egg of the sacred Eye, emanation of the King of the gods, to be the unique Lord possessor of the whole world, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, eternal vivifier."

Column to the right of the spectator.
"The HORUS-sun, strong bull, beloved of the sun, King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES King excellent, war-like, vigilant to seek the favours of him who has begotten him: thy name is permanent as the heavens; the length {p.24} of thy life is like the solar disk therein¹ (the heavens), King of Upper and Lower Egypt OUSOR-MA-RA, SOTEP-EN-RA Son of the sun MEI-AMMON-RAMSES, eternal vivifier like the sun."
________
1 Like the solar disk, eternally ranging the celestial vault.

{p.25}

TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN RAMESES II AND THE HITTITES
TRANSLATED BY
C W. GOODWIN, M.A.

THE inscription of the Treaty of Peace in the 21st year between Rameses II of the XIXth dynasty and the Kheta, supposed to be the Hittites, occurs on an outer wall of the temple of Karnak where it still remains. The text has been published by Rosellini, Monumenti Storici, fo., Firenze 1832, MR. CXVI; by M. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, fo., Berlin, Abth. Ill, Bl. 146; and by M. Brugsch, Recueil des Monuments, 4to., Leipzig 1862, I, PL xxviii. The following are the principal translations that have been made of it: one by Rosellini, Monumenti Storici, 8vo., Firenze 1839, Tom. 3, Pt. II, p. 268; another by De Rouge in M. Egger's Etudes sur les Traites Publics, 8vo., 1866, p. 243; and another also by the same translator in the Revue Archeologique, {p.26} 8vo., Paris 1866, Vol. XIII, p. 268; that of the present translator in the Pantheon, 4to., London 1862, No. 14; and one by M. Chabas, Voyage d'un Egyptien, 4to., Chalon 1866, p. 33. Unfortunately the final portion of the inscription is very much destroyed, and as no duplicate copy has as yet been discovered the interesting details at the close are left very obscure. It is the earliest example on record of an extraditionary treaty, and the careful provisions stipulated for the protection of the persons delivered up show the humane state of international law prevalent at this remote period amongst the Egyptians and neighbouring nations as well as the solemn pledges and oaths taken by the contracting parties to ratify the treaty and carry out their engagements. The document also throws some light upon the religion of the Kheta, and mentions among their gods Sutech and Astaruta or Ashtaroth. It is also remarkable for stating that the original of the treaty was inscribed upon a plate of silver, and as the front had the device of the god Sutech it is probable that it was the authenticated one of the Kheta prince, and also in the language and character of that people.

S. B.

TREATY OF PEACE

1 The twenty-first year, the twenty-first day of Tybi,¹ in the reign of King RA-USER-MA, approved by the Sun, Son of the Sun, RAMESSU-MERIAMEN, endowed with life eternal and for ever; lover of AMEN-RA, HARMACHU, PTAH of Memphis, MAUT Lady of Asheru, and CHENSU-NEFERHOTEP; invested upon the throne of HORUS, among the living, like his father HARMACHU, eternally and for ever.
2 On this day behold His Majesty was in the city of the House of Ramessu-Meriamen, making propitiations to his father AMEN-RA, to HARMACHU, to ATOM Lord of On, to AMEN of Ramessu-Meriamen, to PTAH of Ramessu-Meriamen, to SUTECH the most glorious son of NUT; may they grant him an eternity of thirty-years' festivals, an infinity of years of peace, all lands, all nations, being bowed down beneath his feet for ever.
3 There came a royal Herald (nearly a whole line is erased here; the sense is, two royal Heralds came, bringing a tablet of silver, which)
4 the Grand-Duke of Kheta, KHETA-SIRA, had sent to the King to beg for peace of King RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun, Son of the Sun, RAMESSU-MERIAMEN, endowed with life for ever and ever, like his father the Sun continually. Copy of the plate of silver which the Grand-Duke of Kheta, KHETASIRA, sent to the King by the hand of his Herald
5 TARTISBU, and his Herald RAMES, to beg for peace of His Majesty RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun, Son of
_________
I The fifth month.

{p.28}

the Sun, RAMESSU-MERIAMEN, Chief¹ of rulers, whose boundaries extend to every land at his pleasure, The covenant made by the Grand-Duke of Kheta, KHETA-SIRA, the puissant, son of MARASARA,
6 the Grand-Duke of Kheta, the puissant, grandson of SAPALALA, the Grand-Duke of Kheta, the puissant; upon the plate of silver, with RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun, the great ruler of Egypt, the puissant, son of RA-MEN-MA (Seti Meneptah I.) the great ruler of Egypt, the puissant, grandson of RA-MEN-PEHU (Ramessu I.).
7 the great ruler of Egypt, the puissant: The good conditions of peace and fraternity ... to eternity, which were aforetime from eternity. This was an arrangement of the great ruler of Egypt with the great Prince of Kheta, by way of covenant, that god might cause no hostility to arise between them! Now it happened
8 in the time of MAUTENARA, the Grand-Duke of Kheta, my brother, that he fought with ... the great ruler of Egypt. But thus it shall be henceforth, even from this day Behold; KHETASIRA the Grand-Duke of Kheta covenants to adhere to the arrangement made by the Sun, made by SUTECH, concerning the land of Egypt,
9 with the land of Kheta, to cause no hostility to arise between them for ever. Behold, this it is KHETASIRA the Grand-Duke of Kheta covenants with RA-USER-MA, approved by the Sun, the great ruler of Egypt from this day forth, that good peace and good brotherhood shall be between us for ever.
10 He shall fraternize with me, he shall be at peace with me, and I will fraternize with him, I will be at peace with him for ever. It happened in the time of MAUTENARA the Grand-Duke of Kheta, my brother, after his decease, KHETASIRA sat as
__________
1 Lit., bull.

{p.29}

11 Grand-Duke of Kheta upon the throne of his father—Behold I am at one in heart¹ with RAMESSU-MERIAMEN, the great ruler of Egypt ... of peace, of brotherhood; it shall be better than the peace and the brotherhood, which was before this. Behold, I the Grand-Duke of Kheta with
12 RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt, am in good peace, in good brotherhood; the children's children of the Grand-Duke of Kheta shall be in good brother-hood and peace with the children's children of RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt As our (treaty) of brotherhood, and our arrangements
13 (made for the land of Egypt) with the land of Kheta so to them also shall be peace and brotherhood for ever; there shall no hostility arise between them for ever. The Grand-Duke of Kheta shall not invade the land of Egypt for ever, to carry away anything from it; nor shall RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt invade the land
14 of Kheta for ever to carry away anything from it for ever. The treaty of alliance which was even from the time of SAPALALA the Grand-Duke of Kheta, as well as the treaty of alliance which was in the time of MATENARA² the Grand-Duke of Kheta my father, if I fulfil it, behold RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt shall fulfil it
15 ... together with us, in each case, even from this day, we will fulfil it, executing the design of alliance. If any enemy shall come to the lands of RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt, and he shall send to the Grand-Duke of Kheta saying, Come and give me help against him, then shall the Grand-Duke of Kheta
16 ... the grand-Duke of Kheta to smite the enemy; but if it be that the Grand-Duke of Kheta shall not come
___________
1 Lit., "in corde."
2 Should be Mura-sara.

{p.30}

(himself), he shall send his infantry and his cavalry ... to smite his enemy ... of the anger of RAMESSU-MERIAMEN
17 ... the slaves of the gates, and they shall do any damage to him, and he shall go to smite them, then shall the Grand-Duke of Kheta together with ...
18 ... to come to help to smite his enemies, if it shall please RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt to go, he shall ...
19 ... to return an answer to the land of Kheta. But if the servants of the Grand-Duke of Kheta shall invade him, namely RAMESSU-MERIAMEN ...

(Lines 20 and 21 are nearly erased.)

