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

dot. xix. RELATIONS WITH THE SHASU 317

Greek designation of the town Dardanis. The officials
and priests at the court of Meneptah were not backward
in extolling their Pharaoh. The fragments of the
writings of some of these officers display a poetical
enthusiasm in lauding the king, whom they commonly
introduce under his throne-name of Ba-n-Ka, ' soul of
Pa.' The relations which Meneptah maintained with
the Kheta towards the East were, in consequence of the
old treaty, of the most friendly nature. His contribu-
tion of corn to them gives a full confirmation of this
idea. The fortresses and wells which Tehuti-mes 111.
and Eamses II. had established in Canaan, and provided
with Egyptian garrisons, still existed. With them, as
with the inhabitants of Gaza, a constant intercourse-
was regularly maintained, and messengers went to and
fro as bearers of the king's orders from the court to the
East. These officials belonged mostly to the Canaanite
peoples, as their names prove.

The nomad tribes of the Edomite Shasu—who
under Seti I. still regarded the eastern region of the
Delta as far as Zoan as their own possession—until they
were driven out by that Pharaoh—bestirred themselves
anew under Meneptah II., but in a manner alike peace-
ful and loyal. As faithful subjects, they asked for a
passage through the border fortress of Khetam, in the
land of Thuku (Succoth), in order to find sustenance for
themselves and their herds in the rich pasture-lands of
the lake district about the city of Pa-Tmu (Pithorn).

On this subject an Egyptian official makes the
following report (Pap. Anastasi, vi.):—

Another matter for the satisfaction of my master's heart. We
have carried into effect the passage of the tribes of the Shasu from
the land of Aduma (Edom), through the fortress (Khetam) of
Meneptah-Hotephima, which is situated in Thuku (Succoth), to
the lakes of the city Pa-Tmu, of Meneptah-Hotephima, which are
situated in the land of Thuku, in order to feed themselves and to