THE FIRST KING’ S SONS OF KUSH AND THEIR PREDECESSORS

Abstract

This article examines the origin of the position of governor of Nubia — an official who administered the conquered Egyptians of the southern lands. The author reveals the reason for giving the governors of foreign countries of the south the title zA nsw — «king’s son» and tries to find out who was the first «king’s son» who ruled the conquered southern regions.The paper analyzed the evolution of the title zA nsw from the Ancient Kingdom to the end of the II Intermediate period. The officials with the honorary title «king’s son» for their outstanding achievements, as well as to emphasize the special importance of the position they hold, were revealed. In the II Intermediate period, military officials with the title zA nsw appear. Their mission was to command the troops of the most strategically important fortresses and districts of the Theban rulers. Also, military commanders with this title commanded special elite units. During the wars of Kamos and Ahmose against the kingdom of Kush in the south, king’s sons appear who fought against the Kushites — Teti and Djhuti. Inscriptions with their names and titles were found on the rocks of Armina East in the Aniba area. Investigating the connection of the title zA nsw with the military powers of individual commanders, the author comes to the conclusion that Teti and Djhuti were military leaders of elite Majai units that were based in Aniba during the period of the war with the Hyksos. Continuing the wars against the Kushites, the successors of Teti and Djhuti inherit their title, to which they subsequently add the new title imy-r Has.wt rs.yt — «the ruler of the foreign countries of the south.» Officials with the title zA nsw imy-r Has.wt rs.yt become viceroys of the conquered territories. As the administrative apparatus develops, the administrators of the foreign countries of the south, in the period of pharaoh Thutmose IV, receive the final formulation of their title — zA nsw n KAS — «king’s son of Kush».