Ancient Egyptian Texts

Ancient Egyptian textsIs there any here like Hardjedef? Is there another like Iyemhotep? There have been none among our kindred like Neferti and Khety. I recall to you the names of Ptahemdjehuty and Khakheperresonbe. Is there another like Ptahhotep or Kaires?Chester Beatty Papyrus IVSergio Donadoni ed.,The Egyptians, University of Chicago Press 1997, p.61 Like all else in Egyptology, ancient texts are the source of much controversy. While deciphering the writing and rediscovering the language has come a long way since Champollion, many doubts remain and translators can have widely differing interpretations of the same texts (cf the two versions of theHymn to the Nile) This reader consists mostly of older translations which have been largely superseded by, as we hope, scientifically more correct versions. Some of the texts have been retranslated by me from French, German or Spanish versions, which adds another layer of possible misinterpretations. All this should however not diminish the pleasure that can be derived from reading them.What they built of gates and chapels now are fallen,their soul-priests and their gardeners are gone,their headstones undiscovered in the dirt,their very graves forgotten.But their fame lives on in their papyrus rollscomposed while they were still alive;And the memory of those who wrote such books shall lastto the end of time and for eternity.John Lawrence Foster,Ancient Egyptian Literature: An Anthology, 2001 University of Texas Press, p.226Let's hope so.

Mythology, hymns, magical writings

A Hymn to Osiris and the Legend of the Origin of Horus

1Homage to thee, Osiris, Lord of eternity, King of the gods, whose names are manifold, whose transformations are sublime, whose form is hidden in the temples, whoseKais holy, the Governor ofTetut, the mighty one of possessions (?)2in the shrine, the Lord of praises in the nome ofAnetch, President of thetchefafood inAnu, Lord who art commemorated in [the town ofMaati, the mysterious (or, hidden) Soul, the Lord ofQerret, the sublime one inWhite Wall, the Soul of Ra [and] his very body, who hast thy dwelling in3Henensu, the beneficent one, who art praised inNart, who makest to rise up thy Soul, Lord of the Great House in the City of the Eight Gods [who inspirest] great terror inShas-hetep, Lord of eternity, Governor ofAbtu.Tetut:Djedet, Busiris, was the original home of the Osiris worshipAnetch:Andjet, 9th nome of Lower Egypt, capital BusirisAnu:On, HeliopolisMaati:Centre of the Ptah worship in the 2nd nome of Lower Egypt, capital LetopolisQerret:Region of the 1st Nile cataract.White Wall:First nome of Lower Egypt, MemphisHenensu:Henen-nesut, Herakleopolis in the 20th nome of Upper EgyptNart:HerakleopolisCity of the eight Gods: KhemenuHermopolis, where the primeval hill had risen out of the waters of Nun.Eight gods:the Ogdoad including Nu, Nut; Hehu, Hehut; Kekui, Kekuit; Kerh, and Kerhet.Shas-hetep:Shas-hotep, Apotheke, Seth cult centreAbtu: Abdu,Abydos, centre of worship of Khentamenthes who was identified with Osiris

Thy seat (or, domain) reacheth far intoTa-tchesert, and thy name is firmly stablished in the mouth[s] of men.4Thou art the two-fold substance of theTwo Landseverywhere (?), and the divine food of theKau, the Governor of theCompanies of the Gods, and the beneficent (or, perfect) Spirit-soul among Spirit-souls. The god Nu draweth his waters from thee, and thou bringest forth thenorth wind at eventide, and wind from thy nostrils to the satisfaction of thy heart.5.Thy heart flourisheth, and thou bringest forth the splendour oftcheffood.Ta-tchesert:(MdC transliteration:tA-Dsr) lit. sacred land - the necropolis, the realm of the dead.Two Lands:Upper and Lower EgyptKau:pl.ofka, immortal part of living beingsCompanies of the Gods:the gods of Heaven, of Earth, and of the Other Worldnorth wind at eventide:cool wind blowing from the Mediterranean

The height of heaven and the stars [thereof] are obedient unto thee, and thou makest to be opened the great gates [of the sky]. Thou art the lord to whom praises are sung in the southern heaven, thou art he to whom thanks are given in the northern heaven. The stars which never6diminish are under the place of thy face, and thy seats are thestars which never rest. Offerings appear before thee by the command ofKeb. The Companies of the Gods ascribe praise unto thee, the Star-gods of the Tuatsmell the earth before thee, the domains [make] bowings [before thee], and the ends of the earth make supplication to thee7[when] they see thee.stars which never rest:circumpolar stars which never set, souls of the deceasedKeb:Geb, father of Osirissmell the earth before thee:prostrate themselves, seeAmarna letters

Those who are among the holy ones are in terror of him, and the Two Lands, all of them, make acclamations to him when they meet His Majesty. Thou art a shining noble at the head of the nobles, permanent in [thy] high rank, established in [thy] sovereignty, the beneficent Power of the Company of the Gods. Well pleasing [is thy] face,8and thou art beloved by him that seeth thee. Thou settest the fear of thee in all lands, and because of their love for thee [men] hold thy name to be pre-eminent. Every man maketh offerings unto thee, and thou art the Lord who is commemorated in heaven and upon earth. Manifold are the cries of acclamation to thee in theUak festival, and the9Two Lands shout joyously to thee with one accord. Thou art the eldest, the first of thy brethren, the Prince of the Company of the Gods, and the establisher of Truth throughout the Two Lands. Thou settest [thy] son upon the great throne of his father Keb. Thou art the beloved one of thy mother Nut, whose valour is most mighty [when] thou overthrowest the Seba Fiend.10.Thou hast slaughtered thy enemy, and hast put the fear of thee into thy Adversary.Uak festival:thewag-festival (MdC transliteration:wAg,) a festival of the dead celebrated on the 18th day of the first month of Akhet.(Look alsoThe Egyptians and their dead,Public religious ceremonies.)

