The Literature of the Ancient EgyptiansBudge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir
History
The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians
Budge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir
Egyptian literature -- History and criticism; Egyptian literature -- Translations into English
I transported the King of the South, the King of the North, Tcheserkarā
(Amenhetep I), whose word is truth, when he sailed up the river to Kash
(Cush, Nubia) to extend towards the south the frontiers of Egypt. His
Majesty captured that accursed Anti of Nubia in the midst of his
accursed bowmen; he was brought back, fettered by the neck, and they
could not escape. [They were] deported, and were not allowed [to remain]
upon [their] own land, and they became as if they existed not. And
behold, I was at the head of our bowmen! I fought with all my strength
and might, and His Majesty saw my bravery. I brought back two hands and
carried them to His Majesty. And the king went and raided men, women,
and cattle, and I rose up and captured a prisoner and brought him alive
to His Majesty. I brought back His Majesty from Khnemet-heru,[1] and the
king gave me a gift of gold. I brought back alive two women whom I had
captured in addition to those I had already carried to His Majesty, and
the king appointed me to be "Āhatiu-en-Heq" (_i.e._ "Warrior of the
Princes," or "Crown-warrior"). I transported the King of the South, the
King of the North, Āakheperkarā, whose word is truth, when he sailed up
the river to Khent-hen-nefer, to put down the rebellion in Khet land,
and to put an end to the incursions of the people of Asemt. I fought
with great bravery in his presence in the troubled water during the
towing (?) of the fighting barges over the rapids(?), and the king made
me the "Captain of the Transport." His Majesty, life, strength, health
[be to him!] ... raged like a panther, he shot his first arrow, [which]
remained in the neck of the vanquished foe ... [the enemies] were
helpless before the flaming serpent on his crown; [thus] were they made
in the hour of defeat and slaughter, and their slaves were brought back
prisoners alive. Returning His Majesty sailed down the river having all
the mountains and deserts in his hand. And that accursed Anti of Nubia
was hung up head downwards, at the prow of the boat of His Majesty, and
[then] placed on the ground in the Apts (_i.e._ Karnak). After these
things the king set out on an expedition against Rethenu (Northern
Syria), to avenge himself on foreign lands. His Majesty went forth
against Neharina, where he found that the wretched enemy had set his
warriors in battle array. His Majesty defeated them with great
slaughter, and those who were captured alive and brought back by him
from his wars could not be counted. And behold, I was the captain of our
soldiers, and His Majesty saw my deeds of might. I brought out of the
fight a chariot with its horses, and he who had been driving it was
fettered prisoner inside it, and I carried them to His Majesty, who gave
me a gift of gold, a twofold portion. Then I waxed old, and I arrived at
a great age, and the favours [bestowed upon] me were as [many as those]
at the beginning [of my life] ... a tomb in the mountain which I myself
have made.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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