back

Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum: 68.1656'A1


MIRACULOUS CURE OF POLYARATOS BY AMENOTHES


Greek text:   I. Deir El-Bahari A1   [ TM 6312 ]
Provenance:   Deir El-Bahari , Egypt
Date:   260 B.C.
Tags:     epiphanies , medical_care
Format:   see key to translations

This text was written on a flake of limestone. It contains many corrections, which makes it likely that it was a rough draft of a narrative that would eventually be published as a more formal inscription; it is certainly reminiscent of the Epidauros miracle cures ( Syll³ 1168 ). For more information about the cult of Amenothes, see A. Łajtar, "The Cult of Amenhotep Son of Hapu and Imhotep in Deir el-Bahari in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods" ( academia.edu ).

The translation is by A. Łajtar, as reproduced by P. Lang, "Medicine and Society in Ptolemaic Egypt", p. 88 ( Google Books ); the Greek text is reproduced by G. Renberg, "Where Dreams May Come", pp. 461-462 ( Google Books ).


Under king Ptolemy son of Ptolemy, and Ptolemy the son, in the 25th year, in the month Choiak, Polyaratos set up this in order to make known the virtue {aretē} of Amenōthēs {Amenhotep}. I became the victim of a serious and dangerous illness that lasted for eight years. Starting with the glands, my muscles were constricted along the whole body and I was paralyzed and I suffered pains that were difficult to withstand. I thought about salvation for a long time, but how was without result . . . I had also recourse to physicians, but they were unable to make me healthy. Since I have heard from many people that Amenōthēs has accomplished numerous aretai, that he is merciful and that many desperate people have found salvation through him, so I . . ., also being desperate, came, fleeing for protection, as a suppliant to the sanctuary of Amenōthēs with the supplication of which I have written a copy. Amenōthēs appeared to me and I was cured by him manifestly and I have been healthy. For that reason I would like to praise him and the gods worshipped together with him on the same altars and in the same temple, making known their art in the form of an inscription for all those who, affected by an illness, come to the sacred precinct of Amenōthēs in order that they know the power of the god who appeared manifestly they know . . . manifestly by the god who . . .


Attalus' home page   |   30.05.25   |   Any comments?