Thou art the bringer in of the remotest boundaries, and art stable of heart, and thy two feet are lifted up (?); thou art the heir of Keb and of the sovereignty of the Two Lands, and he (i.e., Keb) hath seen thy splendid qualities, and hath commanded thee to guide11the lands (i.e., the world) by thy hand so long as times [and seasons] endure.

Thou hast made this earth with thy hand, the waters thereof, the winds thereof, the trees and herbs thereof, the cattle thereof of every kind, the birds thereof of every kind, the fish thereof of every kind, the creeping things thereof, and the four-footed beasts thereof. The land of the desert belongeth by right to12the son of Nut, and the Two Lands have contentment in making him to rise upon the throne of his father like Ra.

Thou rollest up into the horizon, thou settest the light above the darkness, thou illuminest [the Two Lands] with the light from thy two plumes, thou floodest the Two Lands like the13Diskat the beginning of the dawn. ThyWhite Crownpierceth the height of heaven saluting the stars, thou art the guide of every god. Thou art perfect in command and word. Thou art the favoured one of the Great Company of the Gods, and thou art the beloved one of the Little Company of the Gods.Disk:the AtenWhite Crown:Crownof Upper Egypt

Thy sister [Isis] acted as a protectress to thee. She drove [thy] enemies away,14she averted seasons [of calamity from thee], she recited the word (or, formula) with themagical powerof her mouth, [being] skilled of tongue and never halting for a word, being perfect in command and word. Isis the magician avenged her brother. She went about seeking for him untiringly.magical power:seeHeka, the magic of Egypt

15.She flew round and round over this earth uttering wailing cries of grief, and she did not alight on the ground until she bad found him. She made light [to come forth] from her feathers, she made air to come into being by means of her two wings, and she cried out the death cries for her brother.16.She made to rise up the helpless members of him whose heart was at rest, she drew from him his essence, and she made therefrom anheir. She suckled the child in solitariness and none knew where his place was, and he grew in strength. His hand is mighty (or, victorious) within the house17of Keb, and the Company of the Gods rejoice greatly at the coming of Horus, the son of Osiris, whose heart is firmly stablished, the triumphant one, the son of Isis, the flesh and bone of Osiris. The Tchatcha of Truth, and the Company of the Gods, and Neb-er-tcher himself, and the Lords of Truth, gather together to him, and assemble therein.18.Verily those who defeat iniquity rejoice in the House of Keb to bestow the divine rank and dignity upon him to whom it belongeth, and the sovereignty upon him whose it is by right.Source: E. A. Wallis Budge, Legends of the Egyptian Gods[1]Tchatcha:the divine chiefs at the court of OsirisNeb-er-tcher:Lord of the Border, Osirisheir:Horus

The Legend of the Destruction of Mankind

[Here is the story of Ra,] the god who was self-begotten and self-created, after he had assumed the sovereignty over men and women, and gods, and things, the one god. Now men and women were speaking words of complaint, saying: - "Behold, his Majesty (Life, Strength, and Health to him!) hath grown old, and his bones have become like silver, and his members have turned into gold and his hair is like unto real lapis-lazuli." His Majesty heard the words of complaint which men and women were uttering, and his Majesty (Life, Strength, and Health to him!) said unto those who were in his train: - "Cry out, and bring to memy Eye, andShu, andTefnut, andGeb, andNut, and the father-gods, and the mother-gods who were with me, even when I was inNuside by side with my god Nu. Let there be brought along with my Eye his ministers, and let them be led to me hither secretly, so that men and women may not perceive them [coming] hither, and may not therefore take to flight with their hearts.my Eye:The Eye of Re - 1)The sun, the right eye of Horus but also of Re; 2)Hathor; 3)Isis, above all when identified with Hathor; 4)Satis, theLady of Elephantine, wife of Khnum, who came to be identified with Re; 5)Sekhet; 6)The sun-disk between Hathor's horns (according to Pyramid Text #705.Shu:God of the airTefnut:Goddess of moistureGeb:God of the earthNut:Goddess of the skyNu:Nun, the primordial waters

