Granite lid of the sarcophagus of
Setjau
From Thebes, Egypt
19th
Dynasty, around 1230 BC
Viceroy of Nubia in the reign of Ramesses
II
Setjau was the viceroy of Nubia in the reign of
Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC). The Ramesside period saw Egypt
expanding once again into the lands to the south (Nubia or Kush).
Several large settlements (such as the towns of Amada and
Dabenarti) first emerged in this period. It is clear that the
office of the viceroy of Nubia was a very important position at
this time, overseeing Egypt's access to the wealth of these
lands. At the end of the Twentieth Dynasty (about 1186-1069 BC),
another viceroy, Panehsy, actually used his position to challenge
for complete control of Upper
Egypt.
Setjau left his name
on a considerable number of monuments. This
sarcophagus
probably came from his tomb at Thebes (number 289). Red granite was
commonly used in Thebes for the sarcophagi of high
officials.
The front and
sides are inscribed with
hieroglyphic
texts. These consist of wishes expressed by Setjau, and spells
spoken by various gods for his well-being. Setjau holds the
hieroglyphs for 'protection' and
'stability'; the latter is also a symbol of the god
Osiris.
The
British Museum has a sarcophagus of Merymose, another viceroy, in
the reign of Amenhotep III.
M.L. Bierbrier (ed.), Hieroglyphic texts from Egyp-6, Part 10 (London, The British Museum Press, 1982)