AMASIS I.

then, having collected a large amount of Sudan produce, he returned " in peace " to Egypt. We may note in passing that the only people of Nubia mentioned by Amasis are the Anti ' and the Kensetiu, the former probably referring to the wild and lawless desert tribes whose homes were in the hills and mountainous districts at some distance from the river banks, and the latter to the inhabitants who dwelt on and near the Nile itself. It was, obviously, necessary to bring the desert tribes into subjection, for otherwise the Government caravans could not travel from Nubia into Egypt in safety.

Soon after Amasis I. returned to Egypt, a serious revolt broke out in the south, and the people rose, and headed by a leader, to whom the Egyptians gave the name of " Aata," i.e., "Filthy one," or " Plague," or " Fever," -marched towards Egypt, and "laid waste the shrines of the gods of the South." What these words mean exactly it is hard to say, but they seem to indicate that the Nubians, driven to desperation by the recent invasion of their country by the Egyptians, and stirred up by a brave and fanatical leader, who mixed religion with his politics and tried to persuade his followers that he was preaching a religious war, advanced to places like Semna, Kumma, Gazirat al-Malik, Ma'atuka, and Behen, and overthrew the temples which had been built by the kings of the Xllth Dynasty, and broke the statues of the gods. Against this rebel Amasis I. marched, accompanied by his generals, Amasis the son of Baba, and Amasis the son of Pen-nekheb, and they succeeded in catching him alive on the Nile at a place called Thent-taa. Amasis the captain, and each member of his crew who took part in his capture, received five heads as the reward of his bravery, and a grant of land in his native city. What was done with Aata is not said. Soon after this, our narrator tells us, " there rose up a vile one, whose name " was Tetaan, and he gathered unto him a number of runagates " and rebels, but His Majesty smote him and his companions so " sorely that they could never again rise up," The slaughter of the rebel and his companions no doubt put an end to the On this name see the remarks of Mliller, Asien, pp. 21, 22.

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