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Text: Cairo CG 1230 [ TM 48392 ] Provenance: Naucratis Date: c. 285-246 B.C. Script: Hieroglyphic Translated by: Ph. Derchain Format: see key to translations The most remarkable thing about this statue is its size - it is 3.6 metres high. The surviving text on the back pillar gives Horemheb no title except 'priest of Min', and does little to explain why he was thought worthy of such an oversized monument. The statue has been tentatively dated to the reign of Ptolemy II. The style of the statue, Horemheb's name, and the name of his mother are all Egyptian; but on the other hand the inscription stresses that he was Greek, and the name of his father is Greek. The translation is adapted from Ph. Derchain, "Les impondérables de l'hellénisation" (2000), pp.42-43. The meaning of some phrases is debatable, especially in the first column; see the review of Derchain's book by I. Guermeur in BiOr 60 (2003), pp.333-335 ( JPG ). | 
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{ under the scene at the top of the back, representing Amon, Mut, Khonsu and Min: }
Veneration of Him-whose-arm-is-vigorous by a saint {ḥsy}, who loves a saint.
{ three columns of hieroglyphs on the back pillar: }
[1] When I was introduced very fortunately among the undeserving, the Superior proclaimed "Friend", whom his heart rejoiced to see. Ignoring sleep and not wearying of taking care of the secret affairs of his master, who controls the flood in the Two Lands, which irrigates what dries up when the heat arrives, thanks to the abundance of his goods, the Greek, a man of Pḫȝt, priest of Min Lord of Badjed, Horemheb, son of Krates {Kȝrds} and Smithis {Šsmt.t}. He addresses his master Amon-Rê-Badjed: "O! Great sovereign . . .
[2] . . . certainly, that you are informed of what I thought. I am your servant. You took care to make room for me in a womb, and I was vigorous from birth; you encouraged (?) my heart from the cradle. My wisdom has not been built up by myself, but because I was reared better than by a father, because I was nurtured better than by a mother, having been instructed better than by a friend, for you placed me on the water from the beginning, from my conception until the summit of accomplishment: living well, well provided with health, sailing along the current to fulfil a long life, so that I longed to become your servant, while my heart was filled with . . .
[3] My heart relies on the one who acts for me, since he has been holding the tiller. My heart is the rudder; its errors are in your hand. I devote the time of sleep to taking care of your temple, when I am awake to manage the business of your residence. Everyone who is inflamed with zeal for your designs should act according to his heart. I have erected a ẖnty statue and a twt effigy of the Holy Master of my heart next to you, and I have erected an effigy of my father and a bronze image of my mother in adoration of you. I adorned with gold the pavilion of rejoicing . . ."
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