Card/Transcription No.: 175-4

The Epigraphic Expedition
The University of Chicago
The Oriental Institute
Luxor, Upper Egypt

February 26, 1925.

Dear Mr. Carter:

Since returning home, I have looked up the epithets of the god Ptah and find that, at Medinet
Habu, he is frequently designated <> which must plainly be "Lord of Truth". I think there
can be little doubt that this is the reading of the signs on the horn you showed us this morning.

If the horn is of a military character, it is not unlikely that the representations of Re, Amon and
Ptah may have some connection with the subsequent division of the field army into three corps
or divisions, each under the special patronage of one of these gods. In Breasted's Ancient
Records, Vol. III, paragraph 310 and in subsequent sections, all from the time of Ramses II,
you will find reference to these army divisions. At the Dog River in Phoenicia are three
military stelae of Ramses II, one to each of these gods. These were possibly, though of course
not certainly, erected by the respective corps of the army. On the recently discovered stele of
Seti I from Beisan in Palestine the same three divisions or corps also appear. I know of no
evidence for their existence under the XVIII Dynasty, but as the beginning of the imperial
army organization undoubtedly goes back to the XVIII Dynasty, and especially to the wars of
Thutmose III, it may be that the creation of these three military units belongs to that period
previous to the reign of Tutankhamon. As you see, I have few facts and many surmises on the
subject.

Let me thank you again for the most interesting experience my wife and I enjoyed today owing
to your generous invitation.

Sincerely yours,

Harold H. Wilson