THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN rebellion ; at all events we hear nothing more of expeditions to the Sudan in the reign of Amasis I, After the death of Amasis I. Egypt was ruled by his widow, Queen Aahmes-nefert-ari and her son Amen-hetep I. Soon after his mother died, Amen-hetep I. decided to go to Nubia "to enlarge the borders of Egypt," a euphemism probably for " making a. razzia.'' He put himself in the hands of his father's old officers, Amasis the son of Baba, and Amasis the son of Pen-Nekheb, and the former says in his inscription, " I conveyed by " boat up the river the king of the South and North, Amen-tietep " (I.), when he sailed up the Nile to Kesh (Cush), to enlarge the " borders of Egypt. His Majesty took captive the chief of the " Anti of Kenset when he was among his soldiers, for they were " caught in an ambush and could not escape, and they were " scattered, and could make no further resistance. And, behold, " I was the captain of our soldiers, and I fought with all my " might, -and the king observed my valour. I brought in two " hands and carried them to His Majesty, whilst he was searching "for his (i.e., the rebel's) men (i.e., slaves) and his cattle, and I " rose up and captured a man alive and brought him into His " Majesty's presence." The mention of men and cattle suggests that Amen-hetep I. had reached some part of the Sudan where slaves and good catt.e abounded, and we naturally think of the region south of Khartum. Within the last few years large numbers of fine cattle have been brought down to Khartum, and despatched by train to Haifa, and thence by boat into Egypt ; the district occupied by the Bakkara (i.e., "cattle-keepers ") was then, ns now, famous for its cattle, which have been much appreciated in Egypt in all periods. How far Amen-hetep I.

penetrated into the Sudan is uncertain, but his name occurs on a wooden tablet, which is said to have been discovered at Meroii,* and if this be so, it shows that this king emulated the example of Usertsen HI., who marched all over the Egyptian Sudan.

' See C. Gazzera, Descrizionedei Monumenti Egiziidel Regio Museo a Torino, contenenti leggende rea/i, Turin, 1824. Plate i., No 8.

- In Signer Gazzera's drawing we see the king's cai touches mounted on the symbol of the union of the Two Countries. On each side of these is a palm branch standing in the symbol for " eternity." (British Museum, press mark 7703 aa 23).

564 ,1 i