Sarenput II.

Sarenput II in hieroglyphics
Sarenput S3 rnpwt son of the years
Nub-kau-Re-night Nbw-k3.w-Rˁ-nḫt Nub-kau-Re is strong

Sarenput II was a mayor and chief priest in the southernmost city of Egypt , in Elephantine . He officiated under King ( Pharaoh ) Sesostris II. (Approx. 1882 to around 1872 BC), possibly also under Sesostris III. (around 1872 to around 1852 BC) and had the second name Nub-kau-Re-nacht ( Nub-kau-Re is strong ). Nub-kau-Re (Nebu-kau-Re) is the throne name of Amenemhet II , under whom Sarenput was apparently born or put into office. He was the son of his predecessor, Chema. His mother's name was Satethetep and is depicted in his tomb.

Sarenput II is known from two groups of monuments. In the Qubbet el-Hawa he had a large rock grave and in the sanctuary of Heqaib on Elephantine he built a small shrine .

Rock tomb in the Qubbet el-Hawa

Sarenput II (left) with son Anchu (right); Scene on the back wall of the niche.

His rock grave (No. 31) in the necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa near Aswan is one of the best preserved in the burial site. The complex initially consists of an external forecourt carved into the rock, on which the horizontal layers of red sandstone that determine the appearance of the interior vault design are already clear. The largely symmetrical northwest-southeast orientation of the grave emphasizes the representation of Sarenput II, which is visible from the entrance. ' in a niche at the back of the grave.

A short corridor leads from the forecourt into an undecorated hall supported by six pillars. After a nine-step ramp you enter a vaulted corridor, which is flanked on both sides by three life-size mummy-shaped figures. The figures represent Sarenput II either unadorned in white with a black face or in regalia with the reddish skin color of living people and with the titles of governor. The walls between the niches are decorated with everyday scenes of the deceased. A second, smaller hall with four columns adjoins the corridor, the sides of which face the center aisle with texts about the offices and priestly functions and, underneath, an image of Sarenput II. ' are provided. An undecorated side chamber adjoins the small columned hall on the left and right.

At the far end of the hall a false door leads into a niche-like chapel, the apparent highlight of the grave. From the depth of detail in the elaboration and the richness of color in the representations and hieroglyphic texts, it is easy to see that Sarenput II placed the creative and ceremonial focus on this part of the grave. The painting is well preserved and shows the office holder sitting on a chair on the back wall while he reaches out his hand to a set offering table. On the other side of the table, his son Anchu kneels and gives his father a lotus flower as a gift as a symbol of fertility. In the texts above the scene, Sarenput II had his second name Nebkaurenacht written in the cartouche form of Egyptian kings, possibly underlining his influence.

Shrine in the Heqaib sanctuary

The shrine in the sanctuary of Heqaib is dated to the 4th year of the reign of Sesostris II and contained a statue of Sarenput II. He also donated a statue with a shrine for his father in the sanctuary. In the British Museum there is a stele that was made under Sesostris III. dated and names the mayor Nub-kau-Re-Nacht, i.e. probably Sarenput II. Sarenput II is the last mayor of Elephantine with a large, extensively decorated rock grave. It is uncertain whether his son Anchu, who is named in his father's grave, succeeded him as mayor in office.

literature

• Detlef Franke : The sanctuary of the Heqaib on Elephantine. History of a provincial shrine in the Middle Kingdom (= studies on the archeology and history of ancient Egypt. Volume 9). Heidelberger Orientverlag, Heidelberg 1994, ISBN 3-927552-17-8 , pp. 37-39.

Web links

Commons : Tomb of Sarenput II  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• The grave of Sarenput II.

predecessor	Office	successor
Chema	Mayor of Elephantine under Sesostris III.	Heqaib II.