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Egyptian Texts:  4.36


STATUE OF THE STRATEGOS AMPHIOMIS


Text:   Cleveland 48.141   [ TM 43987 ]
Date:   125-75 B.C.
Script:   Hieroglyphic
Translated by:   H. Ranke
Format:   see key to translations

The inscriptions on this statue were published by H. Ranke, "The Statue of a Ptolemaic στρατηγος of the Mendesian Nome in the Cleveland Museum of Art" (JAOS 73, 1953). Because the name 'Amphiomis' is relatively rare, it is very likely that another statue (Cairo CG 687), with an inscription referring to 'the commander of the troops Pelaias, son of the priest Amphiomis', depicts a member of the same family, perhaps the father of this Amphiomis.

The date of the statue is disputed: see the discussion by C. Fischer-Bovet, "Army and Society in Ptolemaic Egypt", p. 309 n. 23 ( Google Books ).


{ On the belt: }

The priest, commander of the infantry troops, commander of the chariotry Ỉmn-pȝ-ym, son of the commander of troops Pȝ-ỉmj-r-ỉḥ(.w).

The priest, commander of troops, king's brother Ỉmn-pȝ-ym, born of Nb(.t)-tḫ(.t) { Nebtichis }.

{ Below the scene on the back pillar: }

The priest, commander of troops, king's brother Ỉmn-pȝ-ym, son of Pȝ-ỉmj-r-ỉḥ.w and of the lady of the house Nb(.t)-tḫ(.t).

{ Main inscription on the back pillar: } The hereditary prince, sole companion, king's brother, great commander of troops in the nome of Mendes; a counsellor for every citizen of the Two Lands, on account of whose saying they come petitioning and are all satisfied; of happy character, joyful of heart, whose abomination is (?) violence, the commander of the chariotry . . . ; mighty of strength against many adversaries, a Baʿl (?) for the army of the unique lord { the king }, who loves him more than all his treasurers; who is wont to do all the king says, who cannot be repelled, who is faithful, without ceasing even for an hour, in searching for [what is agreeable for the king?]; kind, when all their things in field and town are taken away for the treasury of the glorious goat { Banebdjed } ; . . . subjects of his . . . who made for him a singer's lyre (?) of silver, like which was not made anything, and a staff of silver (?) . . .


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