The Victories of Seti I Recorded in the Great Temple at
Karnak
by E. L. Lushington
[Extracted from TSBA 6:2 (1879):
509-34.]
Read 1st April, 1879.
The famous temple of Ammon, at Karnak, contains, in addition to
many other precious records of ancient times, several sculptures and
inscriptions magnifying the exploits of Ramenma Seti Meneptah, son of the first
and father of the second Rameses. These are frequently alluded to and in part
quoted by recent historians of Egypt, but a consecutive translation of them has
not, as far as I know, been laid before the public. I have attempted this in the
accompanying paper, and have added a few notes on any expressions which appeared
doubtful as to their meaning or deserving of special remark. The hand of time,
although it has destroyed much, has left a considerable portion of these
memorials in a fair state of preservation, and they have been copied by several
competent hands. What was done by Champollion may be learnt from his "Monuments
Egyptiens," in folio, and still more from "Notices Descriptives des Monuments de
I'Egypte et de Nubia," the publication of which is unfortunately not yet
complete; but by the associated labours of the late Viscomte E. de Rouge and his
able successor, M. Maspero, has been continued to p. 720 of the second volume.
Several plates of the "Monumenti Reali" of Rosellini, as well as the "Denkmaler"
of Lepsius and the "Recueil de Monuments Egyptiens" of Brugsch, also inform us
how the deeds of Seti were described by his admiring subjects, and invite
comparison. In some few instances a variety of readings is found [p.510] which, considering how much may have been at least
partially effaced in the lapse of so many centuries, is not
surprising.
My translation follows the order adopted by Lepsius, D. 3,
126-130; and there will be found also a further reference to the other
corresponding texts which I have been able to consult:
L. D. stands for
Lepsius' "Denkmaler."
N. D., Champolhon's " Notices Descriptives."
Br.
Rec. Brugsch's "Recueil de Momnnents Egyptians."
D. H. I., Dumichen's
"Historische Inschriften."'
'Si. R.. Rosellini's "Monumenti Real."
M..
Champolhon's "Monuments Egyptiens."
The sculptures represent the king's
figure as gigantic in comparison with that of other warriors, and often two rows
of combatants or prisoners, one above the other, are placed opposite to him. His
equipage is of proportional magnitude: sometimes the horses' names are engraved
above or below them, as likewise the names of towns, fortresses, or waters by
which the royal army pursues its march. Thus, on the fortress sketched in the
first plate (L. D. 3, 123a), the words are legible, tema en pa Kanana,
town of Canaan; and again, above' the horses, "The great foremost charger of His
Majesty 'Victory in Thebes,' Nextu-m-Uas" a name also borne by one of the two
horses of Rameses II, whom. in Pentaur's recital, he praises as having alone
proved faithful allies to him when deserted by his troops and captains. In the
second portion of the same plate (126a). a line above the reins names the kings
great foremost charger, "Amen has ordained him victory": and a line below says
"he is called Anta-hruta" which may be rendered "Bellona pleased" (Anta being a
war goddess, probably of foreign origin, cf. Birch, "Gallery," p. 100; Bunsen,
"Egypt's Place," i, 423), and recalls the name of Rameses' other horse.
Mut- or Nraulirta. At the top of the picture, between Seti's bow
and the plumes worn by the horses, an edifice stands, described as "town built
anew by His Majesty, with the well .... ta." Underneath this, "the
stronghold of Ramenma," with a cir- [p.511] cular
piece of water just below, on which the name of Rehita is legible (cf. Rehoboth,
Gen. xxvi, 22). Again, below the body of the horses, a fort, "the well of
Ramenma fortress," beneath which a reservoir, of an irregularly oval shape, is
entitled "the well of sweet water." Above the king's head is the disc with two
crowned uraei, fringed beneath with the characters meaning life and strength,
and the vulture of victory, with outspread wings, holding the symbol of
countless panegyrics.
L. D. 3, 126a; M. 290; Ros. M. R. 48, 2; N. D. 2,
86. Seti shoots from his chariot at the Shasu, who fly routed; the royal ovals
are between his bow and the string, and the hawk of Horhut above him, in front,
"gives life, stability, strength, health." The following inscription is in front
of the horses prancing over the fallen foe, "Year 1 of King (Ramenma), the
defeat made by the valiant sword of Pharaoh on the wretched Shasu from the
fortress T'ar to the land of Canaan. His Majesty marched against them as a
fierce lion, making them corpses in their uplands, overwhelming them in their
blood; none escaped his fingers to tell his prowess to far lands; in the might
of his father Amen, who ordained him strength and victory over the
land."
126b. Ros. M. R. 49, 1; N. D. 2, 90. Seti looks back from the car
on the suppliant enemy, holding bow and scimitar in his left hand, over which is
the inscription, "He annihilates the chiefs of Kharu (Syrians) silences all
opposition in their mouths, his sword is powerful in strength, his prowess as
the son of Nut (Set or Sutech)." To the right before and above the horses'
heads, are the words, "The gracious god took in his hands his bow, as Mentu
within Thebes .... smiting down the Sati, making his frontiers at his pleasure,
no staying his arm in all lands, victorious king, protecting Egypt, he overthrew
the towers in rebellious countries."
127a. contiguous with the last,
repeats the battle scene (Ros. M. R. 49, 2; N. D. 2, 91). Under the horses, amid
the tumbled masses of the foe, appear three forts and two waters: the names are
partly effaced, "The well of Seti Meneptah," "The well Absakaba," "The Tower
(bekhen) of Ramenma," "The strength of Seti Meneptah." Words [p.512] above: "The gracious god, sun of Egypt, moon of
all lands, Meutu, over (foreign) countries, irresistible, stronghearted as Baru,
whom none passes by on the day of arraying battle; he enlarged the frontiers of
Egypt to the expanse of heaven, on every side of the rebellious tribes;
countless came the caitiff Shasu invaders; His Majesty (brought them) to
nought." Some words are effaced.
127b. Ros. M. R. 48, 1; N. D. 2, 89,
&c.; Br. Rec. 49c. Seti brings captives in two lines. A mutilated
inscription begins, "Coming of His Majesty from land of Upper Rutennu.'' In
front of him are the words, "Bringing spoil by the king to father Amen, when he
went from land of miserable Rutennu, of silver, gold, chesbet,
mafek (1) all precious stones, the chiefs of the people bound in his
grasp to fill the treasury of father Amen, in the strength thou gavest me."
