Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Limestone Relief of Hathor as a Cow

This little limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief of Hathor 𓉑 as a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 at the Louvre is very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© and simple but I love it! One of the reasons I love Hathor 𓉑 so much is because I love cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 – not only they adorable, even today they are a life source for humans!Β 

Hathor as a cow, with her characteristic crown on her head!

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were venerated π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ and thought of as divine π“ŠΉ long before 7000 B.C.E. – which is when archaeologists believe the domestication of cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 took place. Some historians think that the reverence for cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 in ancient Egypt started during the Neolithic times, and since cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were so vital to culture and life π“‹Ή, their importance persisted in the forms of early goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ such as Hathor 𓉑, Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ and Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­. Cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 gave milk, and thus life, just like women 𓂑𓏏𓁐π“ͺ, hence why they were so revered π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ! 

Hathor 𓉑 can be easily recognized in Egyptian art because she will either be represented as a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒, or as a beautiful woman with a solar disc 𓇳 and cow horns π“„‹ as her crown. Even when she is in cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 form, Hathor 𓉑 will have her characteristic crown on her head, as seen in this relief! As Egyptian religion evolved, the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ adopted this same crown, so it is difficult to tell them apart in later period art – that is where hieroglyphs come in handy π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Even in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, the words for cow and beautiful are linked – look below at how similar β€œcow” and β€œbeautiful” are – even β€œcow” and β€œbeautiful woman” are the same word – only the determinative different so it would have been pronounced the same! I think this connection to language just demonstrates how important cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were to the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 – Cow

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓁐 – Beautiful Woman

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – Beautiful

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on this particular relief are cut off, but β€œπ“ŽŸπ“β€ is the word for all, or Lady/Mistress!Β 

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Blog

Scribal Palette

School supplies in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– definitely look a little bit different than what my students and I use every day π“ŽŸπ“‡³! This piece is a scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž which we’re used by scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ! Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ held an important place in ancient Egyptian society because they were the few that were literate! While scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ are famous for their work in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ and temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ they had other exciting responsibilities as well – such as recording taxes. Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ were also the only profession that we’re not drafted into the army because they were that important to the functioning of Egyptian society!Β 

A scribal palette

A typical scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž was usually in a long rectangular shape made of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺. In some cases, the palettes π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“‚§π“žπ“ͺ were made of ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ. At one end, there were indented circles to hold the black π“†Žπ“…“ and red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ ink that the scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ used to write, and the other end had a place for them to hold the reeds 𓇋𓇋𓇋/sticks that they used to write with! The jars that you see in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are water jars π“Ž›π“ŽΏπ“‹΄π“π“Œπ“¦ that the scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ used to use to clean off their reeds 𓇋𓇋𓇋 while switching between inks while writing! 

While this particular scribal palette is π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž dated to the Second Intermediate Period – New Kingdom (c. 1635–1458 B.C.E), there are also examples at the MET from the Middle Kingdom that look extremely similar to this one! Through time, the style of the scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž hasn’t changed at all! 

There are two 𓏻 ways to write β€œscribal palette” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž and π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“‚§π“ž! Both would have sounds like β€œmnhD” since both β€œπ“†“β€ and β€œπ“‚§β€ are phonograms with a hard β€œd” sound like in the name β€œDjoser.” 

There were also many different types of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and their roles were usually designated by titles written on funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦! 

π“ž – Scribe

π“Ÿπ“€€ – Scribe

π“‡“π“ž – King’s Scribe / Royal Scribe / King’s Secretary

π“žπ“Žπ“› – Scribe of Accounts 

π“žπ“ŠΉπ“‰—π“π“‰ – Scribe of the Temple

π“žπ“Ž˜π“Ž›π“²π“‹π“« – Scribe of the Offering Table

π“žπ“‰’ – Scribe of the Treasury

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Pharaoh Narmer or Khufu?

Which pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is this – Narmer 𓆒𓍋 or Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱?Β  We will probably never know!!Β  This is both the best and most frustrating part about Egyptology sometimes – it’s the mystery and the β€œnot knowing.” 

Is this Pharaoh Narmer or Khufu? We will probably never know!

The awkward photography aside (I have never claimed to be good at photography, just hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ), this is a very fascinating statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 at the Petrie Museum in London! Petrie thought this head of a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 represented Narmer 𓆒𓍋, while Egyptologists today believe that it depicts Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱. 