Come thou with them to theGreat House, and let them declare their plans (or, arrangements) fully, for I will go from Nu into the place wherein I brought about my own existence, and let those gods be brought unto me there." Now the gods were drawn up on each side of Ra, and they bowed down before his Majesty until their heads touched the ground, and the maker of men and women, the king of those who have knowledge, spake his words in the presence of the Father of the first-born gods. And the gods spake in the presence of his Majesty, saying: - "Speak unto us, for we are listening to them" (i.e., thy words). Then Ra spake untoNu, saying: - "O thou first-born god from whom I came into being, O ye gods of ancient time, my ancestors, take ye heed to what men and women [are doing]; for behold, those who were created by my Eye are uttering words of complaint against me. Tell me what ye would do in the matter, and consider this thing for me, and seek out [a plan] for me, for I will not slay them until I have heard what ye shall say to me concerning it." Then the Majesty of Nu, to son Ra, spake, saying: - "Thou art the god who art greater than he who made thee, thou art the sovereign of those who were created with thee, thy throne is set, and the fear of thee is great;let thine Eye go against thosewho have uttered blasphemies against thee."Great House:Residence of the ruler,pr-aA, whence Pharaoh from the New Kingdom onwardNun:The primal flood preceding creation, later the ocean in which the earth rests. As the oldest god, he is also called theOld OneorFather of the Gods.let thine Eye go against those:The Eye was at times quite independent and might leave Re for a while after an argument. Once when it returned from a mission, it found that another eye had grown in its place. Re placated it by setting it on his forehead as an uraeus:And when my Eye came to me, and found that I had made another [Eye] in place where it was (i.e., the Moon), it was wroth with (or, raged at) me, whereupon I endowed it (i.e., the (second Eye) with [some of] the splendour which I had made for the first [Eye], and I made it to occupy its place in my Face, and henceforth it ruled throughout all this earth.E. A. Wallis Budge,Legends of the Egyptian Gods:The History of Creation

And the Majesty of Ra, said: - " Behold, they have betaken themselves to flight into the mountain lands, for their hearts are afraid because of the words which they have uttered." Then the gods spake in the presence of his Majesty, saying: - "Letthine Eyego forth and let it destroy for thee those who revile thee with words of evil, for there is no eye whatsoever that can go before it and resist thee and it when it journeyeth in the form of Hathor." Thereupon this goddess went forth and slew the men and the women who were on the mountain (or, desert land). And the Majesty of this god said, "Come, come in peace, O Hathor, for the work is accomplished."thine Eye:Here the Eye of Re isHathor

Then this goddess said, "Thou hast made me to live, for when I gained the mastery over men and women it was sweet to my heart;" and the Majesty of Ra said, "I myself will be master over them as [their] king, and I will destroy them." And it came to pass thatSekhetof the offerings waded about in the night season in their blood, beginning atSuten-henen. Then the Majesty of Ra, spake [saying], "Cry out, and let there come to me swift and speedy messengers who shall be able to run like the wind ........ ;"and straightway messengers of this kind were brought unto him. And the Majesty of this god spake [saying], "Let these (messengers) go toAbu, and bring unto memandrakesin great numbers;"and [when] these mandrakes were brought unto him the Majesty of this god gave them to Sekhet, the goddess who dwelleth inAnnuto crush.Sekhet:Eye of Re, lion-headed goddess symbolizing the destructive power of the sun.Suten-henen:HerakleopolisAbu:Elephantine at the southern border of the country.mandrakes:Plant belonging to the poisonous nightshade family. Its root resembles the human form, has somniferous qualities, and is often used in magic.Annu:Heliopolis

And behold, when the maidservants were bruising the grain for [making] beer, these mandrakes were placed in the vessels which were to hold the beer, and some of the blood of the men and women [who had been slain]. Now they made seven thousand vessels of beer. Now when the Majesty of Ra, the King of the South and North, had come with the gods to look at the vessels of beer, and behold, the daylight had appeared after the slaughter of men and women by the goddess in their season as she sailed up the river, the Majesty of Ra said, "It is good, it is good, nevertheless I must protect men and women against her." And Ra, said, "Let them take up the vases and carry them to the place where the men and women were slaughtered by her." Then the Majesty of the King of the South and North in the three-fold beauty of the night caused to be poured out these vases of beer which make [men] to lie down (or, sleep), and the meadows of theFour Heavenswere filled with beer (or, water) by reason of the Souls of the Majesty of this god. And it came to pass that when this goddess arrived at the dawn of day, she found these [Heavens] flooded [with beer], and she was pleased thereat; and she drank [of the beer and blood], and her heart rejoiced, and she became drunk, and she gave no further attention to men and women.Four Heavens:North, south, east and west

Then said the Majesty of Ra to this goddess, "Come in peace, come in peace, O Amit,"and thereupon beautiful women came into being in the city of Amit (or, Amem). And the Majesty of Ra spake [concerning] this goddess, [saying], "Let there be made for her vessels of the beer which produceth sleep at every holy time and season of the year, and they shall be in number according to the number of my hand-maidens;"and from that early time until now men have been wont to make on the occasions of the festival of Hathor vessels of the beer which make them to sleep in number according to the number of the handmaidens of Ra. And the Majesty of Ra spake unto this goddess, [saying], "I am smitten with the pain of the fire of sickness; whence cometh to me [this] pain?" And the Majesty of Ra said, "I live, but my heart hath become exceedingly weary with existence with them (i.e., with men); I have slain [some of] them, but there is a remnant of worthless ones, for the destruction which I wrought among them was not as great as my power." Then the gods who were in his following said unto him, "Be not overcome by thy inactivity, for thy might is in proportion to thy will." And the Majesty of this god said unto the Majesty of Nu, "My members are weak for (or, as at) the first time; I will not permit this to come upon me a second time." And the Majesty of the god Nu said, "O son Shu, be thou the Eye 'for thy father ............ and avenue (?) him, and 'thou goddess Nut, place him ........." And the goddess Nut said, "How can this be then, O my father Nu?" "Hail," said Nut .......... to the god Nu, and the goddess straightway became [a cow], and she set the Majesty of Ra. upon [her] back ......... And when these things had been done, men and women saw the god Ra, upon the back [of the cow]. Then these men and women said, "Remain with us, and we will overthrow thine enemies who speak words of blasphemy [against thee], and [destroy them]." Then his Majesty [Re] set out for the Great House, and [the gods who were in the train of Ra remained] with them (i.e., the men); during that time the earth was in darkness. And when the earth became light [again]; and the morning had dawned, the men came forth with their bows and their [weapons], and they set their arms in motion to shoot the enemies [of Ra]. Then said the Majesty of this god, "Your transgressions of violence are placed behind you, for the slaughtering of the enemies is above the slaughter [of sacrifice];"thus came into being the slaughter [of sacrifice]. And the Majesty of this god said unto Nut, "I have placed myself upon my back in order to stretch myself out." What then is the meaning of this? It meaneth that he united (?) himself with Nut. [Thus came into being] ......... Then said the Majesty of this god, "I am departing from them (i.e., from men), and he must come after (me) who would see me;" thus came into being ......... Then the Majesty of this god looked forth from its interior, saying, "Gather together [men for me], and make ready for me an abode for multitudes;" thus came into being ............

