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Ancient Egyptian Texts:  5.10


EPITAPH OF NEFERSOBEK

Provenance:   Memphis
Date:   December 189 B.C.
Language:   Hieroglyphic & Demotic
Translated by:   L. Prada
Format:   see key to translations

The stele of Nefersobek has been lost, but an accurate drawing was made of the inscription in the early nineteenth century, and from this the text was published in 2019 by L. Prada, "The Funerary Stela of Nephersouchis II, an Additional Member of the Family of the High Priests of Memphis" ( academia.edu ).

Because the inscription has been published quite recently, Nefersobek does not appear in the family tree of the high priests of Memphis compiled by Chris Bennett, but she can easily be fitted into that family tree, as the daughter of the high priest Anemhor II and the aunt of Nesisti. If the Demotic version of her age is correct (as seems likely), she was born in August 261 B.C., and her funeral took place in December 189 B.C.

The scene at the top of the stele shows Osiris (left) and Nefersobek.

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[A]   {Hieroglyphic text:}   Regnal year 17, month of Tubi, day 29: the day of the interment of the Osiris of the fine musician of Ptah, Nefersobek, justified, the daughter of the god's father and god's beloved, the prince, the count, the overseer of prophets, the director of every kilt, the setem-priest, the prophet of Ptah, Anemhor, justified, she whom the lady of the house, Herankh, justified (?), generated, after it it was arranged for her a great and fine mummification by the son of her brother, the god's father and god's beloved, the prince, the count, the overseer of prophets, the director of every kilt, the setem-priest, the prophet of Ptah, Nesisti, after she had accomplished 82 years, 5 months, and 7 days as her lifetime.

[B]   {Demotic text:}   Regnal year 17, month of Tubi, day 29: the day of putting to rest the Osiris of Nanefersobek, the daughter of the god's father, the setem-priest, the prophet of Ptah, Anemhor, her mother being Herankh, after arranging a great and fine mummification for her at the initiative of the son of her brother, the god's father, the setem-priest, the prophet of Ptah, Nesisti, after spending 72 years, 5 months, and 7 days of lifetime, which she accomplished.


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