Coptos Decree

The Koptos decree of the Nub - cheper - Anjotef Re ( VII ) or Antef V. is written in hieroglyphic script document from Min Temple in Koptos.

Content of Decree

The decree from his third year of the reign of King Anjotef the dismissal of a Teti, the mayor of Koptos and high dignitary of the temple, and the appointment of his successor by the name Minemhat. The reason for the dismissal is in serious misconduct of Teti, but this was interpreted differently by the translators of the decree. Teti should have caused an uproar, Teti had supported the king's enemies, or he had an object that belonged to the god Min stolen from Koptos. The wording of the decree, the latter interpretation is most likely herauszulesen. The consequences of these transgressions were serious and far-reaching: the culprit not only lost his offices and emoluments to his successor, but also his family members were excluded from these offices for the future, to which the king undertook his own successor and other rulers.

Meaning of the Decree

The Koptos decree provides for the ancient Egyptian history an important document dar. yet it contains the only reference to the minimum Longevity of King Nub - cheper -Re Anjotef. In addition, it provides information on the power position of the king: the mention of " rulers " leads to the conclusion that he not only possessed the power over all of Egypt, a characteristic sign of the Second Intermediate Period of Ancient Egypt.

Wording of the decree ( translation )

Regnal year 3, month 3 of Peret season, day 25, under the majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt Nebu Heper -Re, son of Re: Antef, endowed with life like Re, forever.

King command:

• The Keeper of the Seals of the King of Lower Egypt and Mayor of Koptos " Minemhat "
• The king's son, the commander of Koptos " Kinen "
• The royal Privy Seal and ( dressing ) priest ( the min ) of Koptos, the temple - scribe of the god (Min ) " Nefer - hetep -ur "
• The whole army of Koptos
• The entire officiating priests of the temple.

Noticed: one has brought you this command, so that you may know that my majesty - LWG ( the abbreviation formula means life, prosperity and health) - causes the coming of the scribe of the holy Amun treasure, "Sa -Amun " has, and the " Amun -user- Re", carried out with the aim of an inspection in the temple of Min because the priesthood of my father Min temple has my majesty - LWG 'm Cursed his name - - been stolen is " ḫftjw " by Teti, the son of Minhotep: - articulate, because an incident has occurred in this temple.

[Note: " ḫftjw " are literally "enemies" and " stolen " is the passive mode. - The cult of Min- temple apparently was a very valuable sculpture with enemies of the temple, the god eg kills in the ritual. This " enemy statue " or parts of the group has Teti stolen to enrich themselves ].

You have to throw him to the ground ( its rights to cancel ) in my father Min temple, and it will cause you that will give him the Office revoked and he is removed from the body in the Temple - from father to son and from heritage to heritage - by locked will. Fort Taken 'll be income, his legal rights, his drinking and his meat ration. Not one should remember his name in this temple, as it is done with his peers, who passed away at the enemy statue ( " ḫftjw " ) of his God. Removes his inscriptions from the temple of Min, from the treasury and from each roll of papyrus alike.

As for every king and every ruler who will forgive him, he will not receive the White Crown ( Upper Egypt ), nor will he put the Red Crown of Lower Egypt, and not let him sit on the Horus - throne of the living ( the reigning kings ). Not to be merciful to him as her lover devoted to the two mistresses ( Nebti ). As for all commanders and all officers that appeal to the ruler - LWG - Will turn to pardon him by getting up ( there is ), it should be transferred to his (the Gesuchers ) people, his property and fields in the temple assets of my father Min, the Lords of Koptos.

Furthermore, should not be allowed, unless one is brought up by his immediate family and his other relatives of his father or his mother's side. In that office And it will cause you that that office is transferred to the treasurer of the king and head of administration " Minemhat ". It will give him his ( the Office ) income, whose food, water and meat rations by the Office shall be indicated on him in my father Lo, the Lord of Koptos, from father to son and from heritage to heritage temple.