Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Siptah und Beja

2003; De Gruyter; Volume: 130; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1524/zaes.2003.130.1.134

2196-713X

Thomas Schneider,

Ancient Near East History

The article aims at reconsidering one central assumptions concerning end of 19th dynasty due to which it is great treasurer Beja who hides up behind enigmatic figure of usurper Arsu in Great Papyrus Harris. It argues that while there is no indication of a foreign origin of Beja, note in Papyrus Harris is to be correctly understood as the one who reigned six years. This would indeed corroborate thesis of an identity of Arsu and king Siptah put forward in 1950s by W. Helck and J. von Beckerath. In favor of a possible Palestinian origin of king could be adduced relief Louvre E. 26901 which mentions ancient Canaanite name Soteraja (The god NN) is registering (the child) of a mother of a prince Ramses-Siptah. Ascribing this relief to future king Siptah is, however, uncertain. The second part of study offers a new historical sketch of late 19th dynasty that assigns to presence of a prince Seti-Merenptah (II) shown in barque sanctuary of Seti II key role for correctly understanding important contemporary events such as Siptah's ascending to throne, his change of titulary, conflict with Beja, and Tewosre's regency. This prince's early burial (may be in 'Gold Tomb', KV 56) could be recorded in much debated O. CG 25792.