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

DW. XXVI.

THE APIS UNDER CAMBYSES

427

A memorial tablet of the time of Ptolemy IT. is>

inscribed with the following data :-



Working Time

Holidays



Months

Days

Prom the year 32, 21st Payni, to the
year 33, 1st Paophi, excavating the

Prom the year 33, 4th Paophi, to [the
year 33, 9th Pharmuthi], finishing the

In the year 37, 8th Mesori, transport of

In the year 38, 17th Athyr, the completion
of the whole edifice; time

3

6
1

2

15

5
5
9

17

33

7
12

In the reign of Cambyses there occurred the death
°f one Apis, and the birth of another. This latter was
born in the 5th year of the king, on the 28th day
°f the month Tybi; he died in the 4th year of
Darius I., on the third day of the month Pakhons ;
and seventy days later he was buried according to
the prescribed usages. The whole length of his life
amounted to seven years, three months, five days.
Sis predecessor was the very Apis whom, according
to the accounts of the Greek writers, Cambyses is said
to have slain with the sword, immediately after his
return from his disastrous expedition against Ethiopia ;
a story on which little reliance can be placed.
According to an inscription, this Apis was buried in
the Serapeum ' in the 4th year' of the king's reign,
m the month of Epiphi' (the day not being specified).
Cn the same stone we see Cambyses represented, under
nis regal name of Sam-taui Mastu-Ea, in a kneeling
Posture, distinctly as a worshipper of the Apis-bull.
Underneath is a long inscription, of which only the
following words are legible :—

Year 4, month Epiphi, under the reign [of King Cambyses]
the bestower of life for ever, [this] god was carried to his burial