Underneath these words are three stands of variously shaped vases containing the
treasure. Facing the king. Amen sits on his throne holding the cucupha sceptre,
and crowned with two high plumes. Above are the words, "Says Amen Ra, lord of
the thrones of two lands, (2) come in peace gracious god, lord of the two lands
Ramenma, I give thee victories over all countries, (thy terror) m heart of
barbarians (nine bows), their chiefs come to thee all as one laden on their
backs." Lower, between Amen's sceptre and face, "I give thee all lands under thy
dread, the barbarians bowed down at thy roarings." Between Amen and Mut, "The
great mother, lady of Aseru, lady of heaven, mistress of all gods, the giver of
all life as Ra," and "Chonsu m Uas Neferhotep, great god, lord of heaven."
Between the two rows of prisoners, "Chiefs of lands knowing not Egypt, brought
as live captives by His Majesty."
128a. M. 292; Ros. M. R. 50; N. D. 2,
93 and 92; Br. Roe. 49a, 48d. Seti in his car, preceded and followed by rows of
captives, whose necks are tied by a string of papyrus; three bearded heads of
slain foes appear protruding from the chariot wheels. In front above the horses
and car is carved, "Year 1 of the renewer of birth, king, lord (if two lands,
Ramenma giver of life, they came to tell His Majesty; the vile Shasu plotted (3)
mischief (?) their [p.5l3] chiefs of tribes stood all
together on the borders of Charu (Syria), the curse of discord seized them, each
slew his fellow; they were not ignorant of the ordinances (4) of the palace: (?)
glad was the king's heart thereon." Behind Seti, above captives: "Then the
gracious god rejoiced in taking his weapon, he exulted over the invader, his
heart was at ease on seeing streams of blood, he hewed off the heads of the
stubborn-hearted; he loves an hour of beating them down beyond a day of
pleasure; His Majesty slew them at once, not leaving their offspring (5), the
part that remained of them, as living prisoners, he brought to Egypt." Behind
Seti's chariot-wheels, underneath the row of three captives, is a prince with
bow in hand, stepping forward; above him the words, "Royal attendant on his
march over uplands of Rutennu, prince duke royal scribe, royal son loved by
him." .... Ramessu, Seti's successor, Rameses II, is the name which should
probably be supplied, as in a text given farther on. Between the prince and the
chariot is a fort, with the name above, "Uati of Seti Meneptah." On it is
engraved "the well" .... (illegible), a tree standing in a piece of water just
beneath. Another fort, partly standing m water, has beside it "the castle of
Ramenma" (Maktar, Migdol); and beneath, a well unnamed; and is placed close to
the hind legs of the horses. Behind the forelegs is a fort, "the house of the
lion," "Leontopolis," below which two trees enclose a space of water, and in
front of the middle row of prisoners another, "the fortress of T'ar," (Pa
khtm n T'ar), which Brugsch identifies with Etham, the station where the
children of Israel encamped, journeying from Succoth (Exod. xiii, 20). A
horizontal expanse of waterfall of fishes extends under the feet of the lowest
line of prisoners, and a vertical line of water, peopled with crocodiles, bounds
the picture to the right. The last, which is named the cut, or canal (ta
tena), is crossed by a bridge with towers on each side. Under the buildings
on the further side is the name, "the well of Hazina." On the various places
named in the course of Seti's expedition, it may suffice once for all to refer
to the works of the learned and indefatigable scholar, Brugsch-Bey, especially
to "Dict. de Geogr.," pp. 177, 310, Vol. VI. 33 [p.514] 589, 597, where he traces the successive stages of
the royal march from west to east; also "Gesch. Aeg.," p. 458, and following. As
to the tribes and countries designated by the names occurring in these
sculptures, there is for the most part a pretty general agreement among
scholars, while some questions still remain unsettled. On disputed points I do
not propose to touch, merely remarking that the explanation of Remenen as
Armenia, adopted by many high authorities, has been contested by Brugsch, who,
in his History of Egypt, p. 463, expresses the conviction that it means
Lebanon. The difficulty attending these geographical problems, even where the
similarity of names appears conspicuous, is well pointed out by Mariette-Bey in
his remarks on the word Fenekh (pp. 11 and 50 of his "Listes
Geographiques des pylones de Karnak"), a name which occurs in the monuments of
Thothmes III, and naturally suggests Phoenicia.
128b. Ros. M. R. 51; N.
D. 2, 93; Br. Rec. 49a. Two hues, priests and others, a double procession in two
lines, with uplifted hands and sound of music, some bowing low, welcome the
king. Inscription over this: "Divine servants, chiefs, captains of south and
north, come to render homage to the gracious god when he comes from the land of
Rutennu. bringing spoil in great abundance; never was seen his like since the
epoch of Ra; they say, glorifying His Majesty, extolling his prowess, Thou art
come from the lands thou hast quelled; thy word has become true (6); thy foes
are beneath thee; thy duration as king is as the sun in heaven, to slake thy
heart on the barbarians. Ra has made thy frontiers; his hands are behind thee
for protection; thy mace is over all lands; their chiefs fall to thy
sword."