And his Majesty (life, health, and strength be to him!) said, "Let a great field (sekhet) be produced (hetep);"thereuponSekhet-hetepcame into being. [And the god said], "I will gather herbs (aarat) therein;"thereuponSekhet-aarucame into being. [And the god said], "I will make it to contain as dwellers things (khet) like stars of all sorts;"thereupon the stars (akhekha) came into being. Then the goddess Nut trembled because of the height. And the Majesty of Ra said, "I decree that supports be to bear [the goddess up];"thereupon the props of heaven (heh) came into being. And the Majesty of Ra said, "O my son Shu, I pray thee to set thyself under [my] daughter Nut, and guard thou for me the supports (heh) of the millions (heh) which are there, and which live in darkness. Take thou the goddess upon thy head, and act thou as nurse for her;"thereupon came into being [the custom] of a son nursing a daughter, and [the custom] of a father carrying a son upon his head.This chapter shall be said over [a figure of] the cow. The supporters [called] Heh-enti shall be by her shoulder. The supporters [called] Heh-enti shall be at her side, and one cubit and four spans of hers shall be in colours, and nine stars shall be on her belly, and Set shall be by her two thighs and shall keep watch before her two legs, and before her two legs shall be Shu, under her belly, and he shall be made (i.e., painted) in green qenat colour. His two arms shall be under the stars, and his name shall be made (i.e., written) in the middle of them, namely, Shu himself.Sekhet-hetepandSekhet-aaru:Paradise. Just like the country itself or the Realm of the Dead (Amenti and Duat), paradise was dual.According to other interpretations Sekhet-aaru (Field of Plants) was divided into a number of regions, such as Sekhet-hetep (Field of Peace), Sekhet-Sanehemu (Field of Grasshoppers), etc.

Nut propped up by Shu, the setting sun by her mouth about to be swallowed, Kheperu, symbol of the rising, reborn sun, by her kneesSource: Lurker,Lexikon der Gtter und Symbole der alten gypter

A boat with a rudder and a double shrine shall be therein, andAtenshall be above it, and Ra shall be in it, in front of Shu, near his hand, or, as another reading hath, behind him, near his hand. And the udders of the Cow shall be made to be between her legs, towards the left side. And on the two flanks, towards the middle of the legs, shall be done in writing [the words], "The exterior heaven," and "I am what is in me," and "I will not permit them to make her to turn."That which is [written] under the boat which is in front shall read, "Thou shalt not be motionless, my son;" and the words which are written in an opposite direction shall read, "Thy support is like life," and "The word is as the word there," and "Thy son is with me," and "Life, strength, and health be to thy nostrils!"Aten:The sun disk.

And that which is behind Shu, near his shoulder, shall read, "They keep ward," and that which is behind him, written close to his feet in an opposite direction, shall read, "Maat," and "They come in," and "I protect daily." And that which is under the shoulder of the divine figure which is under the left leg, and is behind it shall read, "He who sealeth all things." That which is over his head, under the thighs of the Cow, and that which is by her legs shall read, "Guardian of his exit." That which is behind the two figures which are by her two legs, that is to say, over their heads, shall read, "The Aged One who is adored as he goeth forth," and The Aged One to whom praise is given when he goeth in." That which is over the head of the two figures, and is between the two thighs of the Cow, shall read, " Listener," "Hearer," "Sceptre of the Upper Heaven," and "Star" (?).

Then the majesty of this god spake unto Thoth, [saying]: "Let a call go forth for me to the Majesty of the godSeb, saying, 'Come, with the utmost speed, at once'." And when the Majesty of Seb had come, the Majesty of this god said unto him, "Let war be made against thyworms (or, serpents)which are in thee; verily, they shall have fear of me as long as I have being; but thou knowest their magical powers. Do thou go to the place where my father Nu is, and say thou unto him, 'Keep ward over the worms (or, serpents) which are in the earth and water.'ThothSeb:Gebworms, serpents:Serpents were thought to be both dangerous and protective. Re, on his daily round-trip had to ward them off. Apep, his main enemy, could only be defeated by Seth.