22 ... from the lands of RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt and they shall come to the Grand-Duke of Kheta, then shall the Grand-Duke of Kheta not receive them, but the Grand-Duke of Kheta shall send them to RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun, the great ruler of Egypt ...
23 ... and they shall come to the land of Kheta to do service to any one, they shall not be added to the land of Kheta, they shall be given up to RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt. Or if there shall pass over ...
24 ... coming from the land of Kheta, and they shall come to RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt, then shall not RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun, the great ruler of Egypt ...
25 ... and they shall come to the land of Egypt to do service of any sort, then shall not RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun, the great ruler of Egypt, claim them; he shall cause them to be given up to the Grand-Duke of Kheta ...
26 ... the tablet of silver, it is declared by the thousand {p.31} gods, the gods male,¹ the gods female, those which are of the land of Kheta, in concert with the thousand gods, the gods male, the gods female, those which are of the land of Egypt, those ...
27 ... SUTECH of Kheta, SUTECH of the city of A  ... , SUTECH of the city of Taaranta, SUTECH of the city of Pairaka, SUTECH of the city of Khisasap, SUTECH of the city of Sarasu, SUTECH of the city of Khira(bu), SUTECH
28 ... SUTECH of the city of Sarapaina, ASTARATA of Kheta, the god of Taitatkherri, the god of Ka ...
29 ... the goddess of the city of ... the goddess of Tain ..., the god of ...
30 of the hills of the rivers of the land of Kheta, the gods of the land of Kheta, the gods of the land of Tawatana, AMEN the Sun, SUTECH, the gods male, the gods female, of the hills, the rivers of the land of Egypt, the ... the the great sea, the winds, the clouds. These words
31 which are on the tablet of silver of the land of Kheta, and of the land of Egypt, Whosoever shall not observe them, the thousand gods of the land of Kheta, in concert with the thousand gods of the land of Egypt shall be (against) his house, his family, his servants. But whosoever shall observe these words which are in the tablet of silver, be he of Kheta ...
32 ... the thousand gods of the land of Kheta, in concert with the thousand gods of the land of Egypt shall give health, shall give life to his (family) together with himself together with his servants. If there shall pass over one man of the (land of Egypt) or two, or three
33 (and they shall go to the land of Kheta then shall the Grand-Duke of Kheta cause them to be) given up again to RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun, the great ruler of
_________
1 Lit., warriors.

{p.32}

Egypt, but whosoever shall be given up to RAMESSU-MERIAMEN, the great ruler of Egypt,
34 let not his crime be set up against him let not ... himself, his wives, his children If there shall pass over a man from the land of Kheta be it one only, be it two, be it three, and they come to RA-USER-MA, approved of the Sun
35 the great ruler of Egypt let RAMESSU-MERIAMEN the great ruler of Egypt seize (them and cause them to be) given up to the Grand-Duke of Kheta (but whosoever shall be delivered up ...) himself, his wives, his children, moreover let him not be smitten to death, moreover let him not (suffer?)
36 in his eyes, in his mouth, in his feet, moreover let not any crime be set up against him. That which is upon the tablet of silver upon its front side is the likeness of the figure of SUTECH ... of SUTECH the great ruler of heaven, the director of the Treaty made by KHETASIRA the great ruler
37 of Kheta ...
38 ...

{p.33}

THE TABLET OF 400 YEARS
XIXth DYNASTY
TRANSLATED BY
S. BIRCH, LL.D.

THIS Inscription is incised on a tablet of red granite found in the ruins of the ancient Tanis, which is at present in the Museum of Boulaq in Cairo. The monument and a translation have been published by Mariette Bey in the Revue Archeologique, vol. xi, Paris, 1865; pt. 4, p. 169 and foll. The inscription is in some respects peculiar if not suspicious. It is an act of homage from a high officer of state named Seti to the god Sut in the reign of Rameses II of the XlXth dynasty, and gives an interval of 400 years between his reign and that of the rule of the Hykshos or Shepherds. As such it is most important for {p.34} the chronology although unfortunately the place of the Shepherd king in the dynasty is not known, nor is the regnal year of Rameses II mentioned in the tablet, which had it been, would have given two fixed points for the duration of the XVIIIth and XlXth dynasties.

{p.35}

The upper part of the tablet contains the usual vignette, the subject being, a;

Scene representing RAMESES II "giving wine to his beloved that he may make him a giver of life." The god SUT in his human form wearing the white crown hut, and holding the ankh t as symbol of life and the uas, sceptre. The officer SETI stands behind the monarch in adoration to SUT. The inscription runs: "A gift of adoration to thy person Oh SUT, Son of NUT, give thou a long time in thy service to the Prince, Nomarch, Royal Scribe of the horses, Superintendent of the countries Superintendent of the fortress Ta-ru" (Parameses).

1 THE Living HORUS, the Living Sun, the Powerful Bull beloved of Truth, Lord of the Festivals of Thirty Years like his father PTAH, King of Upper and Lower Egypt RA-USER-MA, Approved of the Sun, Son of the Sun RAMESES beloved of AMEN Giver of Life
2 Lord of Diadems, Regulator of Egypt, Chastiser of Foreign Lands, Sun born of the gods, Possessor of the Upper and Lower country, the Hawk of Gold, Rich in Years, Greatest of the Powerful
3 the King of the Upper and Lower country, RA-USER-MA, Approved of the Sun, the Son of the Sun,. RAMESES, beloved of AMEN, the Chief enriching the two countries with memorials in his name,
4 the Sun has shone above to his wishes¹ the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, RA-USER-MA, Approved of the Sun, RAMESES beloved of AMEN.
__________
1 Or, as the king liked.

{p.36}

5 His Majesty ordered that a great Tablet of stone should be made in the great name of his fathers for the sake of setting up the name of the father of his fathers,
6 the King of the Upper country RA-MEN-MA, Son of the Sun, SETI¹ beloved of PTAH, firm and prosperous for ever like the Sun daily.
7 The 400th year the 4th of the month Mesori² (of) the King of the Upper and Lower country SUT-AA-PEH-PEH, Son of the Sun, whom he loves NUB-TI³ beloved of HAR-EMAKHU⁴ who is for ever and ever.
8 A journey was made by the Prince, the Superintendent of the nome, the Fan Bearer at the King's right hand, the Superintendent of bows, the Superintendent of lands, the Superintendent of the fort of Taru, the Chief of the Matau, the Royal Scribe of the cavalry
9 the Processional Priest of Ba-neb-tat⁵ the High Priest of SUT, officer⁶ of Uat⁷ the Ruler of the two countries, the Superintendent of the Priests of all the gods, SETI, justified Son of the Prince, the Governor of the district,
10 the Superintendent of the bows, the Superintendent of the countries, the Royal Scribe of the horses PARAMESES, justified, born of the Lady of the house, the Singer of the Sun, TAA, justified he says
11 Hail to thee SUT son of NUT, AAPEHPEH in the boat of millions of years, overthrowing enemies before the boat of the Sun, great are thy roarings in
12 .... grant me a good time of life to follow thy person I have been placed in
___________
1 Sethos I, king of the XIXth dynasty.
2 The 12th month.
3 Name of the Shepherd king, predecessor of Apophis, a kind of minister, sepulchral or civil.
4 Harmachis, "The sun in the horizon."
5 Mendes.
6 The Karheb.
7 Buto.

{p.37}

THE INVASION OF EGYPT BY THE GREEKS, UNDER THE XIXth DYNASTY, IN THE REIGN OF MENEPHTAH
TRANSLATED BY
S. BIRCH, LL.D.