129. N. D. 2, 106; Br. Rec. 50b. The king, clutching by the hair
a group of captives, uplifts his mace. Amen stands in front, stretching out the
scimitar in his right hand, and holding in his left, together with the key of
life, ropes passed round the necks of three rows of conquered enemies, their
arms tied behind, with shields in front declaring their nationality. Three more
rows below complete the picture; the two upper, containing nine shields each,
are led by a deity, whose name has disappeared: the lowest, with twenty- [p.515] nine shields, fills the whole length. Amen
addresses Seti in words of which some portion is lost both above and below. The
frequent lacunae often make the connection hard to discover. "Son of my loins,
beloved, lord of the two lands, Ramenma, revered of diadems, (who vanquishes)
his foes; I bring to thee all peoples who were invading thy frontiers .... (of
thy land) on its north; thy spirits are beneficent; thy terror circles thy
victories. I put thy fear in their breasts; hew down the wretches I make thee
lord of their heads, Herusha. ... (I put) my mace in (thy hands); thou hast
quelled the obdurate (There come) to thee their chiefs, bearing all the valuable
tributes of their countries; we give thee Egypt .., (slaves) for thy treasury; I
grant that to thee comes the south ready to bend in homage, the north to crouch
before thee; .... (the sea (?) under thy sway; I give thee dominion established
on earth; I grant that thy roarings ring amid .... his territory (?).... I open
to thee the roads of Punt .... I give thee a ministering priest (7) to lead thee
in solemn state, Chonsu-Horus; I give thee .... as thy servants; Hor-hut makes
his hands a home of comfort to thee. The countries of .... (nations) knowing not
Egypt, I grant that thy Majesty should tread them as in sport (8), as a jackal I
give thee possessions of the south and north regions, their powers; the domains
of the two gods (9) made thy domains." The captives are portrayed lifting up
their hands for mercy. In front of them a few words remain, forming part of the
address to Seti by the figure leading the two upper rows: "We give thee all
lands, all foreign countries, under thy sandals"; and beneath the feet of Seti
and his victims: "List of the peoples of south and north—whom His Majesty smote, making a great overthrow
of them; countless numbers of them brought as living prisoners to fill the
treasury of Amen Ra, lord of the thrones of the two lands and of all
regions."
130a. M. 300; Ros. M. R. 57; N. D. 2, 102. To the right the
Cheta fly in wild disorder. A line above them: "The wretched Cheta, of whom his
Majesty made a great overthrow." Seti is pictured as in 126; in front of
his [p.516] horses an inscription: "Hor Ra, strong
will, crowned in Thebes, giving life to south and north; king, lord of the two
lands, Ramenma, son of Ra; Seti, loved of Amen, the gracious god, dominant in
prowess, going forth in strength as Mentu; power potent as he that begot him;
illumining the two lands as Harmachis, great in prowess as the son of Nut,
victorious lord of the two lands by the deed of his hands; coursing the
battlefield (10) as the inmate of Nubti (Set), mighty in terror as Bar over
foreign countries, uniting the two lands (11), standing firm in the nest;
sheltering with his prowess the land of Kami, whose frontiers Ra has made far as
the limits which the sun's disk illumes; hawk divine, darting splendour;
traversing heaven as the Majesty of Ra; jackal who paces circling round this
land in the morning; grim lion exploring the hidden ways of every region; strong
bull with pointed horns beating down the Sati, trampling the Cheta, smiting
their chiefs, overwhelmed in their own blood, entering into them as flame of
fire, making them to nought."
130b continues the last, Ros. M. R. 58; N.
D. 2, 103; Br. Rec. 46c, 46d, 40e.
To the left, first, a double row of
prisoners; Seti's car follows, by which he stands, looking back to two captive
chariots led in triumph; prisoners described: "Chiefs of lands not knowing Kami,
bearing on their backs all choice produce of their lands." Above, the
inscription, extending over the captives to the head of the king: "The gracious
god, dominant in his changes, great of prowess as Mentu in Uas, young bull with
pointed horns, firm in beating down hundreds of thousands, lion exploring the
hidden ways of all regions, jackal of the south, whose steps circle round the
land in the hour (to destroy) his foes in every region; valiant warrior, to whom
is no second, whose bow knows the place of his hand; putting forth his spirits
as a hill of iron, he rests, and they taste his breath; Rutemiu come to him with
homage; the land of Tehi is prostrate; he stores corn at his desire in the land
of the caitiff Cheta; their chiefs fall to his blows, pass into nothing when the
greatness of his spirits is over them; as fire he ravages their towns." Behind
Seti we again read: "Victorious king, great of [p.517] prowess, whose roarings are as the son of Nut, come
in festival; he has ravaged the countries, trampled the land of Cheta; he has
quelled the rebels (12); every land quails before him, reduced to peace; the
dread of His Majesty has entered unto them, his fierceness has subdued (13)
their hearts; chiefs of countries are bound before him; he spared not hundreds
of thousands combined."
Here the representations in L. D. come to a
close. The "Monuments" and "Notices Descriptives" of Champollion and Rosellini,
add some scenes omitted by Lepsius.
M. 290; N. D. 87; Ros. M. R. 46. A
forest is seen on the left, with workmen felling trees, some wield axes, others
pull them down with ropes; some in front implore mercy with uplifted hands. The
king, alighted from his car, listens to a prince who leads into his presence the
Remenen: the words both of the prince and the prisoners are given. "Says the
fanbearer, on the king's right hand, in answer to the gracious god, 'All is done
as thou saidst, Horus, giver of life to upper and lower country, thou art as
Mentu over every land; the chiefs of Rutennu are seen, thy terror in their
limbs.' The chiefs of the country of Remenen says, adoring the lord of the two
lands, extolling his prowess, 'Thou art seen as thy father Ra; there is life in
beholding thee.'" Fragments of an inscription, of which the upper part is lost,
say, "Remenen cut (wood for) a large boat on the river likewise for the ..."
Behind Seti is another inscription, hopelessly defaced.
M. 293; N. D. 2,
94; Ros. M. R. 52; Br. Rec. 49c. Seti leads before Amen two lines of prisoners;
vases of treasure placed in front. Above the prisoners we read: "Chiefs of
countries that knew nut Egypt, whom the king brought from his victory over the
land of the caitiff Rutennu. They say, in extolling His Majesty with adoration
for his victories, 'hail! great is thy name, mighty thy prowess; joyous are
peoples that do according to thy will; fettered they that invade thy frontiers;
firmly established is thy dignity. We knew not Egypt, our fathers trod not on
it. Grant us breath by the gift of thy hands.'" Above the second line of
captives, "The spoil brought by His Majesty from the Shasu, cap- [p.518] tured by His Majesty himself, in the first year of
renewal of birth" (i.e., of his reign).
