The Merneptah Stelle
Cairo 3205, the so called "Israel Stelle". Most likely the first recorded use of the phoenetic word "Israel", referring to residents of Canaan in 1200 BC. However Israel is a footnote to the core focus, a victory over Libya. Taten is the god of Memphis, an aspect of Ptah. Marai is the name given to the Libyan insurgent leader. These events occured after 70 years of peace innaugurated by Rameses the Great's triumphs. The specific date given is not of any of the events, but the date at which this statement was carved or composed. ‘Stelle’ or ‘slabs’ such as this were the usual method of disseminating state proclamations, with multiple duplicates, a function also served by the Rosetta series of stellae.
Year 5 ( 1207 BC ), the months and days, during the rule of Horus. A mighty bull, satisfied with fate, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt United, the son of the Sun, Merneptah magnified by the strength of Horus, a bull who destroyed the nine tribes, his legacy is now eternal, his victories known in all lands. The King of Upper and Lower Egypt United, the servant of Amun, the son of the Sun, Merneptah, satisfied with fate.
He is the lord of strength who kills his enemies, briliant on the battlefield, like the Sky who pushed out the clouds over Egypt, allowing her to see the sunlight, removing the yoke of copper from the peoples necks, giving hope to the beseiged. He led Memphis to triumph against the invaders, Taten triumphing over his enemies, opener of the Memphis gates that were barred, lord of temple money allotments, the King of Egypt United, servant of Amun, the son of the Son, Merneptah.
The single support for hundreds of thousands of hearts, his rise is their breath, who during his lifetime destroyed Syria, spread terror among the Turks, and pushed the Libyans out of Egypt, leaving them shivering with fear. Their commanders were deserted, their soldiers ran only in retreat, their archers dropping their bows, misery wearing down their will, ditching their empty canteens, their backpacks untied on the ground.
The vile leader of these Libyans fled alone in the night, without uniform, barefoot, his wives kidnapped, his food stolen, without even a cup of water. His brothers were determined to kill him, his officers fought among themselves, their matériel wasted, burnt to ash, his property stolen by his own soldiers. When he reached his homeland he was grieving, the survivors of his administration rejected him, "A cursed blackguard of a leader" everyone said, including friends. "He is the toy of the gods and the lords of Memphis, the king of Egypt has destroyed his reputation." Marai the monster of Memphis, his children are cursed forever. But the servant of Amun will outlive his children, "Merneptah, satisfied with fate" is what everyone calls him. The elders tell the youngsters, victories like this have not been accomplished since creation. Woe to Libya, they have rejected the good way of open grazing and in a single day they tripped, in a single year they were obliterated. Seth had abandoned their leader, their villages are flattened with no reconstruction, the survivors now living in caves.
The Lord of Egypt is out in full strength, who will stand to face his approach? Only the stupid fool who throws away his future. As for Egypt, they say she is the only daughter of Dawn, her son sitting on the throne of the Sky. None who attack the children of the daughter of Dawn will triumph. Every god is alert for her molesters, raining vengeance on them, so say the star watchers, who learn their magic from the emanations. A miracle has occured in Egypt, her enemies were placed in her hands, by following the laws of nature, defeating the enemies of Dawn.
Marai secretly undermined all the gods in Memphis. He was tolerated in Heliopolis, but the Council of the Gods found him guilty. The Lord of All said, "Pass the sword to my son, right hearted and kind Merneptah, caretaker of Memphis, rebuker of Heliopolis, who frees the imprisoned, endows the temples, cleanses the sanctuaries, steals nothing from the nobility, evicts no one from their farms.
Then the lords of Heliopolis defended their city, saying to Merneptah satisfied with fate, "Give us equality like the Sun, shining on the wretched of all lands, we have been gifted a portion of Egypt, and the Sun has promised to shine forever for everyone. When one lives in the era of the gods the breath of life is light, bravery brings sucess to the just, and the thief can't keep his treasure. A man who steals has his wealth stolen, his children left penniless. Like Marai, the vile leader of Libya, who attacked Taten's city, brother of the son of the Sun.”
Then Ptah laid judgement on Marai, "His crimes are piled on top of his head, give him to Merneptah, who defers to fate, he will evicerate him like a fat crocodile. The quick will catch the quick, the lord who knows his limits will triumph. Amun will sweep him aside, delivering his soul to a pit in Heliopolis, by the King of Egypt United, the servant of Amun, the son of the Sun, Merneptah, content with fate."
Egypt rejoices, every town is cheering, talking about the Libyan victories of Merneptah, content with fate, "He is loved, the triumphant king! An equal of the gods, making the perfect decisions while we sit and talk. The roads are open and safe, the public free of fear, castles uninvaded, the wells open to the public, the borders uneventful, the guards woken only by the noon Sun. The Nubians still sleep, the Palestinians and Burburs are content with shepherding, the grazing ranges open and free, sharing water with the farmers, with no yelling at night. "Hello, I'm here" say strangers, and are greeted with singing. No one mourns, towns are civilized again, the farmers own their farms. Ra shines on Egypt, the son is the heir, the King of Egypt United, Merneptah satisfied with fate.
The rabbis are prostrate chanting "Shalom", every one of the nine tribes bowing down, Syria is destroyed, Turkey is pacified, Canaan struck with woe. Ashkelon is defeated, Gaza taken, Yanoam erased from the earth. Israel is wasted, infertile, Lebanon widowed by Egypt.
All the invaders have been subdued by the King of Egypt United, the servant of Amun, the son of the Sun, satisfied with fate, rising every day alongside his father.
