Chapter One
618 B.C.

The Tefnakht Rebellion

        In 1862, in the ruins of the Gebel Barkal temple near Napata, the ancient capital of the Cushite kingdom of like name, an Egyptian officer discovered an enormous black granite stela, nearly six feet in height and of equal width, 16 inches thick. (1) On the rounded upper portion of the stela we see the seated figure of the god Amun, the goddess Mut in attendance behind, and a king, back-facing, his features defaced by a spiteful successor.  His name, Meriamon Piankhi, remains in bold relief.  The Napatan king is addressed by a vassal king Nimlot, who bears as a gift a prancing horse.  Beneath Nimlot grovel three other kings.  Above the prostrate form of each the kings are named - Peftjauawybast, Iupet, Osorkon.  Behind Amun and Mut yet five other vassals submit to Piankhi.
 
 

Figure 1: Facsimile of the front of the Piankhi stele

        The narrative which follows in 159 lines of hieroglyphic text (inscribed on front, back and sides of the stela) tells the story of Piankhi's suppression of a rebellion in Lower Egypt.  The dateline cites his 21st year.  The storyline begins with a cry for help.  Three of the four named kings have been deposed, their cities overwhelmed by the advancing armies of Tefnakht,  an ambitious king of Saïs on the fringes of the western delta.  Only Peftjauawybast still holds his city, now under siege.  At the time of the insurrection Piankhi appears to exercise political control over central and southern Egypt, if not the whole of the country.  It is his sovereignty which is being challenged.