THE text of this inscription is found on one of the walls of a small court lying South of the great outer wall of the principal Temple of Karnak in Egypt. The upper part of the inscription has been broken away and the top of each line has lost from a fourth to third part of its entire length, the lower portion was encumbered with ruins and remained inaccessible till it was uncovered by the late Vte. de Rouge. The text has been published by Professor Lepsius Denkmaeler Abth. Ill, 199, 2, by M. Brugsch, Geographische Inschriften, 4to, 1858, II. Taf. LXXXV, and more perfectly by M. Dümichen, Historische Inschriften. Taf. I V. Translations of the inscription have also been made by the Vte. de Rouge, Revue Archeologique, {p.38} 8vo, Paris 1867, p. 167, by M. Chabas, Etudes de l'Antiquite historique, 8vo, Paris 1870-73, the last of which is the most complete extending to the sixty-second line. The historical interest of this text is that it gives an historical account of the first years of the reign of Menephtah I of the XlXth dynasty the son and successor of Rameses II. In it is detailed the invasion of Egypt from the West by the allied army of the Libyans, the Maxyes, the supposed Achaeans or Greeks, the Sicilians, the Tyrrhenians or Etruscans, the Sardinians and the Lycians identified as such by M. de Rouge. It is the earliest historical mention hitherto discovered of the Greeks, while the great antiquity of the inscription shows the state of the population and colonization and civilization of the Mediterranean at that remote period. Exhibiting as it is thought to do the first point of contact between the Hellenic and Italian with the Egyptian and Hamitic races, it offers valuable data for the resolution of the problems involved in the earliest Hellenic legends, history and literature.

{p.39}

INVASION OF EGYPT

Three fragments marked A, B, C.

FRAGMENT A
Commencement of five perpendicular lines.

1 Then were smitten the Chiefs
2 of his country, in bulls, catties, and asses ...
3 men of the fallen enemy
4 their weapons, smitten
5 unknown is the stopping of their hand, they were ...
6 valour of the gods in the moment of time

FRAGMENT B
Middle of seven perpendicular lines.

1 ... Total 2 ...¹
2 ... its Chief bearing ...
3 ... divine
4 ... the powerful Sun, more powerful than the Nine bow barbarians
5 ... victory. He was not taken the .... were
6 ... which I gave Tamera² in ....

FRAGMENT C
End of nineteen horizontal lines.

1 the safety
2 he received without exception the morning of the
3 .... of the men who had invaded it the eye of every god
4 great. The two lands of Tamera being given
_________
1 Line 1 of this fragment perhaps continues line 3 of fragment A, line 2 B continues line 4 of the same fragment, and so on.
2 Northern Egypt.

{p.40}

5 the doers of evil, were pierced by every god who was
6 ...... (beseeching) their heart to see the breath of BA-EN-RA beloved of AMEN.
7 the temples, they caused them to go into
8 .... (MERENPTAH) at peace through Truth, may the time of his life be like the sun he answers on
9 ... of His Majesty, called Namaurumeri¹ the not
10 MERENPTAH at peace through Truth, called AMEN, the Prince of the land of Lubu.² Assembled the abominable
11 ... swiftness (of ... their) swiftness. The Living Lord will catch him, knowing
12 ... joy coming forth from the cities of Tamera³
13 ..... gods. The Living Lord subdued him commanding
14 .... their hand the wells open ....
15 .... slept tranquil close to the fields
16 .... the well incessantly calling out at night
17 the ploughing of the .... waters
18 ... approaching⁴ saying a. salutation
19 .... land of Mateni⁵ and Innu.

The principal portion is in seventy-seven lines.

1 ... 1, the Akauasha,⁶ Tursha,⁷ Luku,⁸ Sharutana,⁹ Shekilusha,¹⁰ (all the lands of the North of the great sea,) came all the lands
2 ... victorious by the valour of AMEN, was the King of the Upper and Lower Country, BA-EN-RA, beloved of AMEN, the Son of the Son of the Sun MENEPHTAH at peace through Truth, giver of life. Then that good god was ....
_________
1 Or called also "the Maurui," Mauri, Moors.
2 Libya.
3 Northern Egypt.
4 Her tet, probably in or out of the mud or dirt.
5 Greek Isles.
6 Achaioi, Achseans.
7 Tursenoi, Etruscans.
8 Lycians.
9 Sardinians.
10 Sicilians.

{p.41}

3 ... followed him every god as his protection, every land was in fear at sight of him the King of the Upper and Lower Country BA-EN-RA, beloved of AMEN, the Son of the Sun, MENEPHTAH at peace through Truth
4 capture had been made of the places, he had ordered that they should bow down to his rule, the invaders of all his frontiers to (his) victory ...
5 ... all his acts are ordered as the breath of life, he caused men to refuse repose, preponderant was his valour in
6 ... to guard Heliopolis, the city of the god TUM, to protect Memphis, the fortress of Tanen and to put in good condition what had been ruined
7 ... lines before Pa-Baris, the environs of the canal of Shakana at the north of the pool of Har
8 ... (as the plains) uncultivated, which had been left as pasturages on account of the Nine bow barbarians. It had been infested in the time of the ancestors. All the Kings of Upper Egypt reposed in secret monuments¹
9 ... and the Kings of Lower Egypt were reposing in their city surrounded by a perishing sepulchre.² The
troops had not auxiliaries to answer. It happened
10 (that the King MENEPHTAH was raised) on the throne of HORUS (where) he had been placed to give life to Mankind, he had gone as King to watch over mortals, there was a courage in him to make him in the .... the two lands, I was
11 (ordering him to go) in the land of Bairu³ he gave orders to the elite of his troops, he sent his cavalry in all directions, his emissaries his march in
12 his .... for he did not care for hundreds of thousands
__________
1 Aimer, or smer, sepulchres.
2 Alluding to the tombs of the Biban-el-Moluk and the pyramids.
3 Or Mabairu.

{p.42}

in the day of battle. His soldiers proceeded coming in good order, leading the auxiliaries to every land
13 .... month of the summer for the vile Chief of the the Lubu¹ MARMAIU son of TAIT descended from the land of the Tahennu² with his auxiliaries,
14 (the Mashuash,³ the Kahaika,⁴) the Sharutana,⁵ the Shakalusha,⁶ the (A)kauasha, the Tursha⁷ placing them at the head of all the combatants and all the heroes of his country. He led his wife and children
15 ... the Captains of his troops, the Chiefs of the camp, he penetrated the Western frontier from the field of Pa-ari-sheps. Then His Majesty arose furious against them like a lion
16 (glaring He said to them), Listen ye to all the words of your Lord, I let you know this that is to say, I am the ruler who is leading you, I watch to find out
17 (.... your father. Is there one among) you like him to give life to his children? You tremble like geese not knowing what is best to do, not answering the (enemy)
18 (Egypt is) desolated, and abandoned to the incursion of any land. Nine⁸ bow barbarians are overrunning its frontiers; the revolters are invading it daily. Every country is pillaging
19 (its cities coming) to devastate the harbours they go to the fields of Egypt (and) to the river. They stand and remain therein days and months, seated
20 (in the country) They reach the mountains of the land of Ut,⁹ ravaging the circuit of Taahu, acting like it was under Kings in the records of other times in days not known
_____________
1 Libyans.
2 Mauritania.
3 Maxyes.
4 Caicai.
5 Sardinians.
6 Sicilians.
7 Turseni, Etruscans.
8 Supposed to be a confederacy of Nine States.
9 A place supposed to be in the Oxyrrhynchite nome.

{p.43}

21 ... (coming) as reptiles, they are not made to turn back (crawling) on their bellies, loving death and hating life, their heart does it not revolve
22 (evil) ... they follow their Chief, they are looking out in the cultivated land,¹ coming fighting to fill their bellies daily. They come to the land of Kami² to search for provisions for their mouths, they give their hearts
23 (to settle in Egypt) I ... I find they are brought in like netted fish,³ their Chief is like a hound a vile person without heart, he sits firm
24 ... approaching the land of the Petti-Shu which I made take corn in boats to give life to that land of the Khita, for I am the one to whom the gods have brought all support
25 ... (the whole world) is under my power the King of the Upper and Lower Country BA-EN-RA beloved of AMEN, the Son of the Sun, MENEPHTAH, at peace through Truth, the giver of life, augmenting my support, augmented is (the support of AMEN) I am firm as the ruler of the two countries, the lands
26 ... Upper and Lower Egypt. AMEN has asserted his word in Uast⁴ he has turned back his head to the Mashuasha⁵ (they will not) see the land of Tamahu. Are
27 ... (placed) the auxiliaries in front, let them slaughter the land of Lubu,⁶ they go forth, the hand of god with them, AMEN (protecting) them with their bucklers. I order the country of Kami⁷ saying
28 (Let the troops be) prepared to unite in the fourteenth day. His Majesty saw in a dream⁸ as it were a figure of the god PHTAH standing to prevent the advance of the King It was as high
__________
1 Nekhta-ta corn or arable land.
2 Egypt.
3 Or "fowlers."
4 The Thebaid, West Thebes.
5 Maxyes.
6 Libya.
7 Egypt.
8 Or vigil, watch.

