All of these points show a firm hand and
practised taste, although there is still a style of simplicity clinging
to it which agrees well to its date in the XIIth Dynasty.
The great serpent is not of a type usual in Egyptian designs. The
human-headed uraeus is seldom bearded; and the best example of such a
monster is on an Ethiopian temple, where a great uraeus has human arms
and a lion's head. The colours again repeat the favourite combination
expressive of splendour--gold and lazuli. Though lazuli is very rare in
early times, yet it certainly was known in the XIIth Dynasty, as shown
by the forms of some beads of lazuli.
The slaughter of asses in sacrifice is a very peculiar offering, and no
sign of this is found in any representations or groups of offerings.
The colophon of the copyist at the end shows by the style of the name
that it belongs to the earlier part of the XIIth Dynasty, and if so, the
composition might be referred to the opening of foreign trade under
Sankhkara or Amenemhat I.
XIITH DYNASTY
THE ADVENTURES OF SANEHAT
The hereditary prince, royal seal-bearer, confidential friend, judge,
keeper of the gate of the foreigners, true and beloved royal
acquaintance, the royal follower Sanehat says:--
I attended my lord as a follower of the king, of the house of the
hereditary princess, the greatly favoured, the royal wife,
Ankhet-Usertesen, who shares the dwelling of the royal son Amenemhat in
Kanefer.
Pages:
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58