Brugsch, Heinrich: Egypt under the pharaohs: a history derived entirely from the monuments (London, 1891)

60 INSCRIPTION OF AMENI ch. it.

relates to its restoration in the reign of Kamses IX., by
Amen-hotep, the first seer of Amen, who restored the
great court and the dwelling of the first seers, defraying
the cost himself.

As I found the holy dwelling of the first seers of Amen, who
of old sat in the house of Amen, the king of the gods, hastening
to decay—for what there was of it dated from the time of King
Usertsen the First — I caused it to be built anew, in beautiful
forms and tasteful work. I restored the thickness of the surround-
ing wall from behind to the front part. I caused the buildings to
be raised, and their columns to be set up of hard stone in tasteful
work.

One of the celebrated rock-tombs has preserved
some historical memorials of Usertsen I. It is the
same tomb which always attracts the attention of the
visitor by the new form of the pillar, by the design of
the front, and by the peculiar richness of its pictures.
Chiselled in the rocks was the sacrificial hall, dedicated
to the service of the dead, who belonged to a noble
family holding hereditary possession of the neighbouring
district.

Here Ameni, the head of the family, relates the
incidents of his life as foUows :—

In the year 43, under the rule of King Usertsen I.—may he
live long, even to all eternity !—which (year) corresponds with the
year 25 in the nome of Mali, where the hereditary lord Amen
was governor. In the year 43, on the 14th day of the month
Paophi.

Address to those who enjoy life, and to whom death is hateful.
Let them recite the prayer of the offerings of the dead.

In favour of the hereditary governor-in-chief of the nome of
Mah (some other titles follow), the chief over the holy seers, Amen,
who has conquered (i.e. death).

I accompanied my lord when he made an expedition to smite
his enemies in the country of the Atu. I went up with him as the
son of the most noble lord, who was captain of the warriors and
governor of the nome of Mah, as substitute (?) for my father, who
was old, and who had received his reward from the king's palace,
for he was beloved at court. I entered the country of Cush (the