{p.44}

29 .... it said to him, Make a stand. It gave him the scimitar. Do you put away the dejected heart from you. His Majesty then said
30 (What am I to do? It replied) Let the infantry and cavalry in their number, advance in front of them to the cultivated land in the defiles of the nome of Pa-ari-sheps. Then the vile Chief of
31 (the Libyans ....) the night of the first of the month Epiphi¹ at dawn to meet together. The vile Chief of the Lubu made a march at the date of the third of the month Epiphi, bringing
32 (his troops) ... to fight them. An advance was made by the army of His Majesty with his cavalry AMEN was with them NUBTI, gave them his hand, (every) one
33 (was slaughtering the enemy fallen in) their blood nothing remained of them? For the auxiliary forces of His Majesty were six hours slaughtering of them, they put them to the sword making
34 .... of the land. When they were fighting the vile Chief of the Lubu (looked on). His cowardly heart was afraid he stretched forth
35 (his legs in flight, he threw down under) the sandals his bow. His weapons in haste were left behind (and all he had) with him a violent despair took him and a great terror circulated in his limbs
36 ... a capture was made) of his things, his money,³ his silver, and his gold, his vessels of brass, the ornaments of his wives, his thrones, his bows, his weapons and all things which he had brought
37 (with him .... an officer of) the palace to bring them with the captives. Then the vile Chief of the Lubu was hastening to return to his country. Was a number
__________
1 The 11th month.
2 Or, without respite for them.
3 Manatata minas.

{p.45}

38 (of the enemy escaping) the slaughter from being put to the sword. But His Majesty made the officers who belonged to the cavalry after them. They were falling in
39 (their blood massacring all) Such was not beheld in the registers of the Kings of Lower Egypt when that land of Kami¹ was in their (power), when the plague² was standing in the reigns of the Kings of Upper Egypt
40 .... so the (gods) on account of their beloved Son to rule Kami by its Lord, to make good the temples of the two TAMERI to declare
41 ... Western ports a despatch to the living court³ saying the fallen MARMAIU⁴ has gone flying, his limbs to his vileness has passed by me through the favour of the night in the cultivated lands
42 (before Paarisheps) .... his vile body every god prostrating him on account of Kami; the promises he made have failed, all the words of his mouth have recoiled on his head, it is not known if he is dead
43 (or alive). Thou hast (thrown) him from his power. Should he be alive he will not recover, he has fallen contemptible to his soldiers. Thou art the one who will take them, slaughtering
44 .... in the land of the Tamahu⁵ They will set another of his brethren in his place to contend he seems foul to the Chiefs like filth
45 ... the officers, the auxiliary troops, the infantry, the cavalry, all the veterans of the army and those of the young foreign troops having ardour
46 before them laden with the cut off members of the Lubu (and) the hands of all the nations which
__________
1 Egypt.
2 This seems to mean during the absence of the kings of Upper Egypt, with whom the kings of Lower Egypt are disadvantageously contrasted.
3 The Egyptian king.
4 Name recalling to mind the Marma-rica.
5 Country of the North, Cyrenaica.

{p.46}

were with them in skins and bunches, (all) things
47 .... were repulsed the enemies to their country. Then the whole land shouted to heaven the villages and nomes were delighted at the prodigies which had happened. The canals
48 ... things brought under the place of reception for His Majesty to see his victories. The number of captives brought from that land of the Lubu and the countries were led with it likewise, all the things
49 ... conducted to the magazines of MENEPHTAH at peace in truth from the Tahennu who were in Paarisheps to the upper places of that land, commencing from (the fort of) MENEPHTAH (at peace in Truth
50 ... members cut of six persons, children and brethren of the land of Lubu killed of which the members were brought
51 ... killed Lubu of whom the excised members were brought 6,359 Total of children of Chiefs
52 ... Sharutina, Shakalusha, Akaiuasha of the lands of the sea, of whom the members¹ were not brought
53 ... Shakalusha 222 persons, making 250 hands, Turusha 742 making 790 hands Shairutana
54 ... Akaiuasha who were with us we did not let their members be excised, their fists and hands were brought by us. We did not let
55 (to be cut off) ... heaps their members were brought cut off to the place where he was. 6,111 persons, making excised members
56 ... their fists 2,370 persons, Shakalusha, Turusha, coming as the wretches of the land of Lubu
57 (Kanaka), Lubu, led prisoners alive 218 persons; women of the vanquished Chief of the land of Lubu whom he had brought with him, they were natives of the land of Lubu 12 persons Total of those brought
_________
1 Phalli of the which the karunata was a part.

{p.47}

58 (living prisoners) 9,376, weapons which were in their hands brought by the captives, copper swords of the Mashauasha 9,111.
59 oxen of the land of ... 120,214 yoke of horses which were bearing the vanquished of the land of Lubu with the children of the Chiefs of the land of Lubu brought were alive, ... things
60 ... of the Mashauasha (who were) captured of His Majesty the living, righting the vanquished of the land of Lubu various kinds of bulls 1,308, goats
61 (gold vases) various 54, silver drinking vessels other vases, copper swords, cuirasses, razors, various vases 3,134
62 ... they set fire to the skin tents, and all their provisions.¹ His Majesty came crowned in the hall of the palace
63 ... (was) his living Majesty rejoiced in seeing (it). He made slaves (of them) (Said H)is Majesty shouting to heaven My service is in the horizon
64 ... of the good things the Sun made for my supply. I gave them praise as said by the god, giving the valour for his words The King of the Upper and Lower Country BA-EN-RA beloved of AMEN the Son of the Sun MENEPHTAH at peace through Truth
65 ... altogether thou hast ... the men in their towns, Kush² a also having ... I let him see in my hand in the first year the dues
66 ... its Chief brought its product yearly in turn was making a great overthrow of them. I gave the survivors to fill the Temples
67 ... their Chief vanquished running before me I made ... slaughtering them, I set fire to them, netted like birds, I made the country.
68 ... ed, rendered divine, being the greatest of every gods who was born. HORUS caused me to be born to be
_________
1 Karmuta, an uncertain word, perhaps "baggage."
2 Ethiopia, Nubia.

{p.48}

the sole Lord of Kami.¹ HORUS then settled and invaded it HORUS was hidden in it under my dominions, praised ... PHTAH
69 ... powerful, Sun, a strong scimitar against the Nine bow barbarians, whom² SET gave power and victory to the HORUS rejoicing in Truth, whom Ra supports daily,³ the King of the Upper and Lower Country BA-EN-RA beloved of AMEN, the Son of the MENEPHTAH at peace in Truth, the living I am
70 ... he was not taken. The Lubu were meditating evil to do it in Kami. Lo I vanquished them, I slaughtered them making a spoil of their country
71 ... I made the Tamera passable and navigable as I wished, the men also as I wished them. I gave them breath for their cities, rejoiced in the name of Heaven the countries
72 ... They were (not) found done: making my good days in the mouths of families, as the greatest of merits I performed for them. The whole country was set right
73 ... worshipping my gracious Lord, the taker of the two countries, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt BA-EN-RA beloved of AMEN the Son of the Sun MENEPHTAH at peace through Truth, the living, their great words Kami was
74 ... the Lubu⁴ also, I vowed to lead captive, thou lettest them be as grasshoppers also every road was blocked up with their (hosts) ... according thy supplies with care, we joyfully repose at all times. There are not
75 ... the assent it was at all turns at the house, working the meritors, enduring in the responses
76 ... the years like TUM, the services placed on thy assenting head do we not see.
_________
1 Egypt.
2 The king.
3 The standard title.
4 Libyans.

{p.49}

DIRGE OF MENEPHTAH
TRANSLATED BY
S. BIRCH, LL.D.