One came to say to his majesty: "A chief of the west, the great prince in Neter, Tefnakhte is in the nome of -, in the nome of Xois, in Hapi, in - , in Ayan, in Pernub, and in Memphis. He has seized the whole west from the back-lands to Ithtowe, coming southward with a numerous army, while the Two Lands are united behind him, and the princes and rulers of walled towns are as dogs at his heels. No stronghold has closed [its door in] the nomes of the South: Mer-Atum (Medûm), Per Sekhemkheperre, the temple of Sebek, Permezed, Theknesh; and every city of the west, they have opened the doors for fear of him. He turned to the east, they opened to him likewise. BAR IV 818
        The message reached Piankhi in Napata, 400 miles upriver from Thebes. The Nubian king seemed unperturbed by developments, in spite of persistent appeals from those in jeopardy.
Then [his majesty] heard [the message] with courageous heart, laughing, and joyous of heart. These princes and commanders of the army who were in their cities sent to his majesty daily, saying: "Wilt thou be silent, even to forgetting the Southland, the nomes of the [court]? While Tefnakhte advances his conquest and finds none to repel his arm." BAR IV 819
        Cities previously loyal to Piankhi were now in league with Tefnakht. Nimlot, king of Hermopolis, nomarch of the Hare nome, was the last to defect.
Behold, he [Nimlot] goes to follow at his (Tefnakhte's) heels, having cast off allegiance to his majesty (Piankhi). He tarries with him (Tefnakhte) like one of [his vassals in ] the nome of Oxyrhyncus, and gives to him (Tefnakhte) gifts, as much as he desires, of everything that he has found. BAR IV 820
        Biding his time, Piankhi waited for Tefnakht to overreach.   At long last he acted, sending a Theban force (2) to stem further losses at the Hare nome.
Then his majesty sent to the princes and commanders of the army who were in Egypt: the commander Purem; and the commander  Lemersekeny; and every commander of his majesty who was in Egypt (saying): "Hasten into battle line, engage in battle, surround -, capture its people, its cattle, its ships upon the river. Let not the peasants go forth to the field, let not the plowmen plow, beset the frontier of the Hare nome, fight against it daily." Then they did so. BAR IV 821
        Piankhi also dispatched an army from Napata to assist, but with specific instructions to pause at Thebes, to seek there the blessing of the god Amun. Piankhi is no stranger to temple ritual. He knows how to please and appease the god. Nothing is left to chance. Every ritual action is prescribed. Every prayer to Amun is dictated.
When ye arrive at Thebes, before Karnak, ye shall enter into the water, ye shall bathe in the river, ye shall dress in [fine linen}; unstring the bow, loosen the arrow. Let not the chief boast as a mighty man; there is no strength to the mighty without him (Amon). He maketh the weak-armed into the strong-armed, so that multitudes flee from the feeble, and one alone taketh a thousand men. Sprinkle yourselves with the water of his altars, sniff the ground before him. Say ye to him, 'Give to us the way, that we may fight in the shadow of thy sword. (As for) the generation whom thou hast sent out, when its attack occurs, multitudes flee before it.' BAR IV 823
        The army sailed down-stream. "They arrived at Thebes, they did according to all that his majesty had said." (3) Then, sanctified for battle, the Nubian contingent proceeded to relieve the siege of Heracleopolis, the city of Peftjauawybast.
They sailed down-stream upon the river; they found many ships coming up-stream bearing soldiers, sailors, and commanders; every valiant man of the Northland, equipped with weapons of war, to fight against the army of his majesty. Then there was made a great slaughter among them, (whose) number was unknown. Their troops and their ships were captured, and brought as living captives to the place where his majesty was. They went to the [frontier] of Heracleopolis, demanding battle. BAR IV 825
        There follows on the stela a list of the major opponents of Piankhi, those recently defeated by Tefnakht and compelled to join his cause.
List of the princes and kings of the Northland, namely:
1. King Namlot and
2. King Yewepet.
3. Chief of Me, Sheshonk, of Per-Osiris (Busiris), lord of Ded.
4. Great chief of Me, Zeamonefonekh, of Per-Benebded (Mendes), together with
5. His eldest son, who was commander of the army of Per-Thutuprehui.
6. The army of the hereditary prince, Beknenef, together with
7. His eldest son, chief of Me, Nesnekedi. In the nome of Hesebka.
8. Every chief wearing a feather who was in the Northland; together with
9. King Osorkon, who was in Per-Bast (Bubastis) and the district of Ranofer.
10. Every prince, the rulers of the walled towns in the West, in the East, (and) the islands in the midst, were united of one mind as followers of the great chief of the West, ruler of the walled towns fo the Northland, prophet of Neit, mistress of Sais, sem priest of Ptah, Tefnakhte. BAR IV 830
        It was an imposing army. This would be no insignificant battle.
They went forth against them; then they made a great slaughter among them, greater than anything. Their ships were captured upon the river. The remnant crossed over and landed on the west side before Per-Peg. When the land brightened early in the morning, the army of his majesty crossed over against them. Army mingled with army; they slew a multitude of people among them; forces of unknown number; a rout ensued among the remnant. They fled to the North-land, from the blow, great and evil beyond everything. BAR IV 831-832
        Tefnakht was overwhelmed and with his auxiliaries turned and fled northward. He sought sanctuary in Memphis. Piankhi's army disengaged the battle.

        When Piankhi, who remained in Napata, was informed of the course of the conflict he was "enraged like a panther", disconcerted that his army had failed to pursue its advantage. He resolved to take personal command of the army.

"Have they allowed the remnant of the army of the Northland to remain? allowing him that went forth of them to go forth, to tell of his campaign? not causing their death, in order to destroy the last of them? I swear: as Re loves me! As my father Amon favors me! I will myself go northward, that I may destroy that which he has done, that I may make him turn back from fighting, forever. BAR IV 835
        But Piankhi's departure was delayed. As with the army sent earlier, so for himself, political action must await the approval of the god. First he must petition Amon of Napata at his New Year's festival and then Amon of Thebes at the feast of Opet following. Only then would the battle resume.
"Now, afterward when the ceremonies of the New Year are celebrated, I will offer to my father, Amon (of Napata) , at his beautiful feast, when he makes his beautiful appearance of the New Year, that he may send me forth in peace, to behold Amon (of Thebes) at the beautiful Feast of Opet; that I may bring his image forth in procession to Luxor at his beautiful feast (called): "Night of the Feast of Opet," and at the feast (called) "Abiding in Thebes," which Re made for him in the beginning; and that I may (ultimately) bring him in procession to his house, resting upon his throne on the "Day of Bringing in the God," in the third month of the first season, second day; that I may make the Northland taste the taste of my fingers." BAR IV 836
        If we correctly read the inscription, several months passed before Piankhi enjoined the battle. On the ninth day of the month Thoth the New Year's celebrations in Napata ended, and "his majesty went northward to Thebes. There he celebrated the Feast of Opet", and the feast of "Abiding in Thebes". (4) Finally - on to the battle front.