And moreover, thou shalt make a writing for each of the nests of thy serpents which are there, saying, 'Keep ye guard [lest ye] cause injury to anything.' They shall know that I am removing myself [from them], but indeed I shall shine upon them. Since, however, they indeed wish for a father, thou shalt be a father unto them in this land for ever. Moreover, let good heed be taken to the men who have mywords of power, and to those whose mouths have knowledge of such things; verily my own words of power are there, verily it shall not happen that any shall participate with me in my protection, by reason of the majesty which hath come into being before me.words of power:magic spells

I will decree them to thy son Osiris, and their children shall be watched over, the hearts of their princes shall be obedient (or, ready) by reason of the magical powers of those who act according to their desire in all the earth through their words of power which are in their bodies." And the majesty of this god said, "Call to me the god Thoth,"and one brought the god to him forthwith. And the Majesty of this god said unto Thoth, "Let us depart to a distance from heaven, from my place, because I would make light and the god of light (Khu) in the Tuat and [in] the Land of Caves. Thou shalt write down [the things which are] in it, and thou shalt punish those who are in it, that is to say, the workers who have worked iniquity (or, rebellion). Through thee I will keep away from the servants whom this heart [of mine] loatheth.Thou shalt be in my place (ast) Asti, and thou shalt therefore be called, O Thoth, the 'Asti of Ra.' Moreover, I give thee powerto send (hab) forth ..........; thereupon shall come into being the Ibis (habi) birdof Thoth. I moreover give thee [power] to lift up thine hand before the two Companies of the gods who are greater than thou, and what thou doest shall be fairer than [the work of] the god Khen; therefore shall the divine bird Tekni of Thoth come into being.to send (hab) forth...... being the Ibis (habi):The Egyptians were very fond of these somewhat strange etymologies.

Moreover, I give thee [Power] to embrace (anh) the two heavens with thy beauties, and with thy rays of light; therefore shall come into being the Moon-god (Aah) of Thoth. Moreover, I give thee [power] to drive back (anan) the Ha-nebu; therefore shall come into being thedog-headed Ape(anan) of Thoth, and he shall act as governor for me. Moreover, thou art now in my place in the sight of all those who see thee and who present offerings to thee, and every being shall ascribe praise unto thee, O thou who art God."Whosoever shall recite the words of this composition over himself shall anoint himself with olive oil and with thick unguent, and he shall have propitiatory offerings on both his hands of incense, and behind his two ears shall be pure natron, and sweet-smelling salve shall be on his lips.dog-headed ape:baboon

He shall be arrayed in a new double tunic, and his body shall be purified with the water of the nile-flood, and he shall have upon his feet a pair of sandals made of white [leather], and a figure of the goddess Maat shall be drawn upon his tongue with green-coloured ochre. Whensoever Thoth shall wish to recite this composition on behalf of Ra, he must perform a sevenfold (?) purification for three days, and priests and [ordinary] men shall do likewise. Whosoever shall recite the above words shall perform the ceremonies which are to be performed when this book is being read. And he shall make his place of standing (?) in a circle (or, at an angle) ......... which is beyond [him], and his two eyes shall be fixed upon himself, all his members shall be [composed], and his steps shall not carry him away [from the place]. Whosoever among men shall recite [these] words shall be like Ra on the day of his birth; and his possessions shall not become fewer, and his house shall never fall into decay, but shall endure for a million eternities. These passages describe what was expected of a magician if his magic was to be successful: ritual purification of the body, dressing in appropriate (and often highly specific) clothing, repetitiveness (three, seven and nine times are very common), recitation of spells, invocation of helping spirits and gods etc.

Then the Aged One himself (i.e., Ra) embraced (?) the god Nu, and spake unto the gods who came forth in the east of the sky, "Ascribe ye praise to the god, the Aged One, from whom I have come into being. I am he who made the heavens, and I (set in order [the earth, and created the gods, and] I was with them for an exceedingly long period; 'then was born the year and .......... but my soul is older than it (i.e., time). It is the Soul of Shu, it is the Soul of Khnemu (?), it is the Soul of Heh, it is the Soul of Kek and Kerh (i.e., Night and Darkness), it is the Soul of Nu and of Ra, it is the Soul of Osiris, the lord ofTettu, it is the Soul of the Sebak Crocodile-gods and of the Crocodiles, it is the Soul of every god [who dwelleth] in the divine Snakes, it is the Soul of Apep in Mount Bakhau (i.e., the Mount of Sunrise), and it is the Soul of Ra which pervadeth the whole world."Tettu:Capital of the 9th nome of Lower Egypt, also called Tetau, Per-Asar-neb-Tettu, Busiris, city in the Delta, the entrance to paradise was thought to have been near it.

Whosoever sayeth [these words] worketh his own protection by means of the words of power, "I am the god Hekau (i.e., the divine Word of power), and [I am] pure in my mouth, and [in] my belly; [I am] Ra from whom the gods proceeded. I am Ra, the Light-god (Khu)." When thou sayest [this], stop forth in the evening and in the morning on thine own behalf if thou wouldst make to fall the enemies of Ra. I am his Soul, and I amHeka.Heka:Magic

