Edfu – Battle between Hariese and Seth in the Form of a Red Hippopotamus 1/10

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The myth complex of Horus, Isis, and Osiris appears in five major textual witnesses at the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Three of these have already been presented; the present inscription constitutes the fourth. Situated on the inner face of the enclosure wall, east section, base (second section), it is published in Chassinat, Le temple d’Edfou, Vol. 6, pp. 213–219, and translated with commentary in Kurth, Edfu VI. Die Inschriften des Tempels von Edfu, Abteilung I, Übersetzungen, Band 3, pp. 382–390. This text frames the myth in terms of the legitimate taking possession of Egypt—an act possible only after the defeat and expulsion of Seth. Horus Behedeti is summoned to protect the unborn and later the young Harsiese, son of Isis and Osiris. The narrative thereby illustrates a characteristic feature of Edfu theology: the local form of the god functions both as the Edfu manifestation of the pan-Egyptian Harsiese and as an independent divine actor who safeguards his counterpart. Core mythic material is freely reshaped to serve local cultic and decorative needs, yielding details that, on present evidence, appear unique to Edfu’s theological literature. Seth is portrayed in consistently negative terms—as the murderer of his brother Osiris who also seeks to destroy the heir and seize the inheritance. Neutralising him remains Horus’s unquestioned duty. The inscription opens with reciprocal speeches of empowerment among the gods and the king, then recounts Isis’s pregnancy, the protective decree obtained at Edfu, the birth of Horus in Chemmis, and Seth’s subsequent challenge. Ra orders Horus Behedeti to intervene with his fleet of harpooners. Seth transforms himself into a red hippopotamus and flees southward; Horus pursues. At Edfu itself, the god assumes the form of a giant youth standing upon a lofty platform and launches successive harpoons of prodigious length. The first strikes the beast’s nose; further blows drive Seth downstream. The victory culminates in the slaughter of the hippopotamus and the formal recognition of Horus’s dominion over the Two Lands, sealed by Thoth’s decree. Through vivid popular coloring and precise topographical anchoring, the text transforms a universal conflict into a local charter of divine kingship and territorial possession.

Ref.: Chassinat, Le temple d’Edfou, Vol. 6, pp. 213–219 — Kurth, Edfu VI. Die Inschriften des Tempels von Edfu, Abteilung I, Übersetzungen, Band 3, pp. 382–390 — Sketches modified after Chassinat, Le temple d’Edfou, Vol. 10, plates CLI, CLIX — Photo modified after  Chassinat, Le temple d’Edfou, Vol. 14, plate DLXXVI — Floor plan Chassinat, Le temple d’Edfou, Vol. 9, p 71, Pl 1

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