Autobiography of Harkhuf

Harkhuf (also Harkhuf, Herchuf, Hirchuf ) (c. 2300 BC ) was an Egyptian official and explorers. He was, among other things, the title " Foremost of action " ( ḥ3.tj - ˁ ), " royal Siegler ", " lector priest ", " head of languages ​​" and probably end his career " chief of Upper Egypt ". His father was the " only friend" and " lector priest " Iri.

Around 2300 BC, he took a total of four expeditions to the first Nile cataract into the country Jam ( Southern Nubia ). In the first expedition, he explored with his father the route by Jam in the third expedition he traveled the westsudanische desert. In the second year of King Pepi II, during his fourth expedition, Harkhuf brought a dwarf the dancers God from the land of " horizon dwellers ".

An inscription on his tomb in Qubbet el- Hawa at Elephantine ( Aswan ) reported extensively from his expeditions and his life.

Family

In Harchufs grave three family members are called. This is the one his father Iri, who carried the title of "single friend " and a " read-aloud priest ". Harchufs wife was Tepemnefret, with nice names Tepi. She carried the title of a " friend of the King" (ie, maid of honor ) and a " minister of God of Hathor ". The only child of the couple was the son Djemi, with nice names Mesteni or Mesni. This was the title of a "single friend ", " reading Priest" and " Superintendent of the languages ​​", which already owned his father.

Title

Harchufs Travel

First trip

The report on the first trip is extremely brief. Harkhuf and his father Iri were commissioned by King Merenre order to explore the way to the land of Jam. The trip took a total of seven months. Harkhuf brought many goods from Jam to Egypt and was highly praised for it.

Second trip

In the second trip Harkhuf led the sole command. In his report he mentions numerous place names: he traveled on the Elephantine road and came on his way to jam through the countries Irtjet, Mecher and Tereres that were probably part of a political unit called Irtjet. On the way back he came to the court of the ruler of Setju and Irtjet. The journey lasted eight months, and many goods were brought to Egypt. In his report Harkhuf takes the fame claim that no expedition leader had done similar performances in front of him.

Third Voyage

The most detailed information describing the third starting point is the eighth Upper Egyptian nome. From there Harkhuf passed over Oasenweg to the southwest, where he met the ruler of Jam, who was leading an expedition against the Libyans. This event delayed the schedule of the expedition apparently clear because Harkhuf sent one of his people, together with a subordinate of the ruler of Jam at the Egyptian royal court, to report on the delay. There was a barter between Harkhuf and the ruler of Jam and Harkhuf came on the way home in the area of the southern and northern Irtjet Setju. He crossed the area with a caravan consisting of 300 donkeys, laden with incense, ebony, hknw oil and other things. He got back to the ruler of Irtjet and Setju who had brought in the meantime also the country Wawat under his control. Since Harkhuf led a strong army with him, which also troops from Jam belonged, there was no hostile confrontations. Instead, the ruler Harkhuf cattle and safe passage was through his realm. On the way to the residence of the officials came Harkhuf Chuni meet with several ships.

Fourth trip

The fourth trip took place after the death Merenres, held in the early reign of his successor, Pepi II. About Here there is no direct report. Harkhuf instead had to copy his grave facade of a letter of the young king. This letter is dated to the second regnal year, 3rd month of Akhet - Season, Day 15 This is a response to a report that Harkhuf the king had sent. Pepi pushes it from his great joy at the Harkhuf brings a " runt of God dances " to the court, as it had already done the expedition leader Bawerdjed during the reign of Djedkare on a trip to Punt. He warns Harkhuf to hurry and tells him to constantly set up guards for the dwarf, so that he falls into the water to avoid during the cruise on the Nile.

The grave of Harkhuf

Harkhuf is owner of the tomb Q34n in Qubbet el- Hawa.

The grave in 1890

Floor plan and cross section of the grave

Representation of Djemi the victim before his father; Grave of Harkhuf