M. 294 and 294a form a
single picture, closely resembling, but not identical with L. D. 3, 129. and
much mutilated. N. D. 2. 95, 96; Ros. M. R. 60, 61; Br. Rec. 50. To the left
Seti with his mace, holds down the captives cowering low; above him fragments of
an inscription which once contained his royal titles remain: "Striking the
Petti, trampling the Mena, making his frontier to the edge of earth, to the
waterlands of Naharin." Above his left arm are the words: "Smiting the chiefs of
Petti, Mena, all hidden countries, all lands of Fenchu, the watery districts,
the great round of the vast green water." Opposite to Seti Amen stands holding
out the scimitar in his right hand, and in his left the cord fastened to three
rows of captive shields; three more below are led by a bow-bearing goddess, Uas,
or the Thebaid. In front of Amen's outstretched arm and weapon is one line:
"Take the sword, victorious king, smite with thy mace the Nine-bows." Under his
arm eight fragmentary lines, each commencing, "I grant that they see thy Majesty
as lord of heaven, thou shinest on their faces as image of myself. I grant that
they see thy Majesty decked with bravery, grasping thy weapons on thy chariot. I
grant, &c. ... like a star darting its heat of flame; scattering its dew."
In the following mostly illegible lines the phrases may be detected: "Firm of
heart, pointing his horns, inaccessible, irresistible, like the forms of Sechet
in her tempest ... on bodies amid the uplands ... great in prowess, not
withstood in heaven, in earth." This fragment illustrates a practice often
occurring in Egyptian records. A later inscription in honour of the reigning
prince, repeats almost word for word the phrases and images used previously to
extol his ancestor or remote predecessor. We find here put into the mouth of
Amen the words of a celebrated inscription of Thothmes III, translated in
"Records of the Past," vol. ii, p. 29, &c. Above Amen's head and behind his
figure a long inscription once existed. Now the whole latter portion is
miserably imperfect, more than half of all the [p.519] columns having disappeared at the top; still enough
is left to enable us to detect beyond doubt a similar usurpation on a larger
scale; a century or so later shows us the plagiarizer plagiarized. The fragments
given separately in the "Notices Descriptives," and in Brugsch's "Recueil," when
compared with Champollion's "Monuments," fully suffice to show that an
inscription carved at Medinet Habu, in honour of Rameses III, is closely copied
from this of Seti. The fuller inscription is given L. D. 3, 210, Dumichen H. I.
1, 16, 17; N. D. 1, 727; De Rouge Et. Eg., 10, 109; and has been translated
almost entirely by M. Chabas, "Etudes sur I'Antiquite Historique," p. 120, 1st
edition, 1872.
The version here given is made from Seti's inscription,
with passages placed within brackets, which from comparing the Medinet Habu text
(14), we may fairly conclude to have originally existed in this; any remarkable
difference between the two is pointed out in a note.
Saith Amen Ra, lord
of thrones of the two lands, "Son of my loins, beloved, Ramenma, lord of the
sword over all countries, I am thy father, I place thy dread among the Rutennu,
upper and lower; the Petti of Nubia are overwhelmed beneath thy sandals. I grant
that to thee come the chiefs of southern countries, they give for thee to
receive gifts of tribute, (bearing their children on their backs, with all
precious offerings of) their countries .... I turn my face to the North, to
enrich (thee, I place the land of Tesher beneath thy sandals, press thou thy
fingers on the stubborn, overthrow the Herusha by thy valiant sword), I grant
that to thee shall come (those who know not Egypt, carrying) then tribute, laden
with silver, gold, khesbet, all precious stones chosen from the divine
land (before thy noble countenance. I turn my face to the East, to enrich thee),
binding them all together within thy grasp, I assemble the countries (all the
growths of Punt) of gums, perfumes of tasheps; odours of all sweet
smelling woods of the divine land (to thy face, above the diadem on thy head). I
turn my face to the West to enrich thee, I plague for thee all lands of Tehennu;
(they come) softly treading in homage to thee, bowing low at thy roarings [p.520] to give thee glory. (I turn my face to heaven to
enrich thee) joyous to thee are all the gods (of the horizon of heaven) ....
(thou risest) (?) as Ra. at the front of morn, thou art fresh in youth, as Ra
when he brings noonday. I turn my face to earth (to enrich thee; I ordain to
thee victories over all lands); to thee the gods rejoice in their temples; to
thee is made duration for ages on the throne of Seb."
M. 295; N. D. 2,
98; Ros. M. R. 54, 1. Attack on the fortress of Katesh, very imperfectly
preserved. Defenders are seen on the top of the wall, some falling headlong from
the battlements. In front the fliers are pierced by the arrows of Seti, of whose
person no vestige remains; only the bodies of his horses and wheels of his car
in part defy time. Below the fort are trees and scampering cattle: its name can
be read near the top, and on the lower part is engraved, "Ascent made by Pharaoh
to storm the fort of Katesh, the land of Amar." A fragmentary inscription above,
too much mutilated to give any consecutive meaning.
M. 297; N. D. 2, 98;
Ros. M, R. 55. Battle scene. Seti in his chariot drives before him the enemy in
full flight; his horse's name is given, Trampler of the Plains. In the lower
part of the picture, as the king seizes one of "the chiefs of Tehennu," a
smaller figure behind him is named "The Prince, eldest royal son of his loins,
beloved by him, Rameses." In front of the chariot an inscription is partially
preserved, "Thy terror chastises the peoples, champion to whom is no fellow,
making by his sword the two lands know, that they may see in the whole land him
as Bar, scouring the hills, tearing open the regions with dread ; his name is
victorious, his sword powerful; none may stand before him."
M. 298; N. D.
2, 19; Ros. M. R. 55; Br. Rec. 45e. Seti drives before his car two lines of
captive Tehi, noticeable from the ostrich-plume on their head: his horse's name,
"Ken Amen," "Amen's strength." A short inscription above them says, "He made an
end of them standing at the gorge; they knew not how to seize their bows; they
watch in their dens like jackals, in dread of His Majesty."
M. 299; N. D.
2, 100; Br. Rec. 48a. Much likeness to [p.521] L. D.
3, 127i. Seti brings prisoners and spoil before Amen-Ra and other deities. "Says
Amen, lord of thrones of both lands, 'My son beloved, Ramennia, my heart
rejoices in thy love, exulting to see thy excellence; I grant that thy majesty
may roar over all countries .... over the head of their chiefs who come to thee
together .... with all their treasures lifted on their backs.'" Behind Amen are
"Mut, lady of Asru. lady of heaven, mistress of all gods; Chonsu m Uas
Neferhotep, Hor, lord of gladness, Tahuti, lord of Aptu" (Thebes), three names
applied to one god.
