BMCR 2009.07.62: Nadig on Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions. Translations. Vol. 5, Setnakht, Ramesses III and Contemporaries

K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions. Translations. Vol. 5, Setnakht,
Ramesses III and Contemporaries.  Malden, Mass./Oxford:  Blackwell,
2008.  Pp. xxiv, 523.  ISBN 9780631184317.  $400.00.

Reviewed by Peter C. Nadig, Freie Universitaet Berlin
([email protected])
Word count:  1340 words
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The Liverpudlian Egyptologist and emeritus Kenneth A. Kitchen is one of
the leading authorities on the Ramesside Period, the 19th and 20th
Dynasties of New Kingdom Egypt (ca. 1292- 1070 BC). His opus magnum is
the Ramesside Inscriptions (KRI) in eight volumes -- a painstaking
compilation of inscriptions, graffiti, papyri and ostraca.[[1]] The
original edition completed in 1990 after 21 years primarily renders the
hieroglyphic text of these sources in Professor Kitchen's own hand. In
recent years he has begun to add two supplemental series to the
original edition: Series A: Translations and Series B: Annotations
(RITANC). The latter is to provide a bibliography, introductions, and a
compact commentary. Five out of seven volumes of the translation series
and two of the annotation series have so far been published. The book
under review is No. V in the translations series and concerns the rule
of the early twentieth dynasty kings Setnakht (1187-1185 BC) and his
son Ramesses III (1185-1154 BC).[[2]] It covers all the texts in the
original hieroglyphic edition in KRI V. Since a corresponding
annotation volume is still in preparation, this book therefore does not
contain any explanatory notes or commentary. Like in the original
volume a lengthy table of content -- which also includes the source
references -- precedes an abbreviations and sigla list as well a short
preface. A brief introduction to this volume's theme has been added.
The text has marginal references to the pages of the hieroglyphic
edition. Due to its size the table of contents can only be rendered in
a concise form below, yet it provides a fair glimpse of the immense
variety of the texts covered here. At the end of the book detailed
indexes list the sources in museums and collections, papyri, ostraca,
graffiti and private tombs in western Thebes.

The bulk of these texts derive from the huge mortuary temple of
Ramesses III in Medinet Habu in western Thebes, one of the best
preserved buildings from that period. It fills more than half the book.
The accounts of the foreign wars remain a very important source here
(pp. 9-87). They occurred between the years five and eleven, when Egypt
had to fight against invasions by the Libyans (years 5 and 11) and the
Sea Peoples (year 8). The latter consisted of an alliance of Peleset
(Philistines), Tjekkeru, Shaklusha, Danuna (Danaeans) and Washash. How
effective their impact was, can be seen by some lines from the great
inscription of year 8 that refer to the destruction they caused in
Asia: "(As for) as the foreign countries, they made a conspiracy in
their isles. Removed and scattered in battle, were the lands at one
time. No land could stand up against ('before') their arms, beginning
with Hatti... cut off (all) at [once] in one [place] ... within Amurru;
they devastated its people and its land was like it had never existed
(p. 34 = KRI V, 39, 16-40,2). This text therefore provides an
approximate date for the end of several states in the Levant, once
friends and vassals of Egypt. The Libyans and Sea Peoples did not
succeed, however, in subduing Egypt thanks to the efforts of Ramesses
and his army.

But despite these military successes this was also a period of crisis
that continued after the death of Ramesses III. The loss of Egypt's
foreign possessions in Asia contributed to a decline in revenues and
corruption in the administration became widespread. All too often the
government was in arrears with payments to its workforce. This is
exemplified by the protests of the workmen from Deir el-Medina over
outstanding provisions, commonly referred to as the first known
"strike" in history. Even though the lengthy Turin "Strike" Papyrus
from year 29 which covers this event is not included here,[[3]]
O.Berlin 10633 (p. 416) reflects on that situation: "20 days have
elapsed in the month, and we have not been given grain-rations." Other
documents relating to this affair have been included in the addenda
volume.[[4]]

Also indicative of a crisis are the documents relating to the notorious
Harim Conspiracy against Ramesses III (pp. 297-305): the Turin
Juridical Papyrus, the Papyrus Lee-Rolin, and "Papyrus" Rifaud. The
king was apparently assassinated during his 32nd year by a group of
conspirators who supported Tiyi, one of the royal wives, and her son
Pentaweret regarding succession to the throne. A special court examined
all suspects, many of which were sentenced to death, mostly through
suicide. Others were mutilated, but only one person was acquitted after
a stern rebuke. These chilling texts might remind the reader of a
modern show tribunal: Each suspect is individually examined and
introduced as "The great criminal..." and every entry is closed with
the formula "they found him guilty, and they caused his punishment to
befall him."[[5]] The accused hardly appear as personalities, some of
them are not mentioned by their real names, or they were "renamed" to
carry an evil connation.

