‘‘The Triumph Scene and Text of Merenptah at Karnak’’

The triumph scenes of the pharaohs are the longest-lasting and best-attested iconographic motif of Egyptian culture. As stated by many historians and Egyptologists, they are a purely formal representation of Pharaoh’s timeless role as victor for Egypt and its gods, as also confirmed here. The triumph scenes of the Ramesside warrior pharaohs in which the king is represented smiting different groups of northern and southern enemies with his mace and in the presence of Amun-Re were usually displayed to glorify their victories. The triumph scene and text of Merenptah, which is located at the south end of the inner face of the eastern wall of the “Cour de la Cachette” at Karnak temple, is one of the most significant and important historical sources for Merenptah’s reign; it sheds light on new aspects of his military events and campaigns in Asia and Nubia. Some recent Egyptological studies dealing with the historical texts and battle reliefs of Merenptah in Karnak and elsewhere provide valuable information that could allow a different historical reading and interpretation of the Karnak triumph scene and text. This paper presents a new study of the triumph scene and text of Merenptah at Karnak in light of this context.