The Words of Harkhuf
16:53Part of the Going Further in Time project
His Majesty Merenre, my master, sent me, together with my father, Sole Companion and Lector-Priest, Iry, to the land of Yam, to explore its ways. I carried out this mission in seven months, I brought back all sorts of tributes, beautiful and rare and I was praised for it very highly.
His Majesty sent me a second time, alone. I went by way of the Elephantine road and returned via the land of Irtet, Makher and Teres of Irtet at the end of a voyage of eight months. I returned carrying tributes of this land in very great numbers, of a kind, which nobody had ever brought to Egypt before. I returned, coming from the camp of the chief of Setu and Irtet after having explored this land. You will find no other Sole Companion, Chief of Interpreters who has reached [so far] into the land of Yam before.
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| Possible locations of Yam |
When the chief of Irtet-Setu-Wa-Wat saw how strong and numerous were the troops of Yam returning with me towards the residence [marching] in the company of the army which had been sent with me, he handed over, to be given to me, bulls and goats and guided me through the ways of the hills of Irtet because of the skill and the vigilance which I had shown, more than any other companion, Chief of Interpretors, former envoy to the land of Yam. Then, this servant followed the course of the river as far as the Residence; and it was arranged that the prince, Sole Companion, Steward of the two halls of libation [?] came to meet me with ships loaded with date wine, cakes, bread and beer.
- The Prince, Treasurer to the King of Lower Egypt, Sole Companion, Lector-Priest, Treasurer of the God, Secret Counsellor for the Decrees, The Imaku, Harkhuf
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