In order to show the general reader the variety allowable in Egyptian names and dynasties, as well as chronology, we will append a few examples:
According to one writer on Egypt, it was Amenophis who was lost in the Red Sea. According to another, it was Thothmes III.; to another, Thothmes IV.; and to still another, Amos I.; and to another, Osis!
Amuthosis is called by Kenrick (ii. p. 154), Misphragmuthosis. Thothmes is also called Thothmeses and other variations. Osiris has many titles and many legends, but we have adopted the popular one in Egypt.
Sesostris is called Ositasen, Osokron, Remeses, and other names, according to the interpretation of his cartouches, and other inscriptions.
The pyramid of Chephren is called also Chafre, Chephres, Cephren, and other designations, while Cheops has half a dozen appellations. A writer, therefore, who seeks to present an intelligible view of the manners, customs, religion, and polity of the ancient Egyptians must decide what authority and what path he will follow; and having chosen each, he should pursue it undeviatingly to its close. This we have tried to do; and while those who might have selected a different one may, perhaps, not coincide with our judgment, they will at least have the candor to acknowledge that we are as much entitled, as scholars, to respect in the choice we have made, as if we had made one in harmony with their own peculiar views.
The question of "dynasty" has presented singular difficulties; but we have mainly followed Nolan and Seyffarth, leaving their guidance, however, when, our own judgment dictated a deviation from their views. When some chronologers of the highest character place the birth of Moses 1572, B. C. (vide Nolan), others 1947 (vide Seyffarth), others 2100 years, others 1460, it is necessary that a writer, whose book requires a fixed date, should make a decision. We have, after careful consideration of the whole ground, adopted the era which we believe to be the true one. The confusion attending the adjustment of the Pharaoic dynasties to their true time, is well known to scholars and admitted by all except those who have advanced figures of their own, and expect Egyptian Chronology henceforth to be construed by them alone. Nolan (vide Book IV., Sect. iv.), has presented to our minds the clearest exposition of the question; and we have followed, very closely, his table of the dynasty of the Pharaohs between the eras of Joseph and the Exodus.
The Biblical scholar need not be informed that Moses was forty years of age before he interested himself openly in the Hebrews. Egyptian history (see Nolan) shows that in his thirty-fifth year, the queen-mother, Pharaoh's daughter, died, and was succeeded by Mœris; and as the Scriptures are silent, as to the occupation and place of Moses in the interval, we are justifiable in placing him out of Egypt, during the six years that followed, as we have done.
We desire here to acknowledge our indebtedness to the following authors, whose works, either directly or indirectly, we have consulted, and from which we have made use of such parts as served our purpose; and not wishing to burden our pages with notes and references, we here make our grateful acknowledgments to them, and recognition of their works:
- G. Seyffarth, A. M., Ph. D., D. D., seriatim, especially, "Observationes Egyptiorum Astronomicæ, et Hireroglyphice descriptæ in Zodiaco," &c., &c.—Leipz.
- "The Egyptian Chronology Analyzed;" by Frederick Nolan, LL. D., F. R. S.—London.
- "The Monuments of Egypt and Voyage up the Nile;" edited by Francis L. Hawks, D. D., LL. D.
- "Ancient Egypt under the Pharaohs;" by John Kenrick, M. A. A work which presents at one view the most complete illustrations of Egypt extant.
- To Sir Gardiner Wilkinson, D. C. L., F. R. S., &c., the writer is indebted for much information respecting details of art, society, and customs.
- "The Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation;" edited by Professor C. E. Stowe, D. D., by an anonymous author.
- Dr. Max Uhlemann's writings on Egyptian antiquities.
- Rt. Rev. Bishop Wainwright's "Land of Bondage."
- Mills' "Ancient Hebrews."
- Lepsius' "Discoveries in Egypt, Ethiopia," &c., and this eminent author's other valuable writings upon Egyptian archæology and antiquities.
- Stanley's "Sinai and Palestine."
- Hengstenberg's "Egypt and the Books of Moses Illustrated by the Monuments of Egypt."
- Col. Howard Vise on the Pyramids.
- J. A. St. John's "Egypt and Nubia;" London, 1845.
- "Antiquities of Egypt;" London, Rel. Tr. Soc., 1841.
- Rossellini's works.
- Burton's "Excerpts Hierogl."
- J. C. Nott, M. D., Mobile, to whose courtesy the author is indebted for several valuable works illustrating ancient Egypt.
- Von Bohlen (Petrus).
- Birou, Roy-Soc. Lit.
- "Description de l'Egypte," pendant l'Expédition de l'Armée Française, 1826.
- Lesueur, "Chron. des Rois d'Egypte."
- Dr. Robinson's very valuable researches.
- Bunsen's "Egypten" and other writings, seriatim.
- "Denon's Voyage."
- Herodotus, Socrates, Diodorus, Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy, Eratosthenes, Plutarch, and other Greek and classic authors who have written upon Egypt, have been made use of by the author as sources of information, and adopted as authorities so far as subsequent monumental revelations have not lessened the weight of their testimony.
- We are also under obligations to Professor Henry S. Osborn, for the aid afforded in the Phœnician portion of our book, by his recently published work, "Palestine, Past and Present," with "Biblical, Literary, and Scientific Notes;" one of the most valuable and interesting books of travel and research which has appeared for many years, on the East: Challen & Son, Phil., 1859.
Besides the above, we have availed ourselves of numerous sources of information accessible to the Egyptian student, to enumerate which would extend this note to a catalogue.