Like all volumes in the series, this book is basically a reference work
and not necessarily something one will read from cover to cover. Some
passages -- especially the religious texts from the temple walls on the
offerings to the gods or the management of the temple -- are certainly
more of interest to the student and scholar of ancient Egyptian
religion. Much closer to real life are the numerous documents -- mostly
ostraca -- from the people of Deir el-Medina (pp. 360-508), who worked
in the construction of the royal tombs and temples. They reflect,
however sober, the activities and concerns of these workers, be it the
simple transfer of a donkey or the attendance record at a given task.

KRI V covers most of the relevant texts of the early Twentieth Dynasty
but is by no means complete since the focus is primarily on
inscriptions (which includes ostraca) while only a few papyri are
added. Volume V of the translation series will, however, best be used
alongside its forthcoming companion in the annotation series. The
consultation of the latter will be vital for the understanding of most
of the texts. This goes for one phenomenon in particular: Ramesses III
saw a role model in his great predecessor and namesake Ramesses II from
whose temples he copied or adapted many elements, textual and visual.
The commentary will likely draw attention to these similarities. The
translation is largely reliable. The more initiated reader might
perhaps transliterate some individual names differently (Kitchen f.e.
uses "Usimare" instead of the more conventional "Usermaatre") for
Ramesses III.

Outside the Egyptological community the original KRI volumes may appear
as work with many seals. With his supplementary series Kitchen has made
these important sources accessible to a wider readership and he can
only be congratulated for his diligence, perseverance, and competence.

Table of Content:

Setnakht

Ramesses III
Foreign War
Works of Peace: Festivals of the Gods
Royal and Related Monuments - Dated series
Royal and Related Monuments - Geographical series
Western Asia
Delta
Upper Egypt
Thebes: East
Thebes: West
Southern Upper Egypt
Nubia
Miscellaneous and Minor Monuments
Addenda to Royal Monuments
Documents of the Reign (The Harim Conspiracy)
The Royal Family

Private Monuments of Contemporaries
A. Civil and Royal Administration
Category I: Viziers
Category II: Viceroys of Nubia
Category III: Other Officials in Nubia
Category IV: Chiefs of the Treasury and other Staff
Category VI: Mayors of Thebes
Category VIII: Steward of King and his Foundations
Category IX: Cupbearers and Court Functionaries
B. Army, Police, Building and Transport
Category XI: The Army
Category XIII: Transport
C. Temples, Priesthoods and Staff
Category XV: High Priests of Amun in Thebes
Category XVI: E. Thebes, Other Priests and Staff
Category XVII: W. Thebes, Priests and Officials
Category XVIII: High Priests of Ptah in Memphis
Category XIX: Memphis, Other Priests and Staff
Category XX: Priests of Re-Atum, Heliopolis
Category XXI: Heliopolis
Category XXII: Lower Egyptian Cults
Category XXIII: Abydos, High Priests and other Staff
Category XXIV: Thinis, High Priests and other Staff
Category XXVI: Middle Egypt and Upper Egypt
Category XXVII: Scholars; Physicians, Other Specialists
Category XXVIII: Life at Deir el-Medina
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Notes:


1.   K. A. Kitchen, The Ramesside Inscriptions, Oxford: Blackwell,
1969-1990.

2.   The four previous volumes cover: I: Ramesses I, Sethos I and
Contemporaries; II: Ramesses II, Royal Inscriptions; III: Ramesses II,
his Contemporaries; IV: Merenptah and the Late Nineteenth Dynasty.
Volume VI will deal with the reigns of Ramesses IV till Ramesses XI and
their contemporaries. Volume VII contains the addenda.

3.   The strike is aptly summarized by P. Vernus, Affairs and Scandals
in Ancient Egypt, Ithaca and London 2003, 54-61 and 171-177 (notes).

4.   E.g., O.Varille + O.IFAO 1550 = KRI VII, 301.

5.   For more details cf. the monograph by Susan Redford, The Harem
Conspiracy. The Murder of Ramesses III, DeKalb 2003.