N. D. 2, 101; Br. Rec. 47. Seti's offerings are
described in terms nearly identical with those of L. D. 3, 127i. "The wretches
(bestau) of lands that knew not Egypt," are said to be brought "to fill
thy treasure-house (Amen's) with male and female slaves." Above the prisoners:
"His Majesty comes from lands (in which) he spoiled the Rutennu, slew their
chiefs; he made the Amu say, lo, behold him coming forth as fire when no water
is brought; he annihilated all rebels, all resistance in their mouth, he took
their breath from them." Above the lower line: "Chiefs of the lands of Tehennu
...." A few more fragments here and there may be read, but are too imperfect to
give any connection.
The only date found in these inscriptions is Seti's
first year; nor am I aware that any later date referring to warlike achievements
of his has been discovered. His ninth year occurs in the Redesieh
Inscription, which describes his efforts to remedy the loss of life caused
by drought to miners crossing the desert. There seem to be grounds for believing
that his reign did not extend much beyond this later date. The great Abydos
Inscription shows that his son Rameses was early raised to almost kingly
state; and we have seen him pictured as partner in Seti's campaign and triumph.
Assuming the young prince to be no more than 12 years old at this time, he would
be 20 at the epoch of the Redesieh record, in which Seti still appears as
monarch. The sixty-six years of Rameses's sole reign would thus give him
eighty-six or more of life, and we can hardly imagine it protracted far beyond
this. The traditional number of fifty-one years for Seti's reign is difficult to
admit, and not easy of explanation.
[p.522]
Notes.
(1). L.D. 3, 127b, line 4. Here a word occurs unknown to me
elsewhere, nor is the pronunciation clearly beyond doubt, [glyphs] mani seems
the most likely reading, as given by M. Pierret in his "Vocabulary," p. 194;
some precious mineral is probably intended.
(2). L.D. 3, 127b. "Lord of
thrones of two lands," the literal version of neb-nes-taui, which name
Mariette ("Karnak," p. 2), and Brugsch (D. G., p. 360), consider to
denote specially the sanctuary of Amen's temple at Aptu (eastern
Thebes).
(3). 128a, line 4. [glyphs]. The first words are not easy of
interpretation, though both are well known separately; [glyphs] seems to be the
verb, found frequently in the sense of turn round, wind, circle; the substantive
form often used to denote the solar motion, [glyphs]. Br. W. B., 1393. [glyphs]
which has here no determinative, mostly has one implying weariness or
prostration, [glyphs], or the evil bird [glyphs], or again the figure [glyphs]
denoting reprobate, accursed; it seems sometimes to alternate with the form
[glyphs] rebel; cf. Br. W.B. 423, 446. Now from the radical meaning,
turn: it is possible to derive two or three various conceptions which
might find place here. Turning round may suggest rounding into a ball, [glyphs],
massing themselves in revolt; or again, turn in the mind, corde volutare,
plotted revolt, the meaning given by Brugsch in his "Geschichte Aegpytens," p.
461. Of this usage no instance is known to me; still it suits the context well.
Thirdly, it might perhaps be applied to the failure of the insurrection; they
turned back routed (compare the Greek use of 'Greek]), "even as the chiefs of
their clans stood on the borders of Syria, discord [p.523] seized them, and they fell by each other's hands."
In Pianchi's inscription (line 23) it occurs in the sense of surround (a city)
(see Br. W. B. ut sup.); but I do not see how the meaning "they
surrounded the rebels" can be admissible here.
(4). 128a, line 8.
[glyphs]. This expression resembles one found in an inscription of Horemhib at
Silsilis (L.D. 3, 120): [glyphs] literal translation is, "they were not ignorant
of the ordinances of the palace" (which they knowingly defied, all the greater
was their guilt, and the more merited their punishment), may be supplied in
thought not expressed; or again, "which threatened their rebellion with death,
and so drove them to despair, ending in self-slaughter." Brugsch explains it,
"Only such as had not forgotten the commands of the court, to them the king was
gracious on that account." I cannot but think that if exceptional clemency to a
portion of the enemy were intended, it would have been more plainly and
expressly stated. The omission of the words here given in italics seems harsh;
moreover, [glyphs], appears rather to express delight than mercy. After all, may
the phrase be understood, they learnt to know the ordinances which they before
neglected, in the tone of scornful irony expressed in Discite justitiam,
&c.? The radical meaning of [glyphs] is probably that antithetical to
[glyphs], not know, be ignorant; thence easily flow the meanings, be unable,
fail to do anything, except, neglect, ignore, which Brugsch assigns to it here.
The Latin word ignosco may illustrate the transition to the sense spare,
favour, which seems to me equally indisputable (see Mr. Goodwin's remarks, Z.
A., 1867, p. 98); in L. D. 3, 1306, last line, spare is in my view the most
suitable rendering.
[p.524]
(5). 128a, line 18. [glyphs] so Champollion read it; some
characters apparently proved illegible to later copyists: "he left no progeny to
grow up among them, all that remained unslain he took away captive," this seems
to be the meaning of the words. The phrase [glyphs] occurs twice near the
beginning of Pentaur's story in the Karnak version, as copied by De Rouge, and
published in the 11th number of the "Etudes Egyptologiques." In plate 208, lines
11 and 12 (compare Pap. Raifet, line 7), we read how the Cheta prince
left no tribe unpressed for the war, left no gold or silver in his land. A third
instance is found in plate 213, line 24 (cf. Sall..3,2,8). [glyphs], reading of
hieratic text, formerly perplexing to me, is now made clear, and I venture to
propose the explanation, "I left not a good deed undone" (lit., behind my hand)
"for completion of the works in thy court." Again, Pap. D'Orb., p. 11,
line 9, [glyphs], "he left one of them alive," as Brugsch, W. B. 347, rightly,
in my opinion, translates. Of the widely ramified meanings of [glyphs] (with the
common interchange of transitive and intransitive), is probably the primary one,
whence an easy transition gives, let lie, leave undisturbed. The same verb comes
with a different application in L. D. 3, 130b, [glyphs], a phrase found also in
Pianchi's inscription, line 132, [glyphs]. In this last passage the second verb
[glyphs] ab is somewhat puzzling, and involves the whole sentence in
difficulty. Of the four published translations each renders it in a different
manner. Laying the corn (itself called [glyphs], that which is laid) may without
harshness be applied both to casting the seed, [p.525] and to depositing the gathered produce in the
granary; anyhow, the above words seem to denote that Rameses uses the Cheta land
as his own, sowing or reaping at his pleasure. In the word [glyphs] (on which
see Brugsch, W. B. 542) the context appears to me rather to favour the meaning
heir, offspring, in preference to that of inheritance,
patrimony, which, however, might yield a tolerable sense, "he left them
no property; he spoiled them of all."
