Ancient Egyptian texts: Stela of Khusobek
Printout For best results save the whole webpage (pictures included) onto your hard disk, open the page with Word 97 or higher, edit if necessary and print. Printing using the browser's print function is not recommended. |
 |
Stela of Khusobek |
||
| 1 His majesty proceeded northward, to overthrow the Asiatics (mnTjw-sTt [1]). His majesty arrived at a district, Sekmem (skmm) was its name. 2 His majesty led the good way in proceeding to the palace of "Life, Prosperity and Health", when Sekmem had fallen, together with Retenu(rTnw) the wretched, 3 while I was acting as rearguard. | |
The autobiographical part of the hieroglyphic text (Opening in a new window)
 Khusobek: at times transliterated as Sobek-khu or Sebek-khu, was also named Djaa.overthrow the Asiatics: military campaigns into Canaan did at this time not result in occupation of the territory. The Middle Kingdom rulers concentrated their expansionary efforts on Nubia. |
||
| Then the citizens (anxw) of the army mixed in, to fight with the Asiatics (aAmw). Then 4 I captured an Asiatic (aAm) and had his weapons seized by two citizens (anxw) of the army, (for) one did not turn back from the fight, (but) my face was to the front, and I gave not my back to the Asiatics. |
citizens of the army: see Citizens of the army |
|||
|
As Sesostris lives, 5 I have spoken in truth. Then he gave to me a staff of electrum into my hand, a bow, and a dagger wrought with electrum, together with his weapons. 6 The hereditary prince, count, firm of sandal, satisfied in going, treading the path of him that favors him, 7 whose plenty the Lord of the Two Lands has furnished, whose seat his love has advanced, the great [commandant (?)] of the (residence) city, Zaa (DAA). |
Sesostris: Senusret IIIelectrum: precious metals were at this time rarely in the hands of private persons. They were often given to deserving soldiers.together with his weapons: being awarded the weapons of a foe one had defeated was common practice during the New Kingdom.commandant: Breasted: wartw. This uncertain title is shown to be , here at least that of the officers of the king's personal troops; but the frequent defining additions show that it was a title of general meaning, like "chief" or "leader". |
|||
| 8 He says: "I have made for myself this splendid tomb; its place is inserted at the stairway of 9 the great god, lord of life, presider over Abydos, at the bend: 'Lord of Offerings', and at the bend: 'Mistress of Life'; [that I may (?)] smell the incense 10 that comes forth from this - as the odor of the god." |
'Lord of Offerings' ....... 'Mistress of Life': according to Breasted apparently two promontories of the desert margin in the cemetery of Abydos. |
|||
|
The chief attendant of the (residence) city, Zaa; 11 he says: "I was born [in] the year 27 under the majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebkure, triumphant. 12 The majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Khekure, triumphant, appeared with the double diadem upon the Horus-throne of the living. 13 His majesty caused that I should render service as a warrior, behind and beside his majesty, with six men of 14 the court. Then I made ready at his side, (and) his majesty caused that I be appointed to be an 'attendant of the ruler'. 15 I furnished sixty men when his majesty proceeded southward, to overthrow the 16 Troglodytes of Nubia. Then I captured a Negro in /// alongside my city. 17 Then I proceeded northward, following with six of the court; then he appointed (me) commander of the attendants, and gave to me 100 men as a reward." James Henry Breasted, Ancient Records of Egypt, Part One, §§680-687 |
Nebkure: Nebkaure Amenemhet II (ca.1917-1882)Khekure: Khakaure Senusret III (ca.1878-1841)furnished: probably commanded.sixty men: this command would correspond to a that of lieutenant.100 men: About a company. He held a rank corresponding to captain. |
|||
|
|
||||
| Source of the image of the hieroglyphic text: John Garstang, El Arabah, Egyptian Research Account 1900 |
||||
|
 | Index of Texts |
| [1] Transliteration and pronunciation of ancient Egyptian | |
| Index of Topics | |
| Main Index and Search Page | |
| Feedback: Please report broken links, mistakes - factual or otherwise, etc. to me.Thanks. | ||