        It may seem unusual, all these pauses for religious festival in the midst of a battle, (5) but Piankhi was an unusual man. Later we will have cause to reflect on the deeply religious side of his character. Though a king, be behaves strangely like a priest.

        While Piankhi tarried in Thebes, the army, having felt the bite of Piankhi's criticism, had renewed hostilities. The delay had allowed Nimlot time to reoccupy Hermopolis. A siege of that city was begun by the army, soon to be joined by Piankhi. A portion of the army also moved to capture Oxyrhyncus, Tetehen and Hatbenu, walled towns which stood between Hermopolis and Memphis.

        Piankhi, on leaving Thebes, "sailed northward to the city of the Hare nome (Hermopolis)" and joined the assault. (6)

        The siege of Hermopolis lasted for several months. The detailed story occupies over one quarter of the stela inscription (lines 31 -70). Though the attack began before Piankhi's arrival, his appearance witnessed an escalation in its intensity.

He (Piankhi) set up for himself the camp on the southwest of Hermopolis, and besieged it daily. An embankment was made, to inclose the wall; a tower was raised to elevate the archers while shooting, and the slingers while slinging stones, and slaying people among them daily. Days passed, and Hermopolis was foul to the nose, without her (usual) fragrance. Then Hermopolis threw herself upon her belly, and plead before the king. BAR IV 842-843
        Terms of the surrender were negotiated. Nimlot forfeited his wealth but retained his kingship.
Then he (Nimlot) presented much silver, gold, lapis lazuli, malachite, bronze, and all costly stones. Then he filled the treasury (of Piankhi) with this tribute; he brought a horse in the right hand and a sistrum in the left hand, of gold and lapis lazuli. BAR IV 847
        It is this image of a prancing horse, led by the vassal Nimlot, which adorns the great stela, and serves to highlight a recurring theme in the narrative - Piankhi's love of horses. His visit to the stables of Hermopolis has become legendary. In a conversation with Nimlot, as the defeated king escorted him through the palace grounds, Piankhi expressed his disdain, not at the loss of human life and property, but at the suffering endured by Nimlot's horses! And he chose the occasion to affirm once again the divine favor afforded him by the god Amon-Re. All the suffering was for nought. Nimlot ought to have known that he could not win the contest. The god Amun was with him.  The outcome was assured.
His majesty proceeded to the house of King Namlot, he entered every chamber of the king's-house, his treasure and his magazines. He caused that there be brought to him the king's-wives and king's-daughters; they saluted his majesty in the fashion of women, (but) his majesty turned not his face to them. His majesty proceeded to the stable of the horses and the quarters of the foals. When he saw that they had suffered hunger, he said: "I swear, as Re loves me, and as my nostrils are rejuvenated with life, it is more grievous in my heart that my horses have suffered hunger, than any evil deed that thou hast done, in the prosecution of thy desire. It has borne witness of thee to me, the fear of thy associates for thee. Didst thou not know that the god's shadow is over me? And that my fortune never perishes because of him? Would that another had done it to me! I could not but [condemn] him on account of it. When I was being fashioned in the womb, and created in the divine egg the seed of the god was in me. By his ka, I do nothing without him; he it is who commands me to do it." BAR IV 850
        The stage was all but set for the conquest of the delta. Peftjauawybast of Heracleopolis arrived at Hermopolis, bearing gifts in gratitude for the salvation of his city - gold, silver, every costly stone, and, of course, "horses of the choicest of the stable." (7) Three walled towns yet stood in Piankhi's way, Per-Sekhemkheperre, Medûm, Ithtowe. All three capitulated at the mere threat of siege. At long last Piankhi arrived at Memphis.

