Illustration
This stela shows two symmetrical scenes. On the left, we see a priest offers incense to a barque carrying a statue of "Khonsou-Spellcaster-of-Thebes-and-Chaser-of-Demons". On the right, Ramesses II presents incense to a similar barque named "Khonsou-in-Thebes-Neferhotep".
The inscription beneath tells the tale of how Ramesses II saves his sister in law, Bentrech, princess of Bakhtan, from sickness. He does so by sending her the statue of Khonsou the demon-chaser. Bakhtan corresponds to the Hittite lands. This story mentions the Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty and the marriage of Ramesses II with a daughter of Hattusili II.
This work dates to the 21st dynasty, probably during the reign of Herihor (1073-1064 BCE). Thus this stela tells a tale of the past.
Karnak, Egypt, 21st Dynasty. Paris, Musee du Louvre, C 284.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Crabben, J. v. d. (2019, August 16). Bakhtan Stela. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11065/bakhtan-stela/
Chicago Style
Crabben, Jan van der. "Bakhtan Stela." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified August 16, 2019. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11065/bakhtan-stela/.
MLA Style
Crabben, Jan van der. "Bakhtan Stela." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 16 Aug 2019. Web. 22 Feb 2025.
