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

bxn. xxi. THE TOMB OF KAEOMATH 369

the priest-king Men-kheper-Ea, did not spring from any
special goodness of heart, but was a politic measure, to
quiet the agitation fermenting in the country, can hardly
require further proof.

While the events were taking place, which the in-
scription sets forth in such an ambiguous manner, it
appears that Na-ro-math (Mmrod), who had been asso-
ciated on the throne by his father Shashanq, had
advanced into Egypt with an army, not only to render
help and support to the Eamessides, but also with the
intention of conquering the country. Here in Egypt
death surprised him. His mother, Mehet-en-usekh, was
an Egyptian, in all probability a daughter of the 14th
Ka-messu. According to her desire, her son was buried
m Abydos, and the feasts of the dead were instituted in
his honour, the cost of which was to be defrayed from
the income of certain estates. At the same time men
and women were appointed for the preservation of his
tomb, herds of cattle were purchased, and all other
things provided, which could serve for a worthy esta-
blishment in honour of the dead.

When Egypt had thus become subjected to Shashanq
I-j Pasebkhanu, the brother of Men-kheper-Ea, was
left as sub-king at Tanis, while the conqueror fixed his
capital at Bubastis. Meanwhile Men-kheper-Ea carried
on his functions as chief priest of Amen in Thebes,
"where, as we have reason to suppose, Ea-messu XVI.
Was for some time, in name at least, recognised as king.

These measures were evidently taken during the
presence of the elder Shashanq (grandfather of the
above-mentioned prince who afterwards became Sha-
shanq I.) in Egypt. He visited Thebes, and did not fail,
on his journey to the city of Amen, to pay a visit to
the grave of his beloved son at Abydos. He was
bitterly chagrined at its neglected state. The Egyptian

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