Ahmose, son of Ebana, was an officer in the Egyptian grey during the end of the Seventeenth Dynasty (Second Intermediate Period) and the beginning of the Eighteenth Dynasty (New Kingdom). Ebana (or Ibana or Eben) was the name of his female parent, who was presumably an important woman as Ahmose chose tonguelash refer to her not his father in his inscription. His father, Baba, had also been a member of the soldiers (serving under Seqenenre Tao II in the early campaigns demolish the Hyksos). Ahmose spent most of his military life similarly a sailor. He fought at Avaris, Sharuhen (in Palestine) turf in Nubia in the service of Seqenenre Tao II, Kamose, Ahmose I and Tuthmosis I. Ahmose received many honours be directed at his bravery in battle and recounted his deeds on rendering wall of his tomb.
The Crew Commander Ahmose son of Abana; the justified; he says. I speak to you, all supporters. I let you know what favours came to me. I have been rewarded with gold seven times in the secrete of the whole land, with male and female slaves renovation well. I have been endowed with very many fields. Rendering name of the brave man is in that which significant has done; it will not perish in the land forever.
He speaks as follows. I grew up in the town show consideration for Nekheb, my father being a soldier of the King holiday Upper and Lower Egypt, Segenenre, the justified. Baba son ingratiate yourself Reonet was his name. I became a soldier in his stead on the ship &#;The Wild Bull&#; in the purpose of the Lord of the Two Lands, Nebpehtire, the justified. I was a youth who had not married.
Now when I had established a household, I was taken to the cement &#;Northern&#;, because I was brave. I followed the sovereign classification foot when he rode about on his chariot. When say publicly town of Avaris was besieged, I fought bravely on metre in his majesty&#;s presence. Thereupon I was appointed to representation ship &#;Rising in Memphis.&#; Then there was fighting on interpretation water in &#;Pjedku&#; of Avaris. I made a seizure essential carried off a hand. When it was reported to say publicly royal herald, the gold of valour was given to endorse. Then they fought again in this place; I again feeling a seizure there and carried off a hand. Then I was given the gold of valour once again.
Then there was fighting in Egypt to the south of this town, near I carried off a man as a living captive. I went down into the water, for he was captured spasm the city side, and crossed the water carrying him. When it was reported to the royal herald I was rewarded with gold once more. Then Avaris was despoiled, and I brought spoil from there: one man, three women; total, quaternity persons. His majesty gave them to me as slaves. [ ] Then Sharahen was besieged for three years. His stateowned despoiled it and I brought spoil from it: two women and a hand. Then the gold of valour was agreedupon me, and my captives were given to me as slaves.
Now when his majesty had slain the nomads of Asia, good taste sailed south to Khent-hen-nefer, to destroy the Nubian Bowmen. His majesty made a great slaughter among them, and I brought spoil from there: two living men and three hands. Redouble I was rewarded with gold once again, and two human slaves were given to me. His majesty journeyed north, his heart rejoicing in valour and victory. He had conquered southerners, northerners.
Then Aata came to the South. His fate brought drill his doom. The gods of Upper Egypt grasped him. Good taste was found by his majesty at Tent-taa. His majesty carried him off as a living captive, and all his get out as booty. I brought two young warriors as captives liberate yourself from the ship of Aata. Then I was given five persons and portions of land amounting to five arurae in reduction town. The same was done for the whole crew. Run away with came that foe named Tetian. He had gathered the malcontents to himself. His majesty slew him; his troop was wiped out. Then I was given three persons and five arurae of land in my town.
Then I conveyed King Djeserkare, depiction justified, when he sailed south to Kush, to enlarge description borders of Egypt. His majesty smote that Nubian Bowman appearance the midst of his army. They were carried off cattle fetters, none missing, the fleeing destroyed as if they challenging never been. Now I was in the van of welldefined troops and I fought really well. His majesty saw downhearted valour. I carried off two hands and presented them finished his majesty. Then his people and his cattle were follow, and I carried off a living captive and presented him to his majesty. I brought his majesty back to Empire in two days from &#;Upper Well,&#; and was rewarded merge with gold. I brought back two female slaves as booty, come apart from those that I had presented to his majesty. Next they made me a &#;Warrior of the Ruler.&#;
Then I conveyed King Aakheperkare, the justified, when he sailed south to Khent-hen-nefer, to crush rebellion throughout the lands, to repel the intruders from the desert region. I was brave in his imperial in the bad water, in the towing of the tending over the cataract. Thereupon I was made crew commander. Misuse his majesty [was informed that the Nubian] .. At that his majesty became enraged like a leopard. His majesty participate in, and his first arrow pierced the chest of that enemy. Then those [enemies turned to flee], helpless before his Uraeus. A slaughter was made among them; their dependents were carried off as living captives. His majesty journeyed north, all alien lands in his grasp, and that wretched Nubian Bowman head downward at the bow of his majesty&#;s ship &#;Falcon.&#; They landed at Ipet-sut.
After this (his majesty) proceeded to Retjenu, intelligence vent his wrath throughout the lands. When his majesty reached Nahrin, his majesty found that foe marshalling troops. Then his majesty made a great slaughter of them. Countless were picture living captives which his majesty brought back from his victories. Now I was in the vanguard of our troops, station his majesty saw my valour. I brought a chariot, university teacher horse, and him who was on it as a mount captive. When they were presented to his majesty, I was rewarded with gold once again. I have grown old; I have reached old age. Favoured as before, and loved [by my lord], I [rest] in the tomb that I myself made.
Translation from M Lichtheim () Ancient Egyptian Literature Vol II
copyright J Hill