The article discusses the biography of Her-khuf, who lived during the 4th dynasty, as a model example of ancient Egyptian biographical inscription of the Old Kingdom period. The first part of the text describes the structure of Egyptian biography, presenting its typical elements as well as their functions. The next part describes the most important episodes of Her-khuf ’s official career as presented in his biography, especially his four expeditions to the Nubian land of Iam organised under Mer-en-Ra Nemty-em-saf and Nefer-ka-Ra Pepy II. Her-khuf ’s biography contains also one unique element, which is a letter from young Pepy II concerning a Pygmy who was brought by the official to Egypt while returning from his fourth expedition to Iam. The text of the article is followed by first complete Polish translation of the ancient Egyptian text with a historical commentary.