(6). L.D. 3, 128b, 7. [glyphs],
"thy word is become truth; thou hast made good thy cause, and overcome the
wrongdoers," such seems to me the simple meaning of the original words. Much
light has been thrown on the usage of tills and cognate phrases by the valuable
remarks of M. Deveria, M. Grebaut, and other scholars; but it does not appear
demonstrated that in very many cases the old rendering, justified, is otherwise
than perfectly suitable and consistent with the original and literal sense of
[glyphs, ma-kheru], the voice of truth before the tribunal of Osiris, the
lord of truth and justice, is sure to prevail, he whose voice is true becomes
victorious and triumphant. The notions, justify against his enemies, and make to
prevail against his enemies, are so closely allied as to be scarcely
distinguishable. Thus the constant epithet to the dead may be fairly viewed as
equivalent to blessed, selig, as Brugsch W. B. 577, &c., expresses it. With
all the admiration which every student of Egyptian lore must gladly pay to the
learning and sagacity of Dr. L. Stern, I cannot be convinced by his new
explanation of this phrase given in Z.A., 1877, p. 120, &c. In the
XIIth Dynasty the two consecutive reigns of Amenemha III and IV exhibit
severally the titles [glyphs] (written also [glyphs]) and [glyphs], K. B. 183,
184. It seems hardly probable that in these two cases the [glyphs] should
represent two words entirely different in meaning, especially when we consider
the various compounds with "ma" found in royal titles—Ra-neb-ma, Hor-hkn-m-ma, Hor-ap-ma, Hor-neb-ma,
Hotep-hima, &c., where the sense truth or justice is manifestly the rig-lit
one.
[p.526]
(7) L.D. 3, 120. [glyphs] "I give thee an Anmutf to conduct
thee, Chonsu-Horus." Anmut or Anmutf is a title given to a minister who
officiates on solemn occasions, wearing the pard skin. The word is translated by
M. Pierret in his "Vocab. Hieroglph.," p. 34, high priest. In his "Dict.
d'Archeologie," p. 45, he notices a likeness to Khem Hor, observing that the
title Horanmntf (not nufrequently found) recalls the well-known Amen Kamutf.
This personage appears sometimes in a divine, sometimes in a human character. In
the temple of Semneh, raised by Thotmes III to the Nubian deity Tetun, an Anmutf
addresses the god, who has placed the southern crown on the head of Thotmes,
while the king kneels in front of his feet, "Thy son who loves thee reposes on
thy seat ; he inherits thy throne, becomes king of this land, unrivalled for
ever; exalt thou his spirits, create his terror in the hearts of barbarians, in
approval of this sanctuary of good white stone he has made thee." Just above the
minister are the words. [glyphs].
In the tomb of Rameses I (L. D. 3,
123a) a priest has this name who stands in front of Osiris Chentamenti, seated
on his tin-one, and repeats a formula, "in peace, rest for ever," to greet the
deceased monarch whom Horsihes Tum and Neith conduct into the presence of the
divine judge.
In the tomb of Seti himself a distinctly divine personality
seems to be assigned to him. Champollion's "Monuments," 237, presents a scene
where Seti on a throne is confronted by two figures wearing the panther's hide,
one above the other. The upper looks away from Seti, and the words are engraved
before him, "Saith Anmutf, I come to thee son beloved, Osirian king Ramenma
justified; I give thee years as Ra, thy power as Tum." The lower figure looks
towards Seti, with the words, "Saith Hor Anmutf, I am Hor who love thee, lord of
both lands, loved of Ra, Osirian king Ramenma justified; I give thee the throne
of Ra, even as he rises amid the dwellers of the upper heaven."' An address of
Horanmntf to Seti. commencing similarly with a somewhat [p.527] different ending, is also quoted from the same tomb
in the "Notices Descriptives," I, p. 797. Comp. p. 436.
In L. D., 3,
202f, Horanmutf, "great god, lord of ages," stands with uplifted hand, facing
"divine mother, royal mother Tachat," saying, "We give a seat in Kharneter, as
the cycle of great gods." In another grave at Bab-el-meluk (L. D.. 206g),
Horanmutf, holding a censer in his left hand, dropping water from an ewer with
his right, accosts, "Chief royal wife, lady of the two lands, Titi." In Seti's
temple at Gurna (L. D. 3, 1515), two seated figures of Rameses I (Ramenpeh),
looking different ways, are sculptured, with an Anmutf standing in front of
each, who invokes Seb and the cycle of great and lesser gods to bestow blessings
on the deceased king by the gift of his grandson Rameses II, and a line between
the two divisions attests the renewal of the monument by Rameses II, in honour
of his father's father Ramenpeh and his father Ramenma. In Seti's temple at
Abydos, brought to light by Mariette-Bey, a panther-vested ministrant repeatedly
appears, named variously Anmutf, Hor-Anmutf, and, with an additional priestly
title, Sem Hor-Anmutf. See especially plates 28, 33, and 34, where Sem
Hor-Anmutf assists in the purifying rites, and addresses the cycle of deities in
favour of "his dear son Ramenma,'' to whom he presents the consecrated "eye of
Horus." In Denderah likewise (as I learn from M. Lefebure "Et. Eg.," 3, 56) the
phrase is found [glyphs], Anmutf is Hor.
L.D. 3, 175b, shows an
inscription on a rock between Assuan and Philae, where Rameses II appears making
offerings to Chnum, followed by his queen Hesinefert and his son Chamuas, who is
styled Anmutf. Two other sons Rameses and Meneptah, and a daughter Batanta, are
placed below.
