AS we mentioned last week, the tale of Sanehat (or Senohy) took place at the time of king Amenemhat I, the founder of the 12th dynasty, middle kingdom. After the king's death, Sanehat flew to Syria but was always longing to return back to Egypt. The following is how he described the Egyptian king in Poetic words translated by the renowned Egyptologist Flinders Pitrie: “He is a god who has none like him, and there is none before him. He is a master of wisdom, prudent in his designs, excellent in his decrees, with good-will to him who goes or who comes; he subdued the land of strangers while his father yet lived in his palace, and he rendered account of that which his father destined him to perform. He is a bravπe man, who verily strikes with his sword; a valiant one, who has not his equal; he springs upon the barbarians, and throws himself on the spoilers; he breaks the horns and weakens the hands, and those whom he smites cannot raise the buckler. He is fearless, and dashes the heads, and none can stand before him. He is swift of foot, to destroy him who flies; and none who flees from him reaches his home. His heart is strong in his time; he is a lion who strikes with the claw, and never has he turned his back. His heart is closed to pity; and when he sees multitudes, he leaves none to live behind him. He is a valiant one who springs in from when he sees resistance; he is a warrior who rejoices when he flies on the barbarians. He seizes the buckler, he rushes forward, he never needs to strike again, he slays and none can turn his lance; and when he takes the bow the barbarians flee from his arms like dogs; for the great goddess has given to him to strike those who know her not; and if he reaches forth he spares none, and leaves nought behind. He is a friend of great sweetness, who knows how to gain love; his land loves him more than itself, and rejoices in him more than in its own god; men and women run to his call. A king, he has ruled from his birth; he, from his birth, has increased births, a sole being, a divine essence, by whom this land rejoices to be governed.” This shows the great respect Sanehat had for his king and that is why he, unhesitantly, presented a petition to him asking to return to Egypt. The king allowed his return and on the way back he was challenged into a fight. The scene of that fight is very interesting because it reflects the moral code of that time; an honorable fight was to be witnessed by people but never interfered into, the one who won the fight killed the adversary and annexed all his belongings and this will be the subject of our next article. [email protected] Saleh is the Director of Egypt's Centre for Documentation of Culture and Natural Heritage.