        On the outskirts of Memphis he considered his options. Tefnakht had been provided ample time to strengthen the defenses of the city. He had used the opportunity to fortify its walls and the flooding Nile (for it was the season of inundation) had turned Memphis into an island fortress.

When the day broke, at early morning, his majesty reached Memphis. When he had landed on the north of it, he found that the water had approached to the walls, the ships mooring at [the walls of] Memphis. Then his majesty saw that it was strong, and that the wall was raised by a new rampart, and battlements manned with might men. There was found no way of attacking it. BAR IV 861
        Advice from his generals and advisors was not in short supply.
Every man told his opinion among the army of his majesty, according to every rule of war. Every man said: "Let us besiege [it] -; lo, its troops are numerous." Others said: "Let a causeway be made against it; let us elevate the ground to its walls. Let us bind together a tower; let us erect masts and make spars into a bridge to it. We will divide it on this (plan) on every side of it, on the high ground and - on the north of it, in order to elevate the ground at its walls, that we may find a way for our feet." BAR IV 861
        The advice, well intentioned, was quickly rejected. Piankhi observed how ships, moored on the river on the eastern edge of the city, rode sufficiently high in the water that their prows projected over the city walls. There, in plain sight, was the means of access to the city. The flooding Nile provided an entrance.
Then he sent forth his fleet and his army to assault the harbor of Memphis; they brought to him every ferry-boat, every [cargo]-boat, every [transport], and the ships, as many as there were, which had moored in the harbor of Memphis, with the bow-rope fastened among its houses. [There was not] a citizen who wept, among all the soldiers of his majesty. His majesty himself came to line up the ships, as many as there were. His majesty commanded his army (saying): "Forward against it! Mount the walls! Penetrate the houses over the river. BAR II 863
        The requisitioned vessels, linked in some fashion, served as a bridge to the city walls. The army crossed over. "Then Memphis was taken as (by) a flood of water, a multitude of people were slain therein, and brought as living captives to the place where his majesty was." (8)

        Once again religious ritual intrudes into the narrative. Temples are carefully preserved. Offerings are presented to the gods of Memphis. The city is anointed with natron and incense. Priests are summoned to service. Piankhi proceeded to the temple of Ptah, fulfilled every ritual custom, and a religious celebration followed, replete with offerings of "bulls, calves, fowl, and everything good."

        There was no need to extend the conquest to the balance of the Delta. With the exception of those remote areas controlled by Tefnakht, the chieftains, to a man, yielded the day to Piankhi. They immediately "opened the(ir) strongholds and fled away; none knew the place whither they had gone." In time they appeared before the Nubian king and acknowledged his sovereignty.

King Yewepet came, and the chief of Me, Akenesh, and the hereditary prince, Pediese, together with all the princes of the Northland, bearing their tribute, to behold the beauty of his majesty. BAR IV 868
        There followed a pilgrimage to the chief religious centers of the Delta, to worship Atum of Khereha and Re of Heliopolis. At the latter site "King Osorkon came to see the beauty of his majesty." Then by ship Piankhi traveled "to the harbor of the nome of Athribis", the city of Pediese, where he set up camp and received another delegation of submissive princes.
Then came those kings and princes of the Northland, all the chiefs who wore the feather, every vizier, all chiefs, and every king's confidant, from the west, from the east , and from the islands in the midst, to see the beauty of his majesty. Then the hereditary prince, Pediese, threw himself upon his belly before his majesty, and said: "Come to Athribis, that thou mayest see Khentifkhet, that thou mayest worship Khuyet, that thou mayest offer an oblation to Horus in his house, consisting of : bulls, calves, and fowl; and that thou mayest enter my house. My treasury is open to thee, to [-] thyself with my paternal possessions. I will give to thee gold, as much as thou desirest; malachite shall be heaped up before thee; many horses of the best of the stable, and the first of the stall." BAR IV 873-4
        The gold and silver were destined for the treasuries of the gods adored by Piankhi. The horses were for the king himself.
"Go to the stable that thou mayest choose as thou desirest, of all the horses that thou willst." Then his majesty did so. BAR V 876
        The invitation was echoed by the assembled dignitaries:
Said these kings and princes to his majesty: "Dismiss us to our cities, that we may open our treasuries, that we may choose as much as thy heart desires, that we may bring to thee the best of our stables, the first of our horses." Then his majesty did so. BAR IV 877
        The delta now belonged to Piankhi. All save the western fringe.

