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

ton. xx. HIS DEVOTION TO AMEN-RA 351

Mentu was invoked as a witness :

As witness is invoked the name of Amen-Ra, the king of the
gods, that of the god Horemkhu, of Ptah of Memphis, of Tehuti,
the lord of the holy speech, of the gods of heaven, of the gods of the
earth :

As witness is invoked the name of Ra-messu IX., the great
king of Egypt, the son and friend of all the gods, for levying all
services. Let the taxing and the usufruct of the labours of the
inhabitants for the temple of Amen-Ra, the king of the gods, be
placed under thy administration. Let the full revenues be given
over to thee, according to their number. Thou shalt collect the
duties. Thou shalt undertake the interior administration (literally,
side) of the treasuries, of the store-houses, and of the granaries
°f the temple of Amen-Ra, the king of the gods ; so that the
income of the heads and hands for the maintenance of Amen-Ra,
the king of the gods, may be applied to the service. [Thus does]
Pharaoh, thy lord, [reward] the deeds of a good and distinguished
servant of Pharaoh, his lord. He shall be strengthened to do the
best for Amen-Ra, the king of the gods, the great and glorious god,
and to do the best for Pharaoh, his lord, who has seen and admired
what thou hast done. This is for explanation of the commission to
these (present) treasurers and the two councillors of Pharaoh con-
cerning the gold, silver, [and all other gifts, which are given to thee
as a reward].

The accompanying representation shows that the
words of the king were exactly fulfilled, for the two
councillors of Pharaoh who are named adorn the priest
with necklaces and jewels.

What the high priest did for the temple of his god
is related in his own words :—

Thus has the teacher of the king, the chief priest of Amen-Ra,
the king of the gods, Amenhotep, done, namely :

I found this holy house of the chief priests of Amen of old time,
which is in the temple of Amen-Ra, the king of the gods, hastening
to decay. What was done to it dates since the time of King
Usertsen I. I took the building in hand, and restored it anew in
good work, and in a work pleasant to look at. I strengthened its
walls behind, around, and in front. I built it anew. I made its
columns, which were bound together with great stones in skilful
work. I inserted in the gates great folding doors of acacia wood,
for closing them up. I built out on its great stone wall, which is
seen at the .... I built my high new house for the chief priest