Julia Balbilla - Tour of Egypt & Her Poetry

Tour of Egypt & Her Poetry

During their travels throughout the Roman Empire, Roman Emperor Hadrian; his wife and Roman Empress Vibia Sabina were escorted by Balbilla, as they visited the Valley of the Kings in Ancient Egypt in 129. How Balbilla became their escort in Egypt is unknown.

During 19–21 November 130, in commemoration of their visit to the Valley of the Kings, Hadrian, Sabina and Balbilla returned again to the Valley of the Kings. Hadrian and Sabina, commissioned Balbilla to record their visit in 130 to the Valley of the Kings. Balbilla was a court-poetess and friend to Hadrian and Sabina. Hadrian and Sabina were her patrons while they were in Egypt, however she didn’t receive any privileges from them.

Balbilla inscribed four epigrams in Aeolic Greek, the language used by the great Greek Poet Sappho eight centuries earlier. Balbilla was inspired and influenced by the lyric poetry of Sappho. These four epigrams known as Epigrammata, were inscribed and are preserved on lower parts on one of the Colossi of Memnon. The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues built by the Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III (flourished 14th century BC), to stand guard at the entrance of Amenhotep’s memorial temple. (Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Kings are two separate archaeological sites that are both located on the west bank of (Thebes, Egypt). When Balbilla had seen the Colossi of Memnon, these stone statues reminded her of the colossal sculptures on Mount Nemrut and the mausoleum of her ancestor King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene.

These four epigrams are considered by Modern Historians/Scholars as “graffiti” and Hadrian and Sabina approved them, they are considered as public inscriptions. These witty epigrams have a Homeric Tone and the epigrams are caught up between history and mythology. The poems display good use of metaphors, verbal and sound echoes. Balbilla in her epigrams demonstrates a traditional lyric poet: a lover for song and a liking for the Muses.

These epigrams reveal the learned, interesting personality of Balbilla. However at the same time, these epigrams honors Hadrian, Sabina and honors Balbilla’s descent. Although these epigrams have no particular literary value, they reveal Balbilla as a poet identity and by Balbilla inscribing her name on the Colossi of Memnon, she is acknowledging and making reference to her royal and aristocratic descent.

The first and second epigram honors and tells the story of a mythical King of Ethiopia Memnon, who was killed by soldier Achilles at Troy and whom the God Zeus made immortal. Balbilla finds she is not addressing Memnon, but is flattering Hadrian and Sabina.

When the August Hadrian heard Memnon.

by Julia Balbilla

Memnon the Egyptian I learnt, when warned by the rays of the sun,

Speaks from Theban stone.

When he saw Hadrian, the king of all, before rays of the sun

He greeted him - as far as he was able.

But when the Titan driving through the heavens with his steeds of white

Brought into shadow the second measure of hours,

Like ringing bronze Memnon again sent out his voice

Sharp-toned; he sent out his greeting and for a third time a mighty-roar.

The Emperor Hadrian then himself bid welcome to

Memnon and left on stone for generations to come

this inscription recounting all that he saw and all that he heard.

It was clear to all that the gods love him.

When with the August Sabina I stood before Memnon

Memnon, son of Aurors and holy Tithon,

seated before Thebes, city of Zeus,

Or Amenoth, Egyptian King, as learned

Priests recount from ancient stories,

Greetings, and singing, welcome her kindly,

The august wife of the Emperor Hadrian.

A barbarian man cut off your tongue and ears,

Impious Cambyses; but he paid the penalty,

With a wretched death struck by the same sword point

With which pitiless he slew the divine Apis.

But I do not believe that this statue of yours will perish,

I saved your immortal spirit forever with my mind.

For my parents were noble, and my grandfathers,

The wise Balbillus and Antiochus the king.

The third Epigram Demo, is a dedication to the Muses, alluding her poetry to them, making her poetry as divinely favoured. She explains that Memnon has shown her special respect. Demo offers her in return her gift for poetry, as a gift to the hero. In the end of this epigram, she addresses Memnon highlighting his divine status in recalling his strength and holiness.

Demo

Son of Aurora, I greet you. For you addressed me kindly,

Memnon, for the sake of the Pierides, who care for me,

song-loving Demo. And bearing a pleasant gift,

my lyre will always sing of your strength, holy one.

The fourth and final epigram, Balbilla dedicates to her parents and grandfathers. This epigram is dedicated also to her noble and aristocratic blood.

For pious were my parents and grandfathers: Balbillus the Wise and King

Antiochus; Balbillus, the father of my mother of royal blood and king

Antiochus, the father of my father. From their line I too draw my noble

blood, and these verses are mine, pious Balbilla.

After her poetry, no more is known on Balbilla.