ABSTRACT
THE two texts which are the subject of this article form part of the frieze-decoration on the exterior of the east and west walls of the Outer Hypostyle Hall of the temple of Horus at Edfu,a Text I being on the west, and Text lIon the east, wall.b Published as long ago as 1929 in Chassinat, Le Temple d'Edfou,e IV, 330-1, they have never, so far as we are aware, been translated or commented upon. In fact, despite their interesting content, they seem to have entirely escaped the notice of scholars, apart from a reference by usd to the significant words ~'--"~i~, 'Opening the Mouth of Throneof-the-Protector-of-his-Father' (i.e. of Edfu temple), in Text II. Recognizing their important bearing on at least one Egyptian belief, we have long been anxious to remedy this neglect, and we hope that the following study of the two texts will be of some value, not only to students of the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians, but to scholars working in the wider field of comparative religion.