Hail, thou lord of eternity, thou creator of everlastingness, who bringest to nought the gods who came forth from Ra, thou lord of thy god, thou prince who didst make what made thee, who art beloved by the fathers of the gods, on whose head are the pure words of power, who didst create the woman (erpit) that standeth on the south side of thee, who didst create the goddess who hath her face on her breast, and the serpent which standeth on his tail, with her eye on his belly, and with his tail on the earth, to whom Thoth giveth praises, and upon whom the heavens rest, and to whom Shu stretcheth out his two hands, deliver thou me from those two great gods who sit in the east of the sky, who act as wardens of heaven and as wardens of earth, and who make firm the secret places, and who are called "Aaiu-su," and "Per-f-er-maa-Nu." Moreover [there shall be) a purifying on the ........... day of the month .............. even according to the performance of the ceremonies in the oldest time. Whosoever shall recite this Chapter shall have life in Neter-kher (i.e., Underworld), and the fear of him shall be much greater than it was formerly [upon earth] . . . . . . . and they shall say, "Thy names are 'Eternity' and 'Everlastingness.'" They are called, they are called, "Au-peh-nef-n-aa-em-ta-uatipu," and "Rekh-kuh-[tut]-en-neter-pui ......... en-en-hra-f-Her-shefu."

I am he who hath strengthened the boat with the company of the gods, and hisShenit, and his Gods, by means of words of power.Source: E. A. Wallis Budge,Legends of the Egyptian GodsSheni:Title, according to Budge the Shenit were special royal ministers.

Two translations of theHymn to the Nileca. 2100 BCE

Hail to thee, O Nile! Who manifests thyself over this land, and comes to give life to Egypt! Mysterious is thy issuing forth from the darkness, on this day whereon it is celebrated! Watering the orchards created by Re, to cause all the cattle to live, you give the earth to drink, inexhaustible one! Path that descends from the sky, loving the bread of Seb and the first-fruits of Nepera, You cause the workshops of Ptah to prosper! 1 Hail to thee O Nile!2 Thou showest thyself in this land,3 Coming in peace, giving life to Egypt:4 O Ammon, (thou) leadest night into day,5 A leading that rejoices the heart!6 Overflowing the gardens created by Ra.7 Giving life to all animals;8 Watering the land without ceasing:9 The way of heaven descending:10 Lover of food, bestower of corn,[1]11 Giving light to every home, O Ptah!

Lord of the fish, during the inundation, no bird alights on the crops. You create the grain, you bring forth the barley, assuring perpetuity to the temples. If you cease your toil and your work, then all that exists is in anguish. If the gods suffer in heaven, then the faces of men waste away.1 Lord of fishes, when the inundation returns2 No fowls fall on the cultures.3 Maker of spelt; creator of wheat:4 Who maintaineth the temples!5 Idle hands he loathes6 For myriads, for all the wretched.7 If the gods in heaven are grieved,8 Then sorrow cometh on men.

Then He torments the flocks of Egypt, and great and small are in agony. But all is changed for mankind when He comes; He is endowed with the qualities of Nun. If He shines, the earth is joyous, every stomach is full of rejoicing, every spine is happy, every jaw-bone crushes (its food).1 He maketh the whole land open to the oxen,2 And the great and the small are rejoicing;3 The response of men at his coming!4 His likeness is Nun!5 He shineth, then the land exulteth!6 All bellies are in joy!7 Every creature receives nourishment!8 All teeth get food.

He brings the offerings, as chief of provisioning; He is the creator of all good things, as master of energy, full of sweetness in his choice. If offerings are made it is thanks to Him. He brings forth the herbage for the flocks, and sees that each god receives his sacrifices. All that depends on Him is a precious incense. He spreads himself over Egypt, filling the granaries, renewing the marts, watching over the goods of the unhappy.1 Bringer of food! Great lord of provisions!2 Creator of all good things!3 Lord of terrors and of choicest joys!4 All are combined in him.5 He produceth grass for the oxen;6 Providing victims for every god.7 The choice incense is that which he supplies.8 Lord in both regions,9 He filleth the granaries, enricheth the storehouses,10 He careth for the state of the poor.

He is prosperous to the height of all desires, without fatiguing Himself therefor. He brings again his lordly bark; He is not sculptured in stone, in the statutes crowned with the uraeus serpent, He cannot be contemplated. No servitors has He, no bearers of offerings! He is not enticed by incantations! None knows the place where He dwells, none discovers his retreat by the power of a written spell.1 He causeth growth to fulfil all desires,2 He never wearies of it.3 He maketh his might a barker,4 He is not graven in marble,5 As an image bearing the double crown.6 He is not beheld:7 He hath neither ministrants nor offerings:8 He is not adored in sanctuaries:9 His abode is not known:10 No shrine is found with painted figures.

No dwelling (is there) which may contain you! None penetrates within your heart! Your young men, your children applaud you and render unto you royal homage. Stable are your decrees for Egypt before your servants of the North! He stanches the water from all eyes and watches over the increase of his good things.1 There is no building that can contain him!2 There is no counsellor in thy heart!3 Thy youth delight in thee, thy children:4 Thou directest them as King.5 Thy law is established in the whole land,6 In the presence of thy servants in the North:7 Every eye is satisfied with him:8 He careth for the abundance of his blessings.

Where misery existed, joy manifests itself; all beasts rejoice. The children of Sobek, the sons of Neith, the cycle of the gods which dwells in him, are prosperous. No more reservoirs for watering the fields! He makes mankind valiant, enriching some, bestowing his love on others. None commands at the same time as himself. He creates the offerings without the aid of Neith, making mankind for himself with multiform care.1 The inundation comes, (then) cometh rejoicing;2 Every heart exulteth:3 The tooth of the crocodiles, the children of Neith4 (Even) the circle of gods who are counted with thee.5 Doth not its outburst water the fields,6 Overcoming mortals (with joy):7 Watering one to produce another.8 There is none who worketh with him;9 He produces food without the aid of Neith.10 Mortals he causes to rejoice.