THE following short poetical eulogium of a king, apparently of Menephtah or Seti II of the XIXth dynasty, is found in Papyrus Anastasi 4 of the British Museum. It is published Select Papyri, Pl. lxxxiv, 1. 2-9, lxxxv, 1.1. Although not divided by red dots it is clearly poetic in style, and is accordingly given in paragraphs. From the final line it appears to be addressed to the monarch after his death. Although the titles do not exactly correspond with those of Ramses II or Menephtah {p.50} it appears to relate to him, as the papyrus is of his reign and that of Seti II of the same dynasty. It may indeed refer to this later monarch, but as no cartouche is given and the titles after the palatial or so called Horus ones are doubtful, it is uncertain who the monarch is to whom it refers. It has been translated by M. Chabas, L'Egypt aux temps de l'exode. Chalons 1873, p. 118.

{p.51}

DIRGE OF MENEPHTAH

1 AMEN gave thy heart pleasure,
2 he gave thee a good old age,
3 a life-time of pleasure followed thee
4 blessed was thy lip, sound thy arm
5 strong thy eye to see afar
6 thou hast been clothed in linen.¹
7 Thou hast guided thy horse and chariot
8 of gold with thy hand
9 the whip in thy hand, yoked were the steeds
10 the Xaru,² and Nahsi,³ marched before thee
11 a proof of what thou hadst done
12 thou hast proceeded to thy boat of ăs⁴ wood
13 a boat made of it before and behind
14 thou hast approached the beautiful tower which
15 thou thyself made
16 thy mouth was full of wine, beer, bread and flesh
17 were slaughtered cattle and wine opened:
18 the sweet song was made before thee
19 thy head anointer anointed thee with kami⁵
20 the Chief of thy garden pools brought crown
21 the Superintendent of thy fields brought birds
22 thy Fisherman brought fish
____________
1 Or gone to the gap to which the dead went to in the Sun boat.
2 Syrians as prisoners of war.
3 Negroes.
4 Cedar or acacia.
5 A kind of balsam.

{p.52}

23 thy galley came from Xaru¹ laden with good things
24 thy stable was full of horses²
25 thy female slaves were strong³
26 thy enemies were placed fallen
27 thy word no one opposed
28 Thou hast gone before the gods the victor the justified!⁴
___________
1 Syria.
2 Or cattle.
3 Or industrious, rut.
4 Dead or departed.

{p.53}

THE POSSESSED PRINCESS
TABLET OF RAMESES XII
TRANSLATED BY
S. BIRCH, LL.D.

THE Inscription of the departure of the ark of Khonsu or Chons, is found on a sandstone tablet in the Bibliothe'que Nationale at Paris. The tablet has been published by M. Prisse, Monuments Egyptiens, fo. Paris, 1847, pl. xxiv.; and a translation by S. Birch, Transactions of the Royal Society of Literature, New Series, 1853, vol. IV. p. 217, the text and translation of the inscription by the late Vicomte Emmanuel De Rouge, Etude sur une stele Egyptienne, 8vo., Paris, 1858 and a translation only by M. Brugsch, Histoire d'Egypte 4to. Berlin 1859 p.260. The monarch in whose reign the event took place is supposed to be Rameses XII. of the XXIst dynasty but there is {p.54} some difficulty about the succession of these later monarchs of the XXIst dynasty, as the discoveries of new papyri and documents have had the effect of displacing Rameses X.

An idea has been started by the Rev. D. Haigh in the Zeitschrift fur ägyptische Sprache und Alterthumskunde 1874 p. 65, that Bakhten was connected with Assyria and that the king of the land of Bakhten mentioned in the tablet was Tiglath-Pileser I, but it cannot be considered as proved without further confirmation. The inscription is one of the most remarkable of the ancient Egyptian Monuments and records the possession of a princess of the land of Bakhten by a spirit or demon and the exorcism of the spirit by the Egyptian god Khonsu or Chons sent specially from Egypt for that purpose: similar possessions appear to to have been not unknown to the Assyrians and Babylonians and an incident of these possessions is found in the Book of Tobit. It is clear from the name of the princess that she was of the Semitic race and that the country to which she belonged was some distance from Egypt.

{p.55}

THE POSSESSED PRINCESS

SCENE representing the departure of the ark of the god KHONSU or CHONS borne by twelve priests and accompanied by two others one reading, the ark having a feather standard in front and a flabellum behind. The ark is called "KHONSU in Egypt NEFERHETP." Before the ark stands Rameses XII wearing a helmet and tunic offering burning incense to the god. Over the head of the monarch is a vulture flying holding a signet. The inscriptions here read,

"The King of the Upper and Lower Egypt, the Lord of the two countries RA-TSER-MA, SATP-EN-RA the Son of the Sun of his race RAMESES beloved of AMEN, beloved of NISHEM, Giver of eternal life gives incense to (his) father KHONSU in the Uas^l NEFERHETP. The protection of life behind all (his) limbs."

On the right side is seen the return of the ark of CHONS borne by a pole on the shoulders of 4 priests and met by Ha-neter-neb, the priest of the god offering fire. All the priests wear sandals, and scull caps. The inscription reads "Beloved of KHONSU the Giver of oracles in the Uas,^l the great god, driver away, of possessing,²  Giver of life like the Sun. The name of the Prophet, Priest of KHONS the Giver of oracles in Uas,^l KHONS-PA-NETER-NEB."

Above the scene is the usual winged disk called "Hut³ the great god, Lord of Heaven."

1 The HORUS, the Powerful Bull, the type of diadems, establishing reigns, like TUM, the Hawk of gold, the powerful (by) the scimitar, the destroyer of the Nine bow barbarians, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt
_________
1 The Thebaid.
2 Evil spirit entering into the body.
3 Tel-hut, winged disk.

{p.56}

Lord of the two countries, RA-TSER-MA, approved of the Sun, the son of the Sun of his loins, RAMESES beloved of AMEN, beloved of AMEN-RA
2 lord of the thrones of the two countries, and the circle of the gods, Lords of the Thebaid The good god son of AMEN, born of HORUS, engendered of HAREMAKHU, the illustrious seed of the entire lord, the issue of KAMUTEF,¹ King of Egypt, ruler of Tesher, Chief
3 taking the Nine bow barbarians. Coming from the womb he has arranged the forces, he has given orders as soon as he issued from the egg, a resolute Bull, he went forward, being a Bull King, a god manifest the day of combats, like MENTU, the very valorous
4 like the son of Nut.² His Majesty was in Naharana³ registering the annual tributes the Princes of all the countries came prostrating and giving peaceful (words) to the spirits, of His Majesty. The places began bringing their tribute of gold, lapis lazuli⁴
5 turquoise⁵ and all the good wood of Taneter⁶ on their backs, one outvying another. The Chief of the land of Bakhten was causing his presents to be brought, he placed his eldest daughter first. They entreated His Majesty praying life of him. She
6 was a very beautiful person, and delighted the heart of
__________
1 The mystical title of Amen Ra considered as the Father and Son, the first and last avatar of the god.
2 Or Naut goddess of the celestial water or the Greek Rhea.
3 Mesopotamia.
4 Xesbet, supposed to be lapis lazuli, but two kinds mentioned in the inscriptions, Xesbet ma real lapis, and Xesbet lapis only, possibly an imitation. Glass, or as it is technically termed paste, imitations of lapis are found.
5 Mafka turquoise. This like Xesbet was true or otherwise: some suppose it to be malachite, but neither malachite nor turquoise are found in Egyptian works of art. It is figured blue and may be intended for blue fayence or else it was a mineral of copper for making blue paint.
6 The Holy Land, part of Arabia.