Seeing then that in Seti's age the part of Anmutf might be
acted both by divine and human personages, we may without violence suppose Amen
to say to him, "I give thee a god as Anmutf to conduct thee in solemn state,"
and Horus is the god we should expect to find designated for this office. Here
he is named Chonsu Hor, the name of two deities, mostly distinct, being united
in one. The fusion of [p.528] separate powers is so
prevalent in Egyptian mythology that this need hardly surprise us; still it may
be well to show that this special combination is not unexampled.
In a
scene copied by Champollion, IM. 290 (see above translation, p. 13), Seti stands
before three deities: (l) Amen, (2) Mut, (3) [glyphs] Chonsu m Uas nefer-hotep,
"Hor lord of width of heart (exultation), Tahuti lord of Aptu (Thebes)." In this
title a triple unity is represented; we more commonly find either Khonsu Hor or
Khonsu Tahuti in combination. Thus in the great Harris Papyrus, p. 10, line 14,
pa khonsu m Uas nefer hotep, Hor neb aua het (or ah):
"Records of the Past," 636; Brugsch, D. G. 600. In the great temple at
Abusimbel, L D. 3, 191i, Rameses II is figured kneeling before a god,
hawk-headed, and crowned with the lunar disk, whose name is given khonsu m
Uas nefer hotep, Hor neb ... A character follows which is not clear
as given in the text, but as the state of the face of wall beneath shows traces
of the destructive work of time, it may be fairly supposed part of the aua
het, the epithet given above to Chonsu Hor.
L.D. 3, 223i. At Western Silsilis, a singular inversion is
found; a later Rameses stands before Amen-ra, Mut, and Chonsu m Uas nefer hotep
aua het Hor, and Sebak Ra.
L. D. 3, 229c. In a rock stele at Anibe three figures are named
Amen Ra, Mut, Chonsu m Uas neb aua het; the name of Hor is not given, but his
usual epithet added to Chonsu's titles; likewise in Chonsu's Temple at Thebes,
238 5. L. D. 3, 234a, gives another identification, Chonsu nefer hotep Shu, in a
tomb at Thebes. L. D. 3, 237b, Chonsu nefer hotep m Aptu Tahuti lord of
Hermonthis.
In Ptolemaic times instances occur of Chonsu's name combined
with Hor, Tahuti, Ra, Shu; see L. D. 4, 9b, 11c, 14c, &c. No other instance
is known to me where Chonsu Hor is found as an Anmutf, though the name
Hor-anmutf is so common, and indeed, according to Dr. Brugsch, D. G. 79, appears
as the local deity of a town Ateb, between Dendera and Abydos. The purport of
the name is not certain, and throws no light upon the mysterious functions of
this office; [p.529] it may, perhaps, refer to some
myth that has not reached us. The verb [glyphs], lead in a solemn procession, is
too familiar to need illustration; the same word, as a noun, is used to denote
the ark in which the form of a deity was paraded in grand state ceremonies so in
L. D. 3, 142, 150a, 180a.
(8). L.D.3,129b, 7. [glyphs] The word [glyphs]
is explained by Brugsch, W. B. 1357-8, "amuse oneself," answering to [glyphs] =
with which it is sometimes coupled, and I see no better explanation to be
suggested for it here.
(9). L.D. 3, 129b, 8. [glyphs]. The translation
given is that which De Rouge in his "Chrestomathie," t. iii, p. 100, adopts for
these words, the two gods being Horns and Set, whose contest for the dominion of
Egypt and final partition is alluded to in the fourth Sallier Papyrus, and in
the inscription re-engraved by Sabako after an older original, now contained in
the British Museum, and printed in the first series of Egyptian Inscriptions,
plate 36 and following. As much of it as was still legible was translated and
criticised in 1870 by Mr. Goodwin, whose recent death (an irreparable loss to
Egyptian philology) every lover of the study must deplore. Chabas, Mel.
Eg. iii, 1, 247, 285: In this the word occurs both as verb and noun, with
reference to this division of the domain between the two claimants. Cf. Brugsch,
W. B. 509-510, who might also have cited earlier illustrations of this usage;
for instance, we find a passage which may be compared in a rock-inscription at
Tombos, LD. 3, 5, line 2, where Thothmes I is said to rule [glyphs] the portions
of Hor and Set, uniting both regions. Again, in the base of Queen Hatasu's
obehsk, L. D. 3, 24f, n. 3, [glyphs] [p.530] "I raise
the white crown, I rise in the red crown. I unite South and North, both their
portions; I rule the land as the son of Hes. I am strong as the son of Nut."
Again, L. D. 3, 119e, where Ammon addresses King Horns, [glyphs]. It may be
worth while to observe the striking difference between mythological versions of
the same story as they have come down to us. In the Sallier Papyrus IV, the
battle is fully described, and the reconciliation mentioned, but no important
part in the final arrangement is assigned to Seb, any more than to Kronos by
Plutarch in his treatise, whereas in Sabaco's inscription, Seb appears as the
arbiter who settles the dispute. Should not the last words in the sixteenth
column of p. 36 in E. I. sec. 1, which are printed [glyphs] understood of Seb,
"he adjudged the dispute of Hor with Set," as Thoth is called [glyphs] arbiter
between two combatants, a title given likewise to Amen in the Boulaq Papyrus,
No. 17, 8, 4.
(10). L.D. 130a, 6. [glyphs]. The meaning assigned here to
[glyphs] is in accordance with the views of Brugsch, Z. A. 1876, 99-100, who
quotes several passages where this sense suits the context perfectly, and where
the determinative [glyphs] points to a place, as [glyphs] does to a forcible
action; Schauplatz, field of view, acquires the notion field of battle, as we
sometimes use field by itself with this farther meaning.
(11). L.D. 130a, 7. [glyphs]. Samtaui, uniter of the two lands,
frequently occurs in the royal scutcheons, mostly in conjunction with the name
of Horus. So far the words present no difficulty. In what follows the first
character seems to require a slight change, l
should be k = [glyphs] the determinative here
standing; alone for the word which it usually follows. Exactly the same
combination is cited by Brugsch, Z. A. 1876, p. 100, from a stele in the British
Museum, belonging to the date of Thotmes IV, [p.531]
"behind His Majesty he stood firm ([glyphs]) on the battle-field." Likewise in
L. D. 3, 150, the same three characters come together twice, and moreover the
character l is found three times in an
inscription given on the same page, immediately after [glyphs] as determinative.
