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

dyn. xix. THE HEREDITARY LORD BEKEN-KHONSU 309

The elder sons, including Khanmas, died during the
long reign of their father : the fourteenth, named Mene-
ptah, was his successor. He had already taken part
m the affairs of the government during his father's life-
time, and in this capacity he appears on the monuments
by the side of Eamses II.

Of the daughters of the king the monuments name
Bint-antha (' daughter of Anaiitis),' Meri-Amen, and Neb-
taui. A much younger sister, named Meri, deserves to
be mentioned, since her name reminds us of the princess
Merris, the daughter of Maat-neferu-Ka, the Eheta
princess, who, according to Jewish tradition, found
Moses when she went to bathe.

The list of contemporaries of Eamses II. is consider-
able. Among them a distinguished place was held by
that Beken-Khonsu upon whose statue in Munich is the
following inscription:—

(1) The hereditary lord and first prophet of Amen, Beken-Khonsu,
speaks thus : I was truthful and virtuous towards my lord. I
undertook with pleasure that which my god taught me. I walked
in his ways. I performed acts of piety within his temple. I was a
great architect in the town of Amen, my heart being filled with
good works for my lord.

0 ye men, all of you altogether, of reflecting mind, (2) ye who
remain now upon the earth, and ye who will come after me for
thousands and later thousands of years, according to your age and
frailty, whose heart is possessed by the knowledge of virtue, I give
you to know what services I performed on earth, in that office
which was my lot from my birth.

1 was for four years a very little child. For twelve years (3) I
was a boy. I was the superintendent of the office for the susten-
ance of the king Meneptah Seti. I was a priest of Amen for
four years. I was a holy father of Amen for twelve years. I was
third prophet of Amen for sixteen years. I was second prophet of
Amen for twelve years. He (the king) rewarded me, and dis-
tinguished me because of my deserts. He named me as first pro-
phet of Amen for six years. I was (4) a good father for my temple-
servants, in that I afforded sustenance to their families, and
stretched out my hand to the fallen, and gave food to the poor, and