DECREE OF USERTSEN III.

1. "The southern frontier in the eighth year under the "Majesty of • the King of the South and North, " ( Rfi-kha-kau ](i-e., Usertsen III.), giver of hfefor ever.

2. " No Black whatsoever shall be permitted to pass [this " place] going down stream, 3. " Whether travelling by the desert, or journeying in a " boat, with cattle, asses, and goats of various kinds " belonging to 4. " Blacks, with the exception of such as cometh to do " business in the country of Aqen, 5. " Or on an embassy. Such, however, shall be well " entreated in ever)- way whatsoever.

6. " No boats belonging to the Blacks shall in future be " permitted to pass down the river by the country of " Heh."

•' Eight years later Usertsen III. set up two inscribed stelae, one at Semna and one on the Island of Gazirat al-Malik, and from these we learn the views which he held about his conquest of Nubia, and the people whom he had brought into subjection. The text on each stele, with the exception of the first line, is the same, and the king's names and titles are the same, though arranged somewhat differently, but on one the inscription occupies nineteen lines, and on the other twenty-two. On the rounded portion we see the vault of heaven, in the centre of which is the solar disk, winged, and with pendent uraei, having symbols of eternity on their necks. On the right and left is written the name of the city Behutet, which indicates that the Winged Disk is the symbol of the great warrior-god Horus of Edfu. Below this are the titles of the king: i. The living Hawk (Horus). 2. The divine of origin. 3. Lord of the Vulture and Uraeus diadems.

Brugsch believed Aqen to be the Acina of Pliny, Bk. vi., chap. 35.

' Brugsch's version is as follows :—" Here is the southern frontier, which was " fixed in the eighth year under the reign of king Usurtasen III., the dispenser " of life for ever, in order that it may not be permitted to any negro to cross it, " with the exception of the ships which are laden with cattle, goats, and asses " belonging to the negroes, and except the negroes who come to trade by barter " in the land of Aken. To these, on the contrary, every favour shall be allowed.

" But otherwise it shall not be permitted to any vessel of the negroes to touch " at the land of Heh on its voyage nevermore."

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