208: Ramesses II The Oracle and the Sphinx

NEBWENENEF THE PRIEST

In regnal year 1, the third month of Akhet (flood season), Ramesses II promoted a new High Priest for the god Amun. This was an important job, responsible for the offerings and well-being of Amun’s image (at Karnak), but also for the people, the land, and the economic assets attached to Amun’s sanctuary. Whomever Ramesses chose would become one of the most powerful individuals in the southern city. 

We have a surprisingly detailed account of who Ramesses appointed, and how he made his decision. It happened at Waset, in the first year of the reign; and it involved a careful selection process.

The story comes to us from the man Ramesses appointed, a man named name Neb-wen-en-ef. Nebwenenef left a tomb, in the hills west of Luxor (TT157), and in that tomb he recorded his biography. Including the day Ramesses appointed him to power.

Before his promotion, Nebwenenef was a high-ranking priest in the Abdju region. His early jobs were (quote) First Priest of Anhur (or Onuris), an ancient god of war and hunting. He was also First Priest of Hat-Hor, Lady of Iunet. So, he was responsible for offerings and business in Dendera, the famous town that now hosts Hathor’s magnificent temple. Finally, Nebwenenef was (quote) Overseer of all Priests, of all gods, as far south as Heri-Her-Amun (an unknown location) and as far north as Tjeni (or Thinis). That mouthful of a title seems to be a kind of “human resources” job. Nebwenenef was the manager of temple personnel, in this part of the country. So, he was a prominent person, with a lot of experience managing organisations.

Notably, none of his titles reference Abdju (Abydos) or the great god Usir (Osiris). So, the temples of that city were apparently separate from the other local facilities. Perhaps Abdju was too important, its temples too large and wealthy. Either way, Nebwenenef was part of a regional administration; but not the temple at Abdju.

We don’t know where Nebwenenef was when he received the call to power. But on the walls of his tomb, he describes the event with great relish and pride:

“Year 1, III Axt [Day lost], when His Person sailed … from the Southern City (Waset), having done that which pleased his father, Amun-Ra… and Mut, the mighty, Lady of Isheru… and Khonsu, the good and gracious… and the Ennead of the Gods which is in Waset… in the beautiful Festival of (Opet). One returned from there with favour, when favour had been received on behalf of the LPH of the ruler… 

(The King) made a landing in the Tjeni province, and… Nebwenenef… was brought in before His Person…

“Then (pharaoh) said to Nebwenenef, quote: ‘You are now First Priest of Amun! His treasury and his granary are under your seal. You are chief director of his temple and every foundation (property) of his is under your authority. 

“Then the courtiers and the Council of Thirty together acclaimed the goodness of His Person, giving praise multiple times in the presence of this good god…”

End-quote.

Oh, Nebwenenef was proud. From semi-humble beginnings, he was entering the big leagues. Management of Karnak, and all the agricultural land, workshops, villages, and people attached to that institution. At a stroke, Ramesses had elevated this priest / manager to the highest ranks of Egyptian society. You can see why he records it such detail.

Naturally, the text carries on with abundant praise of Ramesses for his wisdom. I won’t bore you with the accolades, suffice to say that Nebwenenef was extremely grateful to his monarch. What’s more interesting is how he got the job. Nebwenenef describes the situation confronting Ramesses, and how he made his decision.

THE ORACLE OF AMUN

It involved a divine oracle: “(Ramesses said to Nebwenenef): ‘Behold, as Ra lives for me… and as my father Amun favours me, I (the King) set out the entire court, and the chief commander of the soldiers, before (Amun). The priests and noble ones of (Amun’s) house entered his presence repeatedly. But (Amun) was not satisfied with any of them, until I mentioned your name to him. 

So, serve (the god) well, because he has desired you (Nebwenenef)! I know that you are efficient. Do even more and then his (Amun’s) Ka-spirit will favour you, and mine will as well! He (Amun) will cause you to live at the head of his Estate, and he will grant you old age within it, and he will bring you to port in the soil of his city (when you die).’”

Now here is something unusual and intriguing. According to Nebwenenef, Ramesses chose his high priest via oracle. He brought the court, including high-ranking priests, army commanders, and various courtiers, into the presence of Amun. And by some mechanism, the god indicated that he was not happy with those candidates. But then, Ramesses suggested Nebwenenef, and Amun gave his assent. 

As our story unfolds, we’re going to hear more and more about divine oracles. In the days of Ramesses, and after, such oracles become more and more visible in the written record. Whether that reflects an increase in oracle consultation, or simply better preservation, is a discussion for another day. But the tale of Nebwenenef, in Year 1 of Ramesses, is an excellent example of a growing phenomenon.

Based on the ancient sources, there were a couple ways an oracle could occur. One way involved drawing lots: writing down the possible answers on different pieces of paper, or shards of pottery, then putting them in a bag; the god (or the priest) reached in and drew a piece out, and that was the answer the god wished. Another version was walking. The candidates for a job would stand in a line or circle. The priests would bring the god out of its shrine, carried on their shoulders. They would walk around the group, and wherever the god stopped, that person was the choice. Finally, there was the “speaking statue” method: someone would bring their question to the god, either saying it out loud, or writing down the possible answers on pottery, and placing them around the statue. Then, the god would speak its answer or move towards the proper choice. 

It sounds like Ramesses used option 2 or 3, in his consultation. Nebwenenef describes the King “setting out” the candidates. That could mean they gathered physically, or the pharaoh wrote their names on papyrus and placed them before the god; or he simply spoke each name in turn and waited for Amun’s answer. 

Either way, it sounds as though Nebwenenef was absent when this happened. He specifically says that Amun was glad when Ramesses spoke Nebwenenef’s name. This “election in absentia” might suggest that Ramesses was communing, privately, with the deity; telling Amun the candidates and receiving answers in turn. Alas, because Nebwenenef was absent the oracle itself is slightly vague. Perhaps he didn’t care to check too closely. The answer was good, and he was glad to have it.

So, the King summoned Nebwenenef to Abdju, and gave him the good news of his promotion. Soon after, the priest would set sail upriver, following the breeze up to the southern city (Waset). There, he would take up residence in the city, perhaps at Karnak itself, and begin his new job. We’ll see him again.