{p.57}

His Majesty beyond all things. The title of great¹ royal wife RANEFERU was conferred on her. When His Majesty returned to Egypt, she performed all the rites of a royal life. It happened on the 15th year the 22nd of the month Payni² His Majesty was in Uas,³ the powerful, the Ruler of Temples, performing
7 the orders of father AMEN-RA, Lord of the thrones of the two countries in his good festival of Southern Thebes (from) the seat of his heart, at the first time, it was sent to tell His Majesty there was an envoy of the Chief of the Bakhten come having numerous presents for the royal wife. When he was brought
8 before His Majesty with his presents, he said adoring His Majesty, "Glory to thee, Sun of the Nine bow barbarians, Let us live before thee." When he had said his adoration before His Majesty he said again to His Majesty "I have come to thee my
9 Lord on account of BENT-RASH the little sister of the royal wife RANEFERU a malady has penetrated her limbs? Would Thy Majesty send a person acquainted with things⁵ to see her?" His Majesty said "Bring me the scribe of the houses of life and those acquainted with mysteries
10 of the inner palace." (They) were brought forthwith. His Majesty said, "I have called you to hear this word, bring me one intelligent in his heart and skilful with his fingers from amongst you." Was brought the royal
11 scribe TAHUTIEMHEB before His Majesty His Majesty ordered that he should go to the land of Bakhten with that envoy. The journey to the land of Bakhten was
________
1 The ur or chief wife, the superior of all the rest.
2 The 10th month.
3 Uas, Thebes. The Western is sometimes added.
4 Or "there is an evil movement in her limbs."
5 Rex-xet sa, one knowing the things of books, a learned man, magus, sacred scribe or physician.

{p.58}

made by the person acquainted with things. He found BENT-RASHT in the conditions¹ of being under spirits. He found
12 them hostile to contend with him. The Prince of the land of Bakhten was a second time sending to His Majesty saying "Prince my Lord would His Majesty order a god be sent
13 to His Majesty." On the 26th year the 1st of the month Pashons² during the festival of AMEN His Majesty was in Uas.³ His Majesty was a second time before KHONSU, in Uas³ (called) NEFERHETP,⁴ saying "My good Lord I am again before you on account of the daughter of the Chief of the land
14 of Bakhten." Then was led KHONSU, in Uas³ (called) NEFERHETP, to KHONSU the Giver of oracles, the great god, expeller of possessors. Then said His Majesty before KHONSU, in Uas³ (called) NEFERHETP "My good Lord wouldest thou turn thy face to KHONSU
15 the Maker of oracles, the great god chaser of possessors let him go to the land of Bakhten by a very greatfavour?" Then said His Majesty "Give thy protection with him." I let His Majesty go to the land of Bakhten to save the daughter of the Prince of Bakhten.
16 Assented⁵ favourable KHONSU in Uas³ (called) NEFER-HETP, he gave his divine virtue fourfold to KHONSU the Giver of oracles in Uas,³ His Majesty ordered that KHONSU the Giver of oracles in Uas³ should be made to
__________
1 He found her in the conditions of having demons or being possessed by demons.
2 The 8th month.
3 The Thebaid.
4 Khonsu was a god with two names; the second, by which he was known in Uas or the Thebaid, being Neferhetp.
5 Han api wr akar, "Moved the head" very much, assented; "an action probably shown by some action of the statue."

{p.59}

proceed to the great ark¹ and five small boats, a chariot
17 and many horses on the right and left. That god came to the land of Bakhten at a period² of one year and five months. The Prince of the land of Bakhten came with his soldiers and his Chiefs before KHONSU the Giver of oracles he placed himself
18 on his belly saying "Thou comest to us, thou art peaceful to us by orders of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt RATSER-MA approved of the Sun. That god went to the place where BENT-RASH was. He made a cure³ of the daughter of the Prince of the land of Bakhten; she was right
19 forthwith. That spirit who was with her said before KHONSU the Giver of oracles in Uas.⁴ "Thou hast come in peace (the) great god, driver away of possessors, the land of Bakhten is thy city, its men are thy slaves. I am thy slave.
20 I will go to the place whence I came to give peace (to) thy heart on account of thy journey here. Let the Prince of the land of Bakhten order that a good day be made with me and the Chief of the land of Bakhten." That god intimated to his prophet saying
21 "Let the Prince of the land of Bakhten make a great sacrifice before that spirit." While this agreement was made by KHONSU the Giver of oracles in Uas⁴ and (the) spirit the Prince of the land of Bakhten and his army were in great fear.
22 He made a great sacrifice before KHONSU the Giver of oracles in Uas⁴ and that spirit, the Prince of the
__________
1 Ua, a boat. The Egyptian ark was placed in a kind of boat: the other smaller ones are called kaka-t "boats."
2 Sam, "stay or stopping".
3 The word sa, aid or protection, means here some action, and from the context the cure or exorcism.
4 The Thebaid.

{p.60}

land of Bakhten on a good day for them. The spirit went in peace wherever he chose by order of KHONSU the Giver of oracles in Uas.¹
23 The Prince of the land of Bakhten was very much delighted and every one in the land of Bakhten. He communing in his heart saying "Let that god be given to the land of Bakhten I will not let him go to Egypt.
24 That god remained 3 years, 4 months (and) 5 days in the land of Bakhten. (When) the Prince of the land of Bakhten was lying on his couch he saw that god who came out of his shrine. He was like a Hawk of gold, he flew on high to the land of Egypt.
25 (When the Prince) awoke he was as one agitated² (with horror). He said to the prophet of KHONS, the Giver of oracles in Uas,¹ "That god is at variance with us let him go to Egypt, let us send his chariot to Egypt."
26 The Prince of the land of Bakhten made that god to proceed to Egypt giving to him very many presents of all good things, troops and very many horsemen. They approached in peace to Egypt. That god KHONSU the Giver of oracles in Uas¹ went
27 to the house of KHONSU in the Thebaid NEFERHETP. He laid the presents which the Prince of the land of Bakhten had given of all good things before KHONSU in Uas¹ NEFERHETP. He did not give any thing out (of them) to his (own) house. KHONSU the Giver of oracles in Uas¹ approached
28 his (own) house in peace on the 33rd year the i9th of (the month) Mechir³ of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt RA-TSER-MA approved of the Sun, who has been made a Giver of life like the Sun immortal.
__________
1 The Thebaid.
2 Em ua neh neh "as one struck with horror" or "paralysed." The i for ua "a person," one.
3 The 6th month.

{p.61}

TABLET OF AHMES
(No. 4017 Musee du Louvre)
EPOCH OF DARIUS
TRANSLATED BY
PAUL PIERRET.

THIS is one of the Apis Tablets which were discovered with a large number of similar stele by M. Mariette, on the 22nd of August, 1852, in the sand filling up room No. 2 in the great underground apartments of the Serapeum or temple of burial of the Bull Apis at Memphis.

On the summit of this tablet is represented the ordinary winged disk adorned with two pendant asps, {p.62} with his hieroglyphic name; Hut. Underneath, is a figure of the bull Apis, who, standing near an altar, receives the offerings of Ahmes the Chief of soldiers. The text beneath this scene is worded as follows:

{p.63}

TABLET OF AHMES

1 THE Devotee of OSORAPIS, the smer-ua¹ Chief of Soldiers, AHMES, son of P-SAB-EN-HOR and of the lady TA-AP-EN-HA saith:
When they had brought this god² for his reunion with the good region of the West,
5 after all the ceremonies in the sanctuary had been made to him, and he had been clothed with his covering (?)... when they had brought this god to his western abode,³ (then) I, thy slave,⁴ I have made the shrouding of thy person,
10 I have watched each day, I have not slumbered to accomplish all thy ceremonies; I have established thy veneration in the hearts of all the men of the country, as well as of every locality
15 as far as the limit of the district, by the things that I have done in thy sanctuary. I have despatched my orders to the South as to the North to convoke in thy sanctuary all the Chiefs of Ponds⁵
20 with the load of their contributions. Here .. ⁶ .. O Prophets of the temple of PTAH is what I say: OSORAPIS! prostration before thee of him whose respirations are for the accomplishment of thy ceremonies, of the Chief of soldiers AHMES,
25 who hath made thy .. ⁶ .. who came himself
_________
1 Great familiar of the King (?)
2 Apis.
3 His tomb.
4 By a familiar turn in the Egyptian language, the discourse changes persons, and Ahmes addresses Apis directly.
5 Conservators of the Sacred Lakes.
6 Lacunae.

