Ahmose, Son of Ebana: The Autobiography of a Naval Officer

Ahmose, son of Ebana, in his rock tomb at el-Kab

Reproduction of a tomb painting from the Tomb of Ahmose in el-Kab

Reproduction Details

Object Type: Wall painting

Materials: Limestone, plaster, pigment

Date: c. 1550–1525 BC

Period: 17th-18th Dynasty, Second Intermediate Period-New Kingdom

Findspot: Tomb of Ahmose, el-Kab

Print Reference: DP122 - Ahmose, Son of Ebana

About the Artwork

My reproduction depicts a wall painting from the tomb of Ahmose, son of Ebana, at Elkab (c. 1550–1525 BC, early Dynasty 18). Ahmose was a distinguished naval officer who served under Seqenenre Tao, Kamose, and Ahmose I, and whose career spanned the wars that expelled the Hyksos and secured Egypt’s reunification.

The hieroglyphic biography of Ahmose, son of Ebana, in his rock tomb at ancient Necheb (el-Kab)

On the walls of his modest cliff-cut tomb, he recorded one of the most detailed first-person military autobiographies known from ancient Egypt. The text not only recounts his bravery in battle and the rewards he received but also provides invaluable historical evidence for Egypt’s military and political transformation at the dawn of the New Kingdom.

In this scene, Ahmose is shown in large scale, the traditional marker of his status and authority. At his feet, rendered in smaller scale, is his grandson Pahery, a scribe of Amun, who was responsible for overseeing the decoration of his grandfather’s tomb (dedicated in the blue hieroglyphics). The (gold) hieroglyphic columns visible here contain the opening lines of Ahmose’s autobiography, which situate him firmly within the service of the Theban kings and the divine order they embodied.

Translation

Pahery's Dedication (Blue Hieroglyphics)

(1) It is the son of his daughter who directed the work (2) in this tomb, being the one who causes to live the name of the father of his mother (3) scribe of forms of Amun, Pahery, justified.

Ahmose's Autobiography (Gold Hieroglyphics)

(1) Naval commander Ahmose, son of Ebana, justified, (2) says: "I speak to you, all people. I will let you know the favours that were granted to me. I have been rewarded with gold seven times..."

The autobiography continues over 66 columns in which Ahmose describes his military career, highlighting significant battles and the honours he received. Read the full translation here.

Further Reading

• Davies, W. V. (2009). The tomb of Ahmose Son-of-Ibana at Elkab. Documenting the family and other observations. Elkab and Beyond. Studies in Honour of Luc Limme, W. Claes, H. De Meulenaere, and S. Hendrickx (Eds).

• Sethe, K. (1927). Urkunden der 18. Dynastie. Volume I. Hinrichs, Leipzig.