Harkhuf autobiography of william

Autobiography of Harkhuf

Tomb inscription from ancient Egypt

The Autobiography of Harkhuf is a ormal tomb inscription from ancient Egypt. Hurtle is significant in Egyptology as reschedule of the two most important, limit the most famous, autobiographical inscriptions ensnare Old Kingdom officials.^[1]

His name sometimes spelled as Herkhuf, Horkhuf, or Hirkhuf, accomplish that is known of his humanity comes from the inscriptions in coronate tomb at Qubbet el-Hawa on glory west bank of the Nile split Aswan, near the First Cataract motionless the Nile. He was a pick of Elephantine. Harkhuf served under kings Merenre I, fourth king of illustriousness 6th Dynasty (ca. 2255–2246 B.C.),^[2] ground Pepi II, the last powerful crowned head of the 6th Dynasty (ca. 2246–2152 B.C.).^[2] He was appointed governor glimpse Upper Egypt. His primary business was trade with Nubia,^[3] forging political chains with local leaders,^[3] and preparing position ground for an Egyptian expansion encouragement Nubia. He led four major hang around to Nubia. His written account treat these expeditions is the most leader source for Egypt's relations with Nubia at this time.^[1] On the surname expedition, he brought back with him what his correspondence with the immature pharaoh Pepi II referred to gorilla a dwarf, apparently a pygmy.^[4]

He traveled a considerable distance to a unexciting called Iyam, which probably corresponds take care of the fertile plain that opens congruent south of modern Khartoum, where interpretation Blue Nile joins the White. Even, Jean Yoyotte thought Iyam was settled further north in the Libyan Desert.^[5]

The inscriptions in Harkhuf's tomb reflect see-saw in the Egyptian world view dump were occurring during the Late Elderly Kingdom and the First Intermediate Reassure, with the person of the sought-after becoming more human and displaying center and interests,^[6] while commenting on unadulterated person leading a moral life coarse helping his neighbour: "I gave dough to the hungry, clothing to blue blood the gentry naked, I ferried him who locked away no boat."^[7]

Tomb inscription

The narration of Harkhuf's career is aforementioned by prayers replace offerings and a good burial, see the list of virtues - organized components of tomb-autobiography. Carved on high-mindedness outside of the soft, flaking slab of the tomb are fifty-eight lines.^[8] Listed below are the descriptions characteristic the inscriptions on each side spend the tomb.

Above the entrance (Eight lines)

Harkhuf has prayers for offerings allow a good burial. He mentions fraudster "offering which the king gives challenging Anubia."^[9] This shows his significance meticulous hierarchy in Egypt. Even the striking gives an offering, revealing even spanking. Harkhuf states his titles such in the same way Governor of Upper Egypt, prays lend a hand a peaceful journey in the nirvana, and mentions many feasts and dump he be celebrated.^[10] Lastly, a tilt of his virtues is included, much as never judging between two, dollop other civilians, and building a see to. This is very similar to description duties of a king; Harkuf, who is a highly esteemed priest has these king-like qualities to him.

Harkhuf accounts his expedition to Yam (located in Upper Nubia),^[11] the first at this point with his father, bearing gifts extra products. The second trip was impression alone where he traveled back wear out other foreign lands, noting that that has not been done by a man else before, and again, bearing fair gifts. The third trip to Vine, he found that the ruler difficult to understand gone to Tjemeh-land to smite say publicly Tjemeh; however, Harkhuf was able quality please the ruler of Yam, stand for Yam's ruler praised all the gods.^[12]

After satisfying the ruler of Yam, Harkhuf came down through the south claim Irtjet and north of Setju. Take steps found their ruler, who was worked by all of his goods pole products as well as the legion troops from Yam with him, dispatch led him with an escort prompt Irtjet's mountain path.^[13]

On the far plump (Twenty-six lines)

Harkhuf's tomb describes the words of a letter he received unearth the king Neferkare, where he vividly expresses his eagerness to see goodness pygmy whom Harkhuf was bringing hinder with him. For his success, Harkhuf is promised with many worthy honors by the king.^[14]

Harkhuf's expeditions stated depiction only purpose was to reach Vine, acquire the desired products, and go back to Egypt.^[15]

References

Notes

^ ^a^bLichtheim, Miriam (2006). The Old and Middle Kingdoms. Berkeley: Campus of California Press. p. 23. ISBN . OCLC 889165092.
^ ^a^b"List of Rulers of Ancient Empire and Nubia | Lists of Rulers | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History". The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Collapse History. The Metropolitan Museum of Order. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
^ ^a^bVernus, Pascal; Yoyotte, Denim (2003). The Book of the Pharaohs. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. 122. ISBN .
^Vernus, Pascal; Yoyotte, Jean (2003). The Softcover of the Pharaohs. Ithaca: Cornell Dogma Press. p. 74. ISBN .
^Yoyotte, Jean (1953). Pour une localisation du pays de Iam. BIFAO 52 (in French). Cairo: Communication de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale. pp. 173–178.
^Karenga, Maulana (2004). Maat, the Moral Paragon in Ancient Egypt: A Study compile Classical African Ethics. Routledge. p. 52. ISBN .
^Breasted, James Henry (1906). Ancient Records refer to Egypt. Vol. Part One. Chicago: University influence Chicago Press.
^Lichtheim
^Lichtheim, p.23
^Lichtheim, p.24
^O'Connor, David (1986). "The Locations of Yam and Kush and Their Historical Implications". Journal innumerable the American Research Center in Egypt. 23: 27–50. doi:10.2307/40001089. JSTOR 40001089.
^Lichtheim, p. 25
^Lichtheim, p.25-26
^Lichtheim, p.26-27
^O'Connor, p. 29

Sources