{p.64}

to bring silver, gold, stuffs, royal linen, perfumery, precious stones and all the good things. Make him a recompense according to what he hath done for thee;
30 prolong his years, perpetuate his person eternally; establish for him the duration of the existence of HORUS in the upper region, that his name may be remembered for ever.

{p.65}

NEAPOLITAN STELE
AN INSCRIPTION OF THE PERSIAN PERIOD
TRANSLATED BY
C. W. GOODWIN, M.A.

THIS inscription of which the following is a translation is at present in the Museum of Naples, and has been published by M. Brugsch, die Geographic des alien Aegyptens, 4to., Leipzic 1857, Taf. lviii., and some remarks on it are given in the same work, S. 40, 41, but it has not been previously translated. It as will be seen refers to events of the Persian period, and according to M. Brugsch is of the time of the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great, but no king is actually mentioned in the inscription by name, nor is the particular battle described in which the person for whom the inscription was made happened {p.66} to be engaged. It is in fact an adoration to the god Chnoumis of whom the person was the priest. This sacerdotal personage appears to have taken part in the military operations although it is not mentioned that he held any military office. It has been arranged in paragraphs of sentences, and is an interesting example of the inscriptions of this later period, which is not much illustrated by contemporaneous monuments although well known from other sources. It is however always desirable to know the state of Egypt from its own contemporary documents of which this is an interesting example.

S. B.

{p.67}

NEAPOLITAN STELE

1 The PRINCE, President, Keeper of the seal, Companion of the javelin, Prophet of HAR, Lord of Hebnu,¹ Prophet of the gods of Sah,² Prophet of SAMTATI of Ahehu,
2 Spiritual superior of the Un, Chief of the Priests of SEXET in the whole land, SAMTATI-TAF-NEXT, son of the housemaster,
3 Prophet of AMEN-RA, Shat-tát-Samtati-Afanx,³ born of the lady ANXTA: saith: "O! Lord of Gods, XNUM, King of the double land,
4 Ruler of the Districts, who risest to enlighten the earth, whose right eye is the Solar Disk, whose left eye is the Moon, whose spirit is
5 Shu⁴ from whose nostrils issues the North wind, to enliven all creatures: I am thy Prophet, my heart is according to thy ways, I have been faithful unto thee,
6 I have made no dwelling (for myself) except thy dwelling, I have not turned away from doing Every one's heart rejoiced, there was exultation in every house,
7 on seeing what thou hast done for me to their advantage, many and many times. Thou didst give me entrance to the palace, the heart of the good god (king) was pleased
8 with my words. Thou didst grant to me the oil of gladness, in that thou didst spare Egypt. Thou didst put kindness into the heart of the ruler of Asia,
9 his councillors did honour to me, he gave me the post of Chief of the Priests of SEXET in Es-Senem⁵ Chief of the Priests of SEXET,
10 of the double land, Head of the park. Thou didst defend me in the battle of the Greeks, when thou didst smite Asia,
_________
1 Hipponomi in 16th N.E. Nome.
2 16th N.E. Nome.
3 Sacerdotal name.
4 The Dawn.
5 Isle of Bigeh.

{p.68}

11 (when) they killed many of my companions. He¹ raised not his hand against me, (his) eyes were dull.
12 Afterwards Thy Majesty said to me, Go thou to Suten-senen.² Be thou diligent to traverse the regions
13 alone by thyself. I embarked at Uat-Ur,³ I feared no difficulty, I disobeyed not thy command, I reached Suten-senen.
14 Not a hair of my head was hurt. The beginning was observed in accordance with that which thou hadst commanded; in the end, thou gavest me a long space of repose.
15 O! all ye priests who serve this great god, XNUM, King of the double land, HAR of the horizons, Lord of all things, the beneficent spirit in Suten-senen,
16 TUM first in .... King of generations the kingdom for the ruler of lands,
17 (causing) his beloved son to be King of both lands, who comes to the heavens and beholds therein XNUM, King of both lands, TUM in his sanctuary;
18 the great god who approaches the shrine of the King of Lower and Upper Egypt Unnofer. May your names remain upon earth, (may ye be) in favour
19 with XNUM King of both lands, while ye say, May the gods, the Eyes, who are in Suten-senen be favourable to his reverence, the devoted to his district, SAMTATI-TAF-NEXT.
20 May ye yourselves be blessed. May others repeat your names for years and years."
__________
1 The enemy.
2 Heracleopolis.
3 Pehu of 1st N.E. Nome.

{p.69}

THE GREEK INSCRIPTION ON THE ROSETTA STONE
THE FRENCH TRANSLATION OF M. LETRONNE
BY S. BIRCH, LL.D.

THIS inscription in the Egyptian hieroglyphic, and enchorial or demotic, and in Greek, being a trilingual version of a synodical act of the priesthood assembled at Memphis in honour of Ptolemy V, or BC 198, is engraved on a fragment of a tablet of black granite at present in the British Museum. About one third of the hieroglyphic text and nearly all the demotic and Greek texts are complete. It was discovered at Rosetta the ancient Bolbitane, in 1799, and a facsimile of the inscription published by the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1802. Besides the publications of Heyne and Beck, that of Ameilhon, Eclaircissements sur l'inscription grecque trouvee d' {p.70} Rosette, Paris, 1803, of Person, Tracts and Miscellaneous Criticisms edited by Kidd 1812, of Drumann, Commentationes, Konigsberg 1822, die Inschrift von Rosette, Konigsberg 1823, of Lenormant, le texte grec de l'inscription de Rosette, 1841, and of Letronne, Fragmenta historicorum graecorum, 1841, and Recueil des Inscriptions, 1 842, and of Franz in Bockh, Corpus Inscriptionum grecarum, vol. III. 1853, p. 334 and foll, are the most remarkable. The hieroglyphic text has been translated by Brugsch, Inscriptio Rosettana, 4to., Berlin, 1851, Chabas, L'Inscription hieroglyphique de Rosette, 8vo, Paris, 1 867, and Sharpe, The Rosetta Stone in Hieroglyphics and Greek, 8vo, London, 1871. The first attempt to translate the whole of the demotic version is that of Young, Hieroglyphics, Pl. X and foll. Brugsch, die Inschrift von Rosette, 1850. As the hieroglyphic text is too imperfect and the demotic as yet untranslated, the translation here given is from the Greek, of which a translation from the amended text of Letronne, has already been given by Birch in Arundale and Bonomi, Gallery of Antiquities, p. 114.

THE ROSETTA STONE

1 UNDER the reign of YOUTH, and immediate successor of his father, Lord of the diadems, very glorious; having established order in Egypt;
2 pious towards the gods; superior to his adversaries; having ameliorated the life of men; Master of the festivals of thirty years, like HEPHAISTOS the Great; like the Sun
3 great King of the Upper and Lower regions; born of the gods PHILOPATORES approved by HEPHAISTOS; to whom the sun has given victory; living image of ZEUS; Son of Sun, PTOLEMY,
4 always living, beloved of PHTHAS, the ninth year; Aetes son of Aetes, being Priest of ALEXANDER and of the gods SOTERES, and of the gods ADELPHOI, and of the gods EVERGETAI, and of the gods PHILOPATORES, and
5 of the god EPIPHANES, EUCHARISTES, PYRRHA, daughter of PHILINOS, being the Athlophoros¹ of BERENICE EVER-GETES, ARIA daughter of DIOGENES: being the Kanephoros of ARSINOE PHILADELPHOS
6 EIRENE, daughter of PTOLEMY: being Priestess of ARSINOE PHILOPATOR on the 4th of the month XANDIKOS; and the 18th of the month of the Egyptians, MECHIR²

A DECREE

The High Priests and Prophets, and those who go into the sanctuary for the clothing of the 7 gods, and Pterophoroi³ and Hierogrammateis,⁴ and
__________
1 A kind of standard-bearer.
2 The month of March.
3 Feather bearers, as appears from the decree of Canopus, a kind of sacred scribe. They wore feathers on the head.
4 Sacred scribes.

