Return to my Egyptology pages
Go to my home page
© Copyright 1997, Jim Loy
This story was inscribed on the stella which stands between the paws of the Great Sphinx.
The King of Egypt, Aakheperura, Son of Ra, Amenhotep II had many sons. His favorite was Thutmose, who was like the god Horus himself. But Thutmose was not designated as the next King.
One day, young Prince Thutmose went hunting lions and goats in the Western Desert, with two of his servants. There, he encountered the Great Sphinx, which was covered, up to its neck, in sand. It was near noon, and was very hot. And they took refuge in the shadows of the head of the Sphinx. Thutmose sat in the sand, with his head against the Sphinx, and soon fell asleep.
And Thutmose dreamed that he stood before the Sphinx. And the Sphinx spoke to him, saying, "My son Thutmose, I am your father, Ra Harmakhis. Listen to me, and I will give you my kingdom on earth. You shall wear the White Crown and the Red Crown. You shall rule the Two Lands, from one end to the other. Whatever is produced in Egypt shall be yours, and the people of the world shall pay you tribute, because my heart has turned toward you. All this will happen, if you will protect me. See how the sands of the desert surrounds me, making me ill in my limbs. Sweep away the sands, and you shall be a great King. And everyone will know that you are my son."
When he awoke, Thutmose remembered his dream. And he promised to uncover the Sphinx.
Later, Thutmose became King Thutmose IV, also known as Menkheperura. He kept his promise, and had the Sphinx uncovered. And he had a stela carved, telling this story, and praising Ra Harmakhis.
Note: In Thutmose' time, the Great Sphinx was thought to be the image of Ra. Now, its face is considered to be that of Khafra, the King who built the second largest pyramid, the pyramid which is next to the Sphinx.
There is a chance that Thutmose made up this dream, to help himself become king.