Narmer 𓆒𓍋, also referred to as his throne name Menes π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹, was the first 𓏃 pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of a united Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and the founder of the First Dynasty. His rule π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ began around 2900 B.C.E., which was when Upper 𓇓 and Lower Egypt 𓆀 were united into one kingdom. The β€œNarmer Palette” is the most famous depiction of this pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 as not much art has survived from so long ago. The name β€œMenes π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹β€ means β€œHe Who Endures,” which is very fitting for Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– first 𓏃 pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 was the second pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the Fourth Dynasty, and is most well known for commissioning the construction of what is now known as the β€œGreat Pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴 of Giza.” This is the only aspect of Khufu’s 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ that has been documented – we actually don’t know much about him! Only one small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 has been found to date, so it would be pretty cool if this was actually Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱! The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 means β€œHe Protects Me.” 

I actually have no idea who this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is meant to depict – it could honestly be either pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

Who do you think is shown here – Narmer 𓆒𓍋 or Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱? Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouche of Akhenaten

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at one of the birth name variants for the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–! Now, this is most definitely a variant, because this cartouche 𓍷 definitely does not show the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was given when he was born! The pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was actually born with the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€ (Amun is Satisfied, God and Ruler of Thebes), and changed his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– during year five 𓏾 of his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“.Β 

“Lord of Appearances, Akhenaten.”

Let’s take a closer look at Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– cartouche 𓍷! Above the cartouche is his title β€œLord of Appearances π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯.” 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten (pronounced β€œAten”)

π“…œπ“- Spirit (pronounced like β€œahk”)

π“ˆ– – Of (pronounced like β€œn”)

This is where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAkhenaten” come from and the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œSpirit of the Aten.” 

The β€œreed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.”

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺.” 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a uniliteral phonogram sign. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

The β€œπ“‡³ sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for β€œra” or β€œre,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun 𓆄𓅱𓇳, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, and Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. 

The β€œcrested ibis π“…œβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram sign and is associated with the sound β€œah.” It can also be an ideogram for β€œspirit.”

The β€œplacenta or sieve 𓐍” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram and is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«β€ (similar to a β€œk”). This symbol is actually considered β€œunclassified” because Egyptologists actually don’t know what it exactly represents! 

Something that’s very special about this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is that my Nonno took it when we were at the Vatican Museum together π“ˆ–π“Š—! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Horus Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

While the throne name and birth name are the two 𓏻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ that appear most often in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the Horus Name of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! The Horus Name is one of five 𓏾 ways to write the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and it is the oldest way to do so. The purpose of the Horus Name was to identify the king 𓇓 as an earthly representation of the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. This helped to legitimize their rule π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ, especially if the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 wasn’t necessarily β€œin line” for the throne. 

Usually the Horus Name will appear in a Serekh, however that’s not the case here! The Falcon Horus π“…ƒ is usually standing on top of a palace facade π“Š which enclosed the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– but that is missing here probably due to spacing issues! The ancient Egyptians will always put aesthetics before grammar! Instead, π“‹Ήπ“…ƒ or β€œLiving Horus” is written to indicate the Horus Name! Again, β€œπ“‹Ήπ“…ƒ Living Horus” really tells everyone that Hatshepsut herself is the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, just here on Earth 𓇾𓇾.Β 

Hatshepsut’s Horus Name, Wosretkau, in hieroglyphs.

Let’s take a look at Hatshepsut’s Horus Name! 

π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – Wosretkau or Useretkau 

Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

π“„Šπ“‹΄π“ – Powerful, Mighty, Strong (this is the female version; male version is π“„Šπ“‹΄). 

π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – Kas (Souls) 

β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.”

Let’s break down the hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ:

The β€œhead and neck of a jackal π“„Šβ€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œwsr” or β€œusr.” 

The β€œfolded cloth 𓋴” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œs.”

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine! 

The β€œπ“‚“ two arms” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œka,” and also functions as an ideogram for the same. The word β€œka” has been translated into our modern languages as β€œsoul.” 

I think that is such a cool name π“‚‹π“ˆ– to have! This name π“‚‹π“ˆ– has only been recorded in a couple of places, including the Stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ at the Vatican (pictured), the Obelisk 𓉢 at Karnak, and on a couple of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ from Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 (one of these is at the MET). 