{p.72}

all the other Priests, who from the temples of the country, had assembled at Memphis, before the King, at the festival of the reception of the
8 crown, of PTOLEMY, ever living, beloved of PHTHAS,¹ the god EPIPHANES, EUCHARISTES, which he received direct from his father, assembled in the temple at Memphis, this same day, have said:
9 Inasmuch as King PTOLEMY, ever living, beloved of PHTHAS, god EPIPHANES, EUCHARISTES, issue of the King PTOLEMY and of the Queen ARSINOE, gods PHILO-PATORES, has filled the temples with benefactions and
10 those therein dwelling, and all those who are placed under his dominion, being god, born of a god and a goddess, like HORUS, the son of Isis and OSIRIS, who has avenged his father OSIRIS; towards the gods,
11 full of generous piety, has consecrated to the temples revenues of money and provisions; and has supported great expenses in order to bring tranquillity to Egypt, and to establish order in all that concerns sacred affairs
12 has manifested with all his own power his sentiments of humanity; and of the public revenues and imposts collected in Egypt, he has finally suppressed some, and lightened others, so that the people and all the others
13 may have plenty under his reign; the sums due to the treasury by the inhabitants of Egypt, and those of the rest of his kingdom, which were very considerable, he has generally remitted; and those
14 imprisoned and those against whom law suits had commenced long since, he has freed them from all claims; he has moreover ordered that the revenues of the temples,
________
1 Phthas is the Egyptian Ptah or Vulcan, called in the Greek protocol 1.3, Hephaistos.

{p.73}

and the contributions which had been granted them yearly, whether in
15 provisions or money, as also the proper portions assigned to the gods, as the vineyards, gardens, and other lands, that belonged to the gods under the reign of his father,
16 should remain on the same footing. As to the Priests, he has also commanded that they should pay nothing more to the appointment¹ fund than what they had been taxed to the first year under his father; he has further remitted to those amongst the
17 sacred body² annual voyage to Alexandria, he has likewise ordered that there should no longer be levied the contribution for the navy; of the byssus³ delivered in the temples to the royal treasury
18 he has remitted two thirds; and all that had been previously neglected, he has re-established in proper order, taking all care that which it had been customary to perform for the gods should be executed as
19 it ought to be; at the same time he has distributed justice to all like HERMES, the twice great⁴; he has moreover ordered, that the returned emigrants, both of the soldiers and all others who
20 had shown opposition in time of troubles, should keep the property in the possession of which they had re-entered: he has provided also that of cavalry and infantry forces and ships should be sent against those who had advanced
21 against Egypt, whether by land or sea, supporting great expenses in money and provisions, so that the temples and all the inhabitants of Egypt should be in safety.
_________
1 Telestikon, a payment on promotion.
2 The ethnos of the priests, the tribes were the phylai.
3 A kind of fine linen.
4 Lit., "The great and great." At a latter period Hermes was called Trismegist or "Thrice great."

{p.74}

22 Having gone to Lycopolis which is in Busirite nome, a city which had been seized and fortified against a siege, by great depots of arms and every other kind of munitions, the spirit of revolt having strengthened itself there for
23 a long time, among the impious are who assembled in it, had done much mischief to the temples and inhabitants of Egypt: and having laid siege to
24 this place, he surrounded it with entrenchments, ditches and strong walls. The Nile having made a great flood in the eighth year, and as it usually does, inundating the
25 plains, the King has restrained it, in many places, by dyking the mouths of the rivers, for which works he has spent no small sum: after having established both cavalry and infantry troops to watch
26 them, he took in a short time the city by storm, and destroyed all the impious ones found there, like HERMES and HORUS, sons of Isis and OSIRIS had mastered in these same 
27 localities, the former revolters: as to the ringleaders of the rebels, under his father, and who had vexed the country without respecting the temples, he having come to Memphis to avenge
28 his father and his own crown, he has punished them all as they deserved, at the time when he came to celebrate the ceremonies prescribed on receiving his crown he further remitted from
29 the temples that which was due to the royal treasury up to the eighth year, amounting, in provisions and
money, to no small matter: similarly he remitted the value of the cloth of the byssus which had not been furnished to the royal treasury
30 as also the expenses of verification for those which had been so, up to the same period: he has freed the {p.75} temples from the tax of an artabe¹ per aroura² of sacred land: also
31 of the Keramion³ per aroura of vineyard: he made many donations to the APIS, to the MNEVIS, and to the other sacred animals in Egypt, taking far more care than the Kings his predecessors of what relates to
32 these animals in every circumstance: and what was necessary to their burial, he has given largely and nobly, as well as the sums granted for their special worship, comprising therein the sacrifices, panegyrics and other prescribed ceremonies:
33 the privileges of the temples of Egypt, he has maintained them on the same footing, conformably to the laws, he has embellished the Apeion⁴ with magnificent work, having spent for this temple in gold, silver,
34 and precious stones, a no small quantity: he has founded temples, shrines and altars: he has restored in turn those that required repairs, having for all that concerns
35 the divinity, the zeal of a beneficent god: after new information, he has repaired the chief honoured temples under his reign as is fit, in reward of which, the gods have given him health, victory, might, and all other good things,
36 the crown to remain with him and his children for all time.

To GOOD FORTUNE. It has seemed fit to the Priests of all the temples in the country that all the honours bestowed
________
1 The artabe was equal to 50 litres, or 10 gallons.
2 The aroura was the acre of the Egyptians, 100 square cubits.
3 The Keramion was either the measure called the amphora equal to 7 gallons 1 pint, or else an unknown Egyptian quantity, "a vat."
4 The Apeium attached to the Serapeum at Memphis where the Apis was kept.

{p.76}

37 to the ever-living King PTOLEMY, beloved of PHTHAS, the god EPIPHANES, EUCHARISTES, as well as those of his parents, gods PHILAPATORES, and those of his grand-parents, gods EVERGETAI, and those
38 of the gods ADELPHI, and those of the gods SOTERES, should be newly greatly increased; and to raise to the ever-living King PTOLEMY god EPIPHANES, EUCHARISTES an image in each temple, in the most visible part
39 which should bear the name of PTOLEMY, the avenger of Egypt: that close by should be placed standing the principal god of the temple, presenting him a weapon of victory, the whole disposed in the Egyptian fashion
40 that the Priests should perform thrice daily religious services at the images, and place sacred decorations on them : and they should execute the other prescribed ceremonies, as for the other gods in the pangyries celebrated in Egypt
41 that they should raise to King PTOLEMY, god EPIPHANES, EUCHARISTES, born of the King PTOLEMY and the Queen ARSINOE, the gods PHILOPATORES, a statue of wood and gilt shrine, in each of the
42 temples: that they should place them in the sanctuaries with the other shrines; and that at the great panegyrics when the shrines are taken out, that of the god EPIPHANES, EUCHARISTES,
43 should be taken out at the same time: in order that his shrine should be distinguished from the others, now and hereafter, it should be surmounted with the ten gold diadems of the King, before which should be placed an asp, as with all the diadems
44 which bear asps on the other shrines: that amidst them should be placed the headdress called Pschent,¹ wherewith
_____________
1 Consisting of the upper white crown hut and the lower red crown teser, with a serpent in front.

{p.77}

the King was covered when he entered the temple at Memphis, there to
45 accomplish the ceremonies prescribed when taking possession of the throne: that should be placed on the square face¹ of the headdresses to the aforesaid royal ornament, ten golden phylacteries, whereon shall be written
46 that it is that of the King who has rendered illustrious the Upper Country and the Lower Country: and since the thirtieth of Mesori, when the King's birthday is celebrated as also the seventeenth of Mechir
47 when he received the crown from his father (the Priests) have recognized them as eponymous in the temples, which days are really cause of many good things for all men: that they should be celebrated in honour of him by a panegyry in the temples
48 of Egypt, monthly that they should perform in them sacrifices, libations and all other things appointed, as in the other panegyrics, as well as the
49 in the temples: that they should celebrate a feast and a panegyry for the ever-living and beloved of PHTHAS, King PTOLEMY, god EPIPHANES, EUCHARISTES yearly i