helmut satzinger


 Sammelbuch XIV 11957.23 = FHN III 319. Dijkstra Philae, p. 52.  For the first edition see T.C. Skeat, ‘A Letter from the King of the Blemmyes to the King of the Noubades’, JEA 63 (1977) pp. 159-70, revised by J. Rea, ‘The Letter of Phonen to Aburni’, ZPE 34 (1979) pp. 147-62.


The Papyrus Letter of the Blemmyan King Phonên

Written to the Nobadian King Abourni

    (found at the Nobadian city of Primis / Qasr Ibrîm)


The most distinct Phonen, King of the Blemmys, (writing)
        to Abourni, King of the Nobades, and Nakase and Moyses, his sons.
First of all I am sending numerous salutations to your Royalty and all people of the country, and wishes for the blessing of your people. This is the first thing for which I pray to God.

Now I write to you, to your Virtue, since you have written to me that there are big issues with some people.
Now, as you have sons, I also have a son, namely Breytek, and (his?) brother Yeni, and (the) others (with) much strength (?).
Anyway, do not imagine that he (=Breytek) is not noble !  Whatever has been done – nobody has seen it, except God, and our son Breytek and (his?) brother Yeni.
"I want to investigate the death through (?) Yeni."  And with that your envoy was sent to me here, and I called for Breytek and (his?) brother Yeni and detained them.  For nobody can make war, unless it is I who have ordered it !  But (on the other hand) your men do not obey you, rather you listen to the words of your men.  

You wrote that "I wish that we are unanimous and keep my cattle conjointly with yours, pasturing one with the other, and also the sheep, in all kindness."  If you wish, I and you will remain peacefully in our home area.  

First, Silko defeated and captured Talmis.  Then you defeated and captured Talmis.  (To be exact:)  First, Silko captured and occupied our lands, then you defeated and captured Talmis.
First, Silko said that “Give me sheep and cattle and camels (so he said) in order that your [= Phonên’s] land be given back !”  I gave everything, and you humilated and hindered us.  I wrote to (?) Yeni because of peace and sent envoys with oaths.  And you humilated and killed phylarchs and hypotyranns and seized the cult priests at Phôntauou (?).
But given that it is permitted that there are wars, it is, however, not permitted that men are humilated, and that men with oaths are killed.
As for that what Silko did – for which Yeni felt humilated (?) – I became sad because of it, and I came and waged war.   As for the words of Silko and Yeni, I will ignore them, perhaps also the fate of Silko and Yeni.  
We, I and you, can now, as brothers and greatest ones, make a good time with another.
Leave my land and lead the gods (back) to the sanctuary in order that I and you make a good time with another.  
You have informed me about silver and sheep and camels – these have been found (= they are there, are provided).
I sent to you:  “Leave my land and give us back our own and the gods !”  I sent to you this (writing) of my own hand:  “If you please, give me my land and my gods !  I have (then) good peace with you.”
Take notice that:  if you keep hold of our land and the gods, we cannot endure to leave everything to go to ruin.
It is not that I wage war because of your land:  it is because of our land that you wage war.

Furthermore, I tell you that Pacheniôs came and devastated Danant, and I withdrew from your (or our ?) land.  For Kôy came beyond Tabales and erected victory altars.  You have defeated Kabantia, and we did not stay in your lands.  You have defeated all kings.  Do not wish to take hold of our lands, for this is not good.   
When your envoy met me, I hurried to appoint Skarôw, son of Aynêm, that my land be given to him (for administration ?).  When the envoy came, I trusted you and sent the brother Yeni.  Behold, I have made oaths to the effect that if you give me our land we will be in peace in all eternity.  I gave my oaths to the brother Yeni in order that you give him (= me?) my lands.

Also I, Breytek, the phylarch, send many greetings to the lord, the brother, Abourni, king of the Noubades, together with the gods of Talmis, to the effect that – if you give back our lands – we will not anymore wage war with each other until eternity, but rather shall I duly keep peace.

And I, Phonên, the king, send you a camel, it is a greeting.  I write to you that I and Breytek make oathes to the gods... if you withdraw from our lands just as you have come on this way.
    Verso
As for Iasatek:  do not give him rest but rather persue him.  Do not listen to his words.

H. Satzinger 2013