He shines when He issues forth from the darkness, to cause his flocks to prosper. It is his force that gives existence to all things; nothing remains hidden for him. Let men clothe themselves to fill his gardens. He watches over his works, producing the inundation during the night. The associate of Ptah . . . He causes all his servants to exist, all writings and divine words, and that which He needs in the North.1 He giveth light on his coming from darkness:2 In the pastures of his cattle3 His might produceth all:4 What was not, his moisture bringeth to life.5 Men are clothed to fill his gardens:6 He careth for his laborers.7 He maketh even and noontide,8 He is the infinite Ptah and Kabes.9 He createth all works therein,10 All writings, all sacred words,11 All his implements in the North.

It is with the words that He penetrates into his dwelling; He issues forth at his pleasure through the magic spells. Your unkindness brings destruction to the fish; it is then that prayer is made for the (annual) water of the season; Southern Egypt is seen in the same state as the North. Each one is with his instruments of labor. None remains behind his companions. None clothes himself with garments, The children of the noble put aside their ornaments. His night remains silent, but all is changed by the inundation; it is a healing-balm for all mankind.1 He enters with words the interior of his house,2 When he willeth he goeth forth from his mystic fane.3 Thy wrath is destruction of fishes.4 Then men implore thee for the waters of the season.5 That the Thebaid may be seen like the Delta.6 That every man be seen bearing his tools,7 No man left behind his comrade!8 Let the clothed be unclothed,9 No adornment for the sons of nobles,10 No circle of gods in the night!11 The response (of the god) is refreshing water,12 Filling all men with fatness.

Establisher of justice! Mankind desires you, supplicating you to answer their prayers; You answer them by the inundation! Men offer the first-fruits of corn;[1]all the gods adore you! The birds descend not on the soil. It is believed that with your hand of gold you make bricks of silver! But we are not nourished on lapis-lazuli; wheat alone gives vigor.1 Establisher of justice! Men rejoice2 With flattering words to worship thee,3 Worshipped together with the mighty water!4 Men present offerings of corn,5 Adoring all the gods:6 No fowls fall on the land.7 Thy hand is adorned with gold,8 As moulded of an ingot of gold,9 Precious as pure lapis lazuli,10 Corn in its state of germination is not eaten.

A festal song is raised for you on the harp, with the accompaniment of the hand. Your young men and your children acclaim you and prepare their (long) exercises. You are the august ornament of the earth, letting your bark advance before men, lifting up the heart of women in labor, and loving the multitude of the flocks.1 The hymn is addressed to thee with the harp;2 It is played with a (skilful) hand to thee!3 The youths rejoice at thee!4 Thy own children.5 Thou hast rewarded their labor.6 There s a great one adorning the land;7 An enlightener, a buckler in front of men,8 Quickening the heart in depression.9 Loving the increase of all his cattle.

When you shine in the royal city, the rich man is sated with good things, the poor man even disdains the lotus; all that is produced is of the choicest; all the plants exist for your children. If you have refused (to grant) nourishment, the dwelling is silent, devoid of all that is good, the country falls exhausted.1 Thou shinest in the city of the King;2 Then the householders are satisfied with good things,3 The poor man laughs at the lotus.4 All things are perfectly ordered.5 Every kind of herb for thy children.6 If food should fail,7 All enjoyment is cast on the ground,8 The land falls in weariness.

O inundation of the Nile, offerings are made unto you, men are immolated to you, great festivals are instituted for you. Birds are sacrificed to you, gazelles are taken for you in the mountain, pure flames are prepared for you. Sacrifice is mettle to every god as it is made to the Nile. The Nile has made its retreats in Southern Egypt, its name is not known beyond the Tuau. The god manifests not his forms, He baffles all conception.1 O Inundation of Nile, offerings are made to thee:2 Oxen are slain to thee:3 Great festivals are kept for thee;4 Fowls are sacrificed to thee;5 Beasts of the field are caught for thee6 Pure flames are offered to thee;7 Offerings are made to every god,8 As they are made unto Nile.9 Incense ascends unto heaven,10 Oxen, bulls, fowls are burnt!11 Nile makes for himself chasms in the Thebaid;12 Unknown is his name in heaven,13 He doth not manifest his form!14 Vain are all representations!

Men exalt him like the cycle of the gods, they dread him who creates the heat, even him who has made his son the universal master in order to give prosperity to Egypt. Come (and) prosper! Come (and) prosper! O Nile, come (and) prosper! O you who make men to live through his flocks and his flocks through his orchards! Come (and) prosper, come, O Nile, come (and) prosper!1 Mortals extol (him), and the cycle of gods!2 Awe is felt by the terrible ones;3 His son is made Lord of all,4 To enlighten all Egypt.5 Shine forth, shine forth, O Nile! Shine forth!6 Giving life to men by his oxen:7 Giving life to his oxen by the pastures!8 Shine forth in glory, O Nile.

From: Oliver J. Thatcher, ed., The Library of Original Sources (Milwaukee: University Research Extension Co., 1907), Vol. I: The Ancient World, pp. 79-83.Translated by Rev. F. C. Cook (1901)

[1]Corn in the context of ancient Egypt generally refers to wheat or barley.