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Birth Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Throne Name

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Birth Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Can you spot Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό birth name in the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 below?

Can you see Hatshepsut’s cartouche?

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the birth name (also called the given name) cartouche 𓍷 of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! Like with most pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ had many different ways to write her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and these different spellings are called variants. A variant of Hatshepsut’s cartouche 𓍷 is what appears on this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ! 

But first 𓏃, let’s break down the full cartouche 𓍷 (aka the one that appears on most monuments) because it is the more β€œgrammatically proper” spelling!

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŽΉπ“- United with (Khnemet)

𓄂𓏏 – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Όπ“ͺ -Noble Women (Shepsut)

So Hatshepsut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” 

Hatshepsut’s Birth Name Cartouche

Now that we know her most popular variant, let’s take a look at the less common variant of the cartouche 𓍷, which is the variant that appears on the stela: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŽΉ – United with (Khnemet)

π“„‚ – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Ό – Noble Women (Shepsut)

So as you can see, even though there are less hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (aka the words are abbreviated), the cartouche still retains the original meaning/pronunciation! Abbreviations can be difficult for beginners, but it just comes with practice! 

There’s also a third variant of Hatshepsut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that I rarely see and it is simply: 𓄂𓏏𓀼π“ͺ which actually spells just β€œHatshepsut”!

𓄂𓏏 – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Όπ“ͺ -Noble Women (Shepsut)

This cartouche 𓍷/inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is from the Stela of Hatshepsut, which is at the Vatican Museum, which is the same stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ as the previous post about Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 Throne Name!

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Throne Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Horus Name

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Throne Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the throne name (also called the prenomen) cartouche 𓍷 of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and one of the first 𓏃 β€œphrases” that I learned how to read when I was first learning hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 always distinguished their names in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ by wrapping them in a cartouche 𓍷, which is an oval shape with a straight line closing the oval at one end. The oval shape was meant to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 and their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– from evil π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“π“…¨ in both life π“‹Ή and death 𓅓𓏏𓏱. 

With the three 𓏼 symbol cartouche, especially when Re 𓇳𓏺 is involved, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– read middle-right-left. So why is Re 𓇳𓏺 written first but said last!? Honorific transposition! As a sign of respect, Re 𓇳𓏺 (or another god π“ŠΉ) is always written first 𓏃 but said last! 

Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ throne name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓, which translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” I love π“ˆ˜π“ this name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and the meaning behind it – to me, it just screams β€œpowerful!” Let’s take a closer look at the symbols that are a part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

“Maatkare” in a cartouche – this is the throne name of the Pharaoh Hatshepsut

The β€œπ“‡³ sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for β€œra” or β€œre,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun 𓆄𓅱𓇳, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, and for words associated with time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.”

The β€œπ“¦ goddess with a feather” symbol is used commonly as a determinative in the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– for the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦, but is also commonly used as an ideogram for the word β€œmaat.” 

The β€œπ“‚“ two arms” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œka,” and also functions as an ideogram for the same. The word β€œka” has been translated into our modern languages as β€œsoul,” since the person’s ka π“‚“ was the part of the person that interacted with others and was considered one part of a person’s soul. 

This cartouche 𓍷/inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is from the Stela of Hatshepsut, which is at the Vatican Museum. When I saw this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ (one of my most favorite artifacts) I made sure to try and close up pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ because I love π“ˆ˜π“ it so much!

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Birth Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Horus Name

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Egyptian Artifacts

Large Granite Statue of Queen Tiye

This large granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— has quite the story and journey through history! It’s amazing how some pieces can start off in one place, but end up in a completely different location! Let’s take a closer look at this striking piece that is currently at the Vatican Museum, and follow her journey from Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– to Rome!

Queen Tiye at the Vatican Museum

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 definitely resembles other works of Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— – from the characteristic wig to the distinct face shape and design. In my opinion, there is no doubt that this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was originally Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“—. Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was married to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  and possessed the title of β€œKing’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“,” which pretty much meant that she was his favorite wife. Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was actually the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ grandmother!Β 

After some time had passed, the great usurper, Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“, recognized the beauty 𓄀𓆑𓂋 of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 and brought it to his mortuary temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ where he had it dedicated to his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 (and wife of Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠), Tuya 𓏏𓅱𓇋𓄿𓁗. β€œUsurping” was a popular practice where pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ would take old statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 π“ͺ from previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and put their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ on it. Think of it as ancient plagiarism! 

