ptah

Ptah

"Ptah (ptH). Chief god of Memphis, represented the principle whereby an artisan's concept becomes transformed into concrete reality." (J.P. Allen 2005: 439)

"The first definite attestation of Ptah is on a travertine bowl from tomb 231 at Tarkan, dated to the middle of the First Dynasty, possibly the reign of Den (Petrie et al. 1913: 12, 22, pls III.1, XXXVII). The figure of the god in his shrine is accompanied by the name 'Ptah', making identification certain. A sculptor named Peh-en-Ptah is mentioned on a stone vessel from the tomb of Peribsen at Abydos (Amelineau 1905: pl. L.2) and on several similar vessels from the Step Pyramid complex at Saqqara (Lacau and Lauer 1959: pl. 25, nos 140-5)." (T. Wilkinson 1999: 293)

"Grave 231. Wooden coffin. Alabaster cylinder jar before feet, another behind back. In. corner behind head, a dish, and in it the inscribed bowl, 24 t, iii, I, with the figure of Ptah in his shrine and his name above. This is probably the earliest figure of a god known, ......." (Petrie et al. 1913: 12)

"Pl. iii, 1. Alabaster bowl with figure of Ptah in his shrine, and his name above. The date of the grave, 231, in which this was found is discussed in the description of graves. It seems unlikely that it is later than S.D. 81, the reign of Den. In any case it is probably the earliest figure of a god that is yet known. See the drawing on pl. xxxvii, grave 231, S.D.81, 5 : 4. (Ashmolean.)" (Petrie et al. 1913: 22)

Pl XXXVII:

Pl. III.1:

Dyn 5:

Ptahshepses was a "priest of Ptah (Hm nTr ptH), priest of Sokar in all his places" (ptH: Q3 (p) X1 (t) V28 (H))

Dyn 6:

Idu, G7102: "........one well-provided before Anubis upon his hill, lord of the divine land, one well-provided before Osiris, lord of Busiris, one well-provided before Ptah, south of his wall,...... (imAxw xr PtA rsy inb) (GM 2 1976: 26)

Tjetu I (overseer of the pyramid town, Akhet Khufu), G2001: Ptah-Sokar (ptA-zkrw) (GM 4 1980: 8)

Dyn 6 Pyramid Texts:

"Oh, you of great ka, cupbearer of Horus, pavilion-director of the Sun, chamber-senior of Ptah! Give greatly to Teti, for Teti eats according as you give." T 158 (PT 345) Sethe Vol 1: 288; §560b

Teti: Q3 (p) X1 (t) V28 (H); Merenra & Neferkara: Q3 (p) X1 (t) V28 (H) + 'divine' det. G7 (falcon on standard)

T 163 (PT 349) Sethe Vol 1: 292; §566b

Teti: Q3 (p) X1 (t) V28 (H); Pepi I & Neferkara: Q3 (p) X1 (t) V28 (H) + 'divine' det. G7 (falcon on standard)

"Command Him Who Has Life, Sothis's son, to speak on this Pepi's behalf and establish for this Pepi a throne in the sky. Commend this Pepi to Him Whose Nobility is Great, whom Ptah has desired, Ptah's son, that he may speak on Pepi's behalf and make firm the nourishment of his jar-stand that belongs to earth." P 513 (PT 573) Sethe Vol 2: 311; §1482c (ptH: Q3 (p) X1 (t) V28 (H))

"Commend Nemtiemzaf Merenre to Him Who Has Life, Sothis's son, [that he may speak] on this his behalf and establish his throne at the sky. Commend Nemtiemzaf Merenre to Him Whose Nobility is Great, Ptah's contentment, Ptah's son, ......." M 362 (PT 573) Sethe Vol 2: 311; §1482c (ptH: Q3 (p) X1 (t) V28 (H) + 'divine' det. G7 (falcon on standard)).

"Father of Pepi Neferkare (stanzas 3-4); Ptah's Contenter (stanza 4)......" N 566 (PT573) Sethe Vol 2: 311; §1482c (ptH: Q3 (p) X1 (t) V28 (H) + 'divine' det. G7 (falcon on standard)).

Middle Kingdom Coffin Texts:

"Welcome into the fanes!' by the Great Ones of Iunu; you are clad in the pure garment of Ptah, in the robe of Hathor." CT 61

"Hail to you, my father Osiris; see, I have come. I am Horus who, with Ptah, split open your mouth, I make you spirit-like in company with Thoth....." CT 62

It is yesterday's birth of the Sun which fashions me, the god's rejoice at me when I live just as they rejoiced over Ptah when he went forth from the Mansion of the Prince which is Iunu." CT 153

"O Great Provider who presides over houses, to whom goes up the great-bread which is in the Broad Hall in Iunu and invocation offerings in Iunu, who gives great-bread to Ptah in Iunu......" CT 179

"I have come today into the presence of Ptah, and he has made me with this baton of their warriors, he has made me a seat on the block(?) which is over the entrance of the horizon of the sky." CT 187

"N. has come today to Ptah, he has made a baton which beats their great ones." CT 195

"Ptah washes him, he gives bread to those who are with Hdw. Bread is given to me in the presence of Ptah; my mouth is opened, and the four Ptah-gods open my mouth in the tribunal in which Horus opened the mouth of Osiris. He says, he says: He is his son, he is his heir; He is Horus and I am he. Ptah under his moringa-tree....." CT 215

"Ho N! Ptah-South-of-his-Wall and Sokar have granted to you an appearing in the Hnw-bark of Geb, chiefest of the gods." CT 226

"I have entered into truth, I have upheld truth, for I am a possessor of truth. I have gone forth in truth and my shape is raised up, I am he who is pre-eminent in the Tnnt-shrine. I have entered into truth, I have attained its limit. I am Ptah, my most joyful path is prepared......" CT 330

Chris Tedder, Spring 2008