Hymn to Senusret III

I1Horus: Divine of Form; the Two Ladies: Divine of Birth; Gold-Horus; Being; the King of Upper and Lower Egypt:Khakaure, the Son of Re: Sesostris-he has seized the Two Lands in triumphM. Lichtheim,Ancient Egyptian Literature, Vol.1, p.198Homage to thee, Khakaure: our Horus, divine of beings!Protecting the land and widening its boundaries: Restraining the foreign nations by his kingly crown.Enclosing the two lands within the compass of his hands: [seizing (?)] the nation in his grip.Slaying the Pedti without a stroke of the club: shooting an arrow5without drawing the bow-string.Dread of him hath smitten theAnu(?) in their plain: his terror hath slain thenine races of men.His(written) dispatch(?) hath caused the death of thousands ofPedti[////// who had (?)] reached his frontier: shooting the arrow as dothSekhet, he overthroweth thousands of those who know not his mighty spirit.The tongue of his majesty bindethKhentin fetters: his utterances put to flight theSetiu.Sole One of youthful vigour [guarding (?)] his frontier: suffering not his subjects to faint, but causing thePat10to repose unto the daylight.As to his trained youth in their slumbers: his heart (intellect) is their protection.His decrees have formed his boundaries: his word hatharmoured the two regions.F. Ll. Griffith, ed.,Hieratic Papyri from Kahun and Gurob, p.2This hymn was written on a papyrus which was found at Kahun. Each stanza is composed of ten lines. It is a perfect example of ancient Egyptian poetry. The last two stanzas are mostly destroyed.Khakaura:SenusretIII(c. 1878-1841)[seizing (?)] the nation in his grip:Lichtheim:[Who subdues foreign] lands by a motion of his handsAnu:Lichtheim:Bowmennine races of men:Nine Bows(written) dispatch:Lichtheim:slaughterPedti:BowmanSekhet:Lion headed goddess, Eye of ReKhent:NubiaSetiu:Asiatics. cf.The Tale of Sinuhe:He was made to smite the Setiu, and to crush the Sandfarers.Pat:the people. According to Lichtheim with connotations of nobility.armoured the two regions:Lichtheim:joined the Two Shores

II1Twice joyfulare the gods, thou hast established their offerings.Twice joyful are thyprinces, thou hast formed their boundaries.Twice joyful are thy ancestors before thee, thou hast increased their portions.Twice joyful is Egypt at thy strong arm, thou hast guarded the ancient order.5Twice joyful are the aged with thyadministration, thou hast widened their positions.Twice joyful are the two regions with thy valour, thou hast caused them toflourish.Twice joyful are thy young men of support, thou hast caused them to flourish.Twice joyful are thy veterans thou hast caused them to be vigorousTwice joyful are the two lands in thy might, thou hast guarded their walls.10Twice joyful be thou, O Horus! widening thy boundary, mayest thou renew an eternity of life.Twice joyful:Lichtheim:How (they) rejoicethroughout the stanza.princes:Lichtheim:[people]administration:Lichtheim:guidanceflourish:Lichtheim:enlarged their holdings

III1Twice great are the owners of his city for he is a multitude and an host.Twice great are the owners of his city, for he is aflood-gatepouring forth streams of its water-floods.Twice great are the owners of his city for he is abower, letting every man lie down in the mid-day heatTwice great are the owners of his city for he isa screen like walls built of the sharp stones of Kesem.5Twice great are the owners of his city for he is a refuge,shutting out the robber.Twice great are the owners of his city for he is an asylum, shielding the timid from his enemy.Twice great are the owners of his city for he is a shadein the high Nileto provide coolness in the summer.Twice great are the owners of his city for he is a warm corner of shelter in the winter.Twice great are the owners of his city for he is a rock shielding from the blast in the stormy day.10Twice great are the owners of his city for he is the goddess Sekhet to the foes who tread on his boundary.Twice great are the owners of his city for he is a multitude and an host:Lichtheim:How great is the lord of his city, he is Re, little are a thousand other menflood-gate:Lichtheim:canalbower:Lichtheim:cool rooma screen like walls built of the sharp stones of Kesem:Lichtheim:walled rampart of copper of Sinaishutting out the robber:Lichtheim:whose hold does not failin the high Nile:Lichtheim:overflowing

IV1He has come to us,he has taken the land of the well, the double crown is placed on his head.He has come, he has united the two lands. he has joined the kingdom ofthe upper land with the lower.He has come, he has ruledEgypt, he has placedthe desertin his power.He has come, he has protected the two lands, he has given peacein the two regions.5He has come, he has made Egypt to live, he has destroyed its afflictions.He has come, hehas made the aged to live, he has opened the breath of the people.He has come, he has trampled on the nations, he has smitten the Anu, who knew not his terror.He has come, he has protected (?) his frontier, he has rescued the robbed.He has come........... of what his mighty arm brings to us.10He has come, we bring up our children, we bury our aged by his good favour.W.M.Flinders PetrieA History of EgyptPart One, pp 190fhe has taken the land of the well:Lichtheim:to take the Southlandthe upper land with the lower:Lichtheim:the Sedge to the BeeEgyptandthe desert:Lichtheim prefers to translatekmtasBlack Landin contrast to theRed Land, the desert.in the two regions:Lichtheim:to the Two Shoreshas made the aged to live:Lichtheim:nourished the people........... :Lichtheim:[showed the power (?)]