Stela of queen Amanishaketo

Stela of queen Amanishaketo

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The decipherments are tentative because it is hard to read the Meroitic letters on this stela from a photograph, because I am looking at published versions of the inscriptions published in books. In the future some of these decipherment may have to be done over.

This stela was found in the The temple of Amon (1st cent. BC/ 1st cent. AD) at Naqa, Hypostyle Hall.

On the front of the stela we see on the (left) Goddess Amesemi , on the (right) Amanishakheto

The goddess Amesemi is depicted with a falcon on her head, sometimes her presentation on a monument will include a crescent moon.

Amesemi was a Meroitic goddess, who was the wife of Apedemak, lion god of Meroë. The Egyptians never worshiped her. Amesemi wears a crown shaped like a falcon or a falcon standing on a crescent moon. (The falcon is a symbol of kingship and of the god Horus.)

The moon was known as the Eye of Horus, as was the cobra on the ruler’s crown. People believed that the moon and the cobra were forms of their ruler’s protective goddess. Because Amesemi wore the falcon and the moon on her crown, many people believe that Amesemi was this protective goddess.

An Ankh extends from Amesemi’s nose to the nose of Amanishkheto. This probably represented the divine breath passed on to Amanishkheto from Amesemi.

The inscriptions on this stela are on the reverse , and the side of the stela.

The Transliteration of the Amanishakheto stela is as follows:

1. nišheto qo-ne qo

2. n-ne he ñk e li-ne ml o

3. ps e o-ne a r-i te

4. k-ne a ine rm i l-ne t d b e šo

5. sli n0 tene q en ne-n

6. te ši-ne ht nk tone n h-ne

7. tek ……ok…….nm…..n h n om-ne

8. hl[e]…. O h p ne š m r

9. m ……. Te r h tl k-ne l tene

10. [………….. ……]

11. h ne m e ter h te m n š nel l

12. w-ne q š-ne l h mete o om-ne

13. sl lne tek nei h r tne š

14. k ñh d ne ate h te ši kne

15. r-ñ h ne-ñ kne ane e-m bo

Translation

1. Anishkheto noble and good restored

2.Manifest the external spirit now;
command the transmittal of the sould to commence.

3. Give guard the accession (of the) apparition—may it go forth.

4. The Object of Supplication and Good [Anishkheto] goes to witnee [a new] existence. Arrange to leave a legacy [and] blessed life.

5. Leave to set in motion now the Rebirth. Act to command Good to manifest.

6. The propitiation to pour out. God ignites and manifest the abstract personality of man.

7. To investigate…….a new…..reverence and Good the offering’s only acquisition.

8. Reverberate…….initiate the offering a good pray[er] [for] the patron’s luck

9. m… …. ..te indeed the blessings to elevate the Object of Supplication’s rebirth.

10. [……….. ….. …. … …]

11. The abstract personality of man to unlock indeed the great holy place (of) good (to) merit existence

12. The Commander acts to uplift Greatness, unlock from a distance (its) acquisition.

13. Set in motion (her) existence to investigate benevolence (and) dignity. Lay Good (on) the patron.

14. It (is) obligatory at this time to leave a legacy at this moment dispensing (your) satisfaction.

15. Certainly her abstract personality of man to manifest the Object of Supplication’s spirit much favor (and) increase.

The inscription on the edge

Transliteration

1. ah

2. e k p

3. k h

4. š ne nek e

5. [………..]

6. [….. …… ]

7. […. …… ..]

8. a šne

9. š

10. [… ….. …..]

11. [….. ….. ….]

12. [… ….. …. ..]

13. ñ l li

14. l d

15. b ene

Translation

“The blessed dead [Anishkheto] prays (for) nourishment (of) the obligatory offerings…..to merit……patron……retire exalted. (Her) lasting legacy is abundant almsgiving.”