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Egyptian Texts:  5.12


STATUE OF NESNEPHTHYS


Text:   Delos A 379   [ TM 112676 ]
Provenance:   Delos
Date:   323-250 B.C.
Script:   Hieroglyphic
Translated by:   S. Albersmeier
Format:   see key to translations

This statue was found in the temple of Isis and Sarapis on the island of Delos, but it was almost certainly made in the region of Sais, and transported to Delos at a later date. In a similar way, a stela from Heracleopolis was found in the temple of Isis in Pompeii (see AET_4.26 ).

The translation is adapted from S. Albersmeier, "Untersuchungen zu den Frauenstatuen des ptolemäischen Ägypten" (2002), no. 46. The statue's connection with religious practices in Sais has been explained by P. Wilson, "Gateway to the underworld: the cult areas at Sais", p. 357 ( academia.edu ).


1 The beautiful sistrum player Nesnephthys, daughter of the director of the mansions [Padi-]Neith, her mother being Tahenet, she says: O the one who goes off to heaven, who enters the horizon, O keepers of the secrets who are initiated in the 'Temple of the Bee', weavers who enter the 'Mansions of Neith', who are initiated in the great god, remember my name . . .

2 Come and bow your two arms with the royal banquet for me, saying: May you enter, may you go out at the right time on the side of the 'Temple of the Bee', may you receive the sacrificial bread at the gate of the mansion of Hemag on the shore of the Lake of Eternity, in the 'Mansion of Neith' . . .

3 May you go through the netherworld {dȝ.t} with a sweet heart without being rejected by the Lord of All, may you enter praised and go out loved, may you go through without your steps being turned away, may you follow the boat as it descends from heaven, to touch the 'place of tethering of the blessed'. For the ka . . .


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