western Semna is the site of one of the Nubian fortresses established by the Pharaon S to defend their southernmost border and to control trade route which passed by the the Nile since the Sudan and the Africa.

The fortress of western Semna formed, with the two other fortresses of southern Semna and Kouma, a barrier making it possible to control the sea traffic between the second and the third cataract.

Its name was " Khâkaourê is powerful ".

The site was discovered in 1813 by the explorer Burckhardt and was studied of 1924 to 1928 by the Egyptologist Andrew Reisner.

Description of the fortress

The strong first was built by Amenemhat {{Ier}} then considerably increases by Sésostris {{III}} becoming one of most imposing of Nubie. Its plan in L was composed of broad seven meters thicknesses walls preceded by Glacis. The city, located inside the fort, was divided into two by a long avenue. It comprised its temple which was set up out of bricks by Thoutmosis {{modified Ier}} then and increases by Thoutmosis {{III}} then Taharqa.

The two steles borders of Sésostris

The texts observers on these steles were regarded at the beginning of the 20th century as the first form of racism expressed by a culture. However it of it is nothing, the stress is laid on the border imposed on a civilization in disturbed times and does not express of anything a racial difference.

The stele border year 8 of the reign of Sésostris

Integral translation of the stele:

Southern border made in the year 8 pennies Majesty of the King de Haute and Low-Egypt Khâkaourê, endowed with life (it is) eternally and forever,

to prevent that do not cross it while going towards North - by the ground or in barque-
any Nubian and any herd pertaining to Nubians,

except for the Nubian which will come to make trade with Iken or on mission official,
and (except for) all that one will be able advantageously to do with them,

but without allowing that a boat belonging to Nubians crosses Heh while going towards North, forever!

The stele border year 16 of the reign of Sésostris

This stele carried this inscription: Since to keep silent, after an attack, it is to enhardir the heart of the enemy, then it is courage which to be aggressive, and cowardice to make retraite.

Integral translation of the stele:

Live Horus “with the divine demonstrations”, That-of-Two-Mistresses “of divine birth”, the Low-Egypt Khâkaourê and Haute King, alive (it is)!
Live Horus-of gold “which comes to the existence”, the Son of D pertaining to his body, that which he loves, the Master of the Two Sésostris Grounds, gifted (it is) of life, stability and being able eternally!

Year 16, 3rd month of the season-Péret. Action of its Majesty to establish the southernmost border with Heh.

I established my border when I went to the south (that of) my fathers. I increased what was to me légué.
I am a king who speaks and who acts " what arrives by my arm, it is what my heart conçoit" ;
avid of conquest and hastened towards success, (a king) in the heart of which a word (business) does not sleep;
who takes into account those which claim, which is based on softness, but is not lenient towards the enemy who attacks it;
who attacks when it is attacked and remains quiet when one is quiet, who answers a situation according to what can in résulter.
Since to keep silent itself after an attack, it is to enhardir the heart of the enemy,
(then) it is courage which to be aggressive, it is cowardice to beat in retraite.
It is true a couard, that which is pushed back of its frontière.
Since the Nubian obeys at the point to be subjected to (first) the word,
(then) it is him to answer which makes that it retire.
When one is aggressive towards him, it shows its back; (but) when one moved back, it comes from there to be agressif.
They are not people whom one respects; they are poor wretches in the middle brisé.
My Majesty saw them " it is not a mensonge" , and I captured their wives and took along their subjects, outgoing towards their wells, cutting down their herds, cutting their cereals and putting the feu.
at it As true for me as my father is alive, I speak in truth: there is no there exaggeration coming from my bouche.
Thus, very son with me which will maintain this border that my Majesty established, it is my son; it is for my Majesty that it was enfanté.
He is with the image of the " Wire-guard-of-sound-père" , that which maintains the border of that which it engendra.
Thus, that which will lose it and will not fight for it, it is not my son; it is not for me that it was enfanté.
Here thus that my Majesty made make a representation of my Majesty on this border which my Majesty established, so that you are firm because of it and so that you fight for elle.

Bibliographical reference

• Dows Dunham, Second Cataract Forts, vol.: Sumna Kumma, excavated by George Andrew Reisner , 1960.

• Christopher J. Eyre, The Semna Stelae: Quotations, kind, and functions off literature , Jew-Groll (ED.) Studies in Egyptology presented to Miriam Lichtheim, vol., Jerusalem 1990.