        The narrative at this point pauses to list the delta dynasts, in their final act of submission to Piankhi, as they acknowledge his suzerainty and surrender their treasure. The total includes two kings, five princes, and seven Libyan chieftains.

Said these kings and princes to his majesty: "Dismiss us to our cities, that we may open our treasuries, that we may choose as much as thy heart desires, that we may bring to thee the best of our stables, the first of our horses." Then his majesty did so.
List of names belonging thereto:
    King Osorkon in Bubastis, the district of Ranofer
    King Yewepet in Tantremu and Tayan
    The prince Djedamonfankh in "the granary of Re" of Per-Benebded (Mendes)
    His eldest son, commander of the army, in Per-Thutuprehui, Enekhhor.
    The prince, Akenesh, in Sebennytos, in Per-heby, and in Samhudet
    The prince, chief of Me, Pethenef, in Per-Soped and in "the granary of Memphis."
    The prince, chief of Me, Pemou, in Per-Osiris (Busiris), lord of Ded.
    The prince, chief of Me, Nesnekedy in the nome of Hesebka.
    The prince, chief of Me, Nekhtharneshenu in Per-Gerer.
    The chief of Me, Pentewere.
    The chief of Me, Pentibekhenet.
    The prophet of Horus, lord of Letopolis, Pediharsomtous.
    The prince, Hurabes in the house of Sekhmet, mistress of Sais, and the house of Sekhmet, mistress of Rehesu.
    The prince Zedkhiyu in Khentnofer.
    The prince Pebes in Khereha in Per-Hapi. BAR IV 877-878
        To this list we must add Pediese, the hereditary chief of Athribis and three key dignitaries named earlier in the narrative, kings Nimlot of Hermopolis, Peftjauawybast of Heracleopolis, and the chief of Me, Sheshonk, of Busiris, the army commander subordinate to Pemou, prince of that city. They are not unimportant characters in the drama.

        The fate of the one missing dynast, Tefnakht, is recounted in the closing lines of the inscription. Fearful of appearing in person before Piankhi, the Saïte chieftain, from his seclusion in the delta marshes, sent an emissary with flattering words and "gold and every costly stone, and the best of the horses, (even) [payment] for everything." While he would not appear before Piankhi, he requested and received a delegation of priests, representatives of Piankhi, before whom he swore allegiance to the Napatan king.

I will not transgress the command of the king, I will not overstep that which the king saith. I will not do a hostile act against a prince without thy knowledge; I will do according to that which the king says, and I will not transgress that which he has commanded." Then his majesty was satisfied therewith. BAR IV 881
        With a brief mention of the submission of a few peripheral strongholds of central Egypt the narrative concludes. All Egypt now belongs to Piankhi. "There is not a nome closed against his majesty of the nomes of the South and North; the west, the east, and the islands in the midst are upon their bellies in fear of him, causing that their possessions be presented at the place where his majesty is, like subjects of the palace." (9)

        With treasure in hand, Piankhi journeyed south.

Then the ships were laden with silver, gold, copper, clothing, and everything of the Northland, every product of Syria, and all sweet woods of God's-Land. His majesty sailed up-stream, with glad heart, the shores on his either side were jubilating. West and east, they seized the [-], jubilating in the presence of his majesty; singing and jubilating as they said: "O mighty, mighty Ruler, Piankhi, O mighty Ruler; thou comest, having gained the dominion of the Northland. Thou makest bulls into women. Happy the heart of the mother who bore thee, and the man who begat thee. Those who are in the valley give to her praise, the cow that hath borne a bull. Thou art unto eternity, thy might endureth, O Ruler, beloved of Thebes. BAR IV 883
        It is regrettable that the name of Piankhi's mother and father are omitted. Had their names been included Egyptian history might have been written differently.