We may suppose the mark underneath, which distinguishes the one from the other,
to have become illegible to the copyists, if it was not neglected by the carver;
anyhow, the value of the sign seems certain. Mar, Ab., p. 346 1, [glyphs] occurs
= [glyphs]. In our copies of the inscriptions a frequent confusion is found
between [glyphs] and [glyphs], when the sense mostly points out which of the two
is correct.
(12). L.D. 130b. [glyphs] "he made an end of" (see Brugsch,
W. B. 1464). A play upon the words is apparently intended in [glyphs] equivalent
to [glyphs] following [glyphs].
(13). [glyphs] The first word with this determinative is
unknown to me, and is not mentioned by our lexicographers, except in M.
Pierret's Vocabulary, p. 11, where he quotes this passage, and affixes to the
word a "?" Whether it may be connected with [glyphs] pest, a name of the
Hyksos, or [glyphs] "a net," is not easy to determine; it is evidently the
nominative to [glyphs], a verb common in the sense of "subdue," "overthrow,"
literally perhaps "tear open," and must refer to the destructive force of Seti.
For [glyphs] compare L. D. 126, 6.
[p.532]
(14). In this note K. stands for the Karnak text (Seti); M. for
that of Medinet Habu (Rameses III).
N.D. 2, 96, line 3. The words, "I am
thy father; I place thy dread among the Rutennu, upper and lower," are not found
in M. [glyphs]. All that remains in K. of what should answer to this seems to be
[glyphs]. The first words present a remarkable likeness to those occurring in L.
D. 3, 128a discussed above, but are not easily brought to correspond with what
the later inscription has in this place, though the concluding "thy sword"
points to a similar connection of ideas. [glyphs] in general meaning answers
pretty well to [glyphs] sense might be "the rebels in the nests (have fallen to)
thy sword," or "thy sword has felled," or "the rebels have turned, fled." The
form [glyphs] occurs in an inscription of Thotmes II, which describes the dread
of his might pervading all foreign nations (L. D. 3, 16a, 3), but the connection
in which it is found is obscure, and I suspect the exact characters of the
original are not reproduced. Here too the perplexity may be in part due to the
damaged state of the stone, rendering certainty of transcription
impossible.
N.D. 2, 97, line 4. [glyphs] tasheps, or taas,
a fragrant tree, frequently mentioned in the great Hams Papyrus, 16a,
&c.
K. gives [glyphs] according to N. D. 2, 97. M. has (line 18),
"To thee rejoice gods of the horizon of heaven," [glyphs] meaning above given to
the words of K. depends on a slight change which
[p.533] I conjecture has to be made in the last characters,
reading
¨ for
·,
[glyphs] midday, noon {see Br. W. B., 723), in antithesis to morning, which
precedes, seems more appropriate than any other sense which suggests itself.
M.'s text, not altogether legible, seems to give "Birth (or born) of Ra in the
front of the morning; thou art young alike .... he brings order, harmony." It
may be observed that in the three last lines the copy of K. published in the
"Notices Descriptives" has an error of arrangement; the final line, as there
printed, ought to precede the two that come before it. The "Monuments," plate
294a, and Brugsch "Recueil," 50a, give the right order.
N.D. 2, 97, line
8. The last phrase of K. is clear and suitable. M. has a different ending, not
quite so perspicuous, remarkable as repeating words already found in L.D. 3,
129, 6: [glyphs] (the variety a [glyphs] appears in the earlier monument, and
finishes the sentence). No dictionary that I have seen gives this word; two
other instances of its occurrence are known to me, L.D. 3, 131b, in Seti's
temple at Gurnah, two sides of a pannel record, in almost identical terms,
memorials dedicated by that monarch to his father Ramases [glyphs]. The opposite
inscription varies only in giving the second royal title of each king, and for
[glyphs], a splendid house. The parallelism of phrase and the determinative
alike show that the word represents an edifice. It is also found in Mar. Ab.,
plate 19, where several names are given, which are applied to the sacred
chambers in part of Seti's temple. One of these is [glyphs] the equivalence of
[glyphs] with [glyphs] is shown as well by other instances as by its being used
in the name Ramenma. The elements of the word are familiar: [glyphs] the radical
meaning of which is
firm,
stand,
station, &c..
[p.534] appears itself in the sense of a
seat;
Brugsch. AV.B., 640, and compare Mar. Ab., plate 47b, [glyphs],
Shu in the upper seat,
Tefnut in the lower. The syllable
comes at the commencement of several local names, as Mennofer (Memphis), &c.
A town,
Menskab, [glyphs], appears in a pyramid of Giseh, under the
cartouche of king Tatkara, L.D. 2, 76b; cf. D.G. 268.
The second element of the word [glyphs] with the notion of
water, libation, cooling, &c., likwise enters into the
names of places, as in [glyphs], D.G. 788, &c. Thus the compound may fairly
be taken to denote a mansion where refreshing quiet may be obtained: with us the
image might be expressed, "Horus makes his arms thy support and comfort." The
words [glyphs] (which have already occurred, L.D. 3, 129), under the seat of
thy face, convey the notion, subject to thy rule, which thou canst
command at will; see Br. W.B. 1152, and cf. L.D. 3, 243a, 2, [glyphs]
Mariette, Karnak, 35, 49, [glyphs].
I am not aware that the parallelism
of these two inscriptions of Seti and of Rameses III has been pointed out
before. As other known instances of similar repetition, compare L.D. 3, 194, a
long inscription of Rameses II at Abusimbel, copied by Rameses III at Medinet
Habu, Diun. H.I. 1, 7-10; for the translation see Dum. Flotte. p. 9. Compare
also L.D. 3, 162 (Rameses II) with L. D. 3, 202 (Rameses III); cf. J. de Rouge,
Mel. Arch. 1, 128; and a triple address to the Nile by Rameses II,
Meneptah I, and Rameses III, L.D. 3, 175, 200, 218, examined and translated by
Stern, Z. A., 1873, 129.
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