Then, the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 made its way out of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and to Rome! For a long time, the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 adorned the β€œGardens of Sallust,” which belonged to the Emperor Caligula π“ˆπ“‹Ύπ“©π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ŽΌπ“ƒ­π“‚§π“‚‹π“° at the time. Many Roman Emperors liked Egyptian art, and some (like Caligula π“ˆπ“‹Ύπ“©π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ŽΌπ“ƒ­π“‚§π“‚‹π“° and Hadrian π“‰”π“π“‚‹π“‚π“ˆ–π“Šƒπ“ˆŽπ“Šƒπ“‚‹) had pieces from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– brought to Rome to adorn their gardens π“Ž›π“Šƒπ“Šͺπ“ˆˆπ“₯ or estates. This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was then re-discovered in 1714 and was brought to the Vatican Museums in 1839. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Soul of Pe Statue at the Vatican

The Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š–

The Soul of Pe statue at the Vatican Museum

This bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ kneeling statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ deity π“ŠΉ is referred to as the β€œSoul of Pe” and it is actually another way to depict the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Also known as β€œHorus of Pe,” these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ became popular during the Late Period, after 600 B.C.E. 

The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and refer to the ancestors of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– symbolized the predynastic rulers of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were thought of as very powerful deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that not only aided the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, but also the current living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– and Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– were both cities in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and were around as early as the predynastic period.  Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– was originally the cult center for the god π“ŠΉ Horus in Upper Egypt 𓇓, however, Pe a town in Lower Egypt 𓆀, was awarded to Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ by Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 after his eye was injured during his battle with Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£ for the throne of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

In this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­/Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is shown in a characteristic kneeling position with one arm raised, with the other resting on his chest. This is known as a β€œjubilation position,” which is meant to show the Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– celebrating the rising of the sun 𓆄𓅱𓇢. The Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is usually represented as Horus the Falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„, while the Soul of Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– is usually represented as a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯. 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Nefertiti’s Name and Titles in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

On this relief from the remains of the Central Palace at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– (present day Tel el-Amarna), you can see Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–, Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€ π“„€ π“„€ π“„€Β  𓄀𓇍𓏏𓏭, and their daughter 𓅭𓏏 Meriaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“ˆ˜π“π“ praising the sun god, Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. The rays of the sun are depicted as hands giving the symbol of life, the ankh π“‹Ή, to the royal family.Β 

Nefertiti’s cartouche appears twice on this relief. Let’s look at the inscription on the left! Some of it is missing, but I am going to infer the missing pieces: 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“ˆ˜π“π“ – Meriaten (the last two symbols of her name are seen in the inscription 𓏏𓁐) (this is my guess)

π“ŒΊ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“ˆ– – Born of 

π“‡“π“π“π“ˆž – King’s Great Wife 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€ π“„€ π“„€ π“„€ 𓄀𓇍𓏏𓏭 – Neferneferuaten Nefertiti

π“‹Ήπ“˜ – May She Live! 

𓆖 – Everlasting (eternity)

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

So all together, the inscription reads: β€œMeriaten, born of the beloved King’s Great Wife Neferneferuaten Nefertiti, May she live for everlasting eternity.” 

Nefertiti’s cartouche reads β€œNeferneferuaten Nefertiti” which pretty much translates to β€œBeauty is the Beauties of Aten, the beautiful one has come.” β€œπ“„€β€ is a triliteral phonogram and translates to β€œnfr” (pronounced nefer) which means beauty or beautiful. This is actually the shorthand way to write β€œbeautiful,” and the other  way it appears in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ is fully spelled out as β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹β€ – it’s still pronounced the same though as β€œπ“†‘ = f” and β€œπ“‚‹ = r.” 

Above her cartouche on the left side of the relief you can see her title β€œKing’s Great Wife” π“‡“π“π“π“ˆž – (ancient Egyptians had no word for queen). Pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ also usually had multiple wives, so this title denoted the β€œfavorite” wife. 

While both of the following words – 𓆖 and π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› mean the word β€œeternity,” a lot of times they are seen together on inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! It would be silly to say β€œeternity eternity,” so Egyptologists translate this phrase as β€œπ“†–π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› Everlasting Eternity.” 

This relief is presently located at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology at UCL, London.