on 
60 Egyptian Obelisk. 
EGYPTIAN OBELISK. 
The Journal des Debats gives the following as the version of 
the inscription on the Egyptian Obelisk lately brought from the 
Island of Philz to this country by Mr. Banks. The translator, 
M. Letronne, says that it contains a Petition from the Priests 
of Isis, in the Island of Phil, to Ptolomeus Euergetus the 
Second : 
“To the King Ptolomeus; to the Queen Cleopatra, his sis- 
ter*; to the Queen Cleopatra, his wifet; the gods of Euer- 
getus, greeting: 
“© We the Priests of Isis, who is adored in the Abatum ft and 
at Phil, the most mighty goddess. Considering that the Stra- 
tegists ||, the Epistatists §, the Thebarchons4, the Royal Regis- 
trars, the Commanders of the troops guarding the frontiers, and 
all others of the King’s Officers, who come to Phile; in skort, 
that the troops which accompany them, and the whole of their 
suite, compel us to furnish them with abundant supplies belong- 
ing to the Temple ; the consequence of whichis, that the Temple . 
is impoverished, and we run the risk of not having means to de- 
fray the regular and fixed expenses, caused by the ceremonies 
and libations, the object of which is the preservation of yourselves 
and your children. We supplicate vou, most powerful gods, to 
authorize your kinsman ** and epistolographist ++ Numenius, 
to write to Lorchus, also your kinsman, and the Strategist of the 
Thebaid, enjoining him not to practise such vexations with re- 
gard to us, nor to permit any persons whomsoever to do so; to 
grant us, moreover, letters testifying your decision on this sub- 
ject, and granting us permission to erect a Stele tf, on which 
we will inscribe the beneficence you have displayed to us on this 
occasion, in order that this Stele may transmit to the remotest 
posterity the eternal memory of the favours you have granted us. 
This being permitted us, we shall be, we and the Temple of 
Isis, in this, as in all other things, your grateful servants. May 
you be ever happy.” 
* Widow and sister of Ptolomzus Philometor, afterwards wife of Ptolo- 
meus Euergetus, and repudiated by him. 
+ Daughter of the other Cleopatra, and of Ptolomzus Philometor; after- 
wards the wife of Ptolomzeus Euergetus, her uncle. 
+ An island near Philz, consecrated to Isis. 
|| Governors of the Provinces of Egypt. 
§ Officers whose functions are not known. 
“| Governors of the whole of the Thebaid. 
** An honorary title, similar to that of ‘‘Our Cousin,” by which the 
King addresses the chief dignitaries. tft Secretary of State. 
t{ The word signifies the obelisk itself, on the base of which the Greek 
inscription is found. 
» . Ac- 
