Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of Rameses II

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β Today we are going to look at the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“!

It always felt like my Nonno took pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ of everything in museums – I definitely learned from the best! I’m so happy that the two 𓏻 of us did take pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ of everything because all of the pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ you see on this account were either taken by me, Nonno, or sometimes another family member! Even though the glass in front of the artifacts can cause a glare and make it more difficult to take a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, I’m thankful for it now because you can see my Nonno’s reflection!Β 

This is a calcite 𓍱 (alabaster) vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ with the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II on it.Β 

Cartouches of Rameses II
Cartouches of Rameses II on a calcite vase at the Louvre.

We are going to start with the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right! This is the throne name of Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–, which is preceded by the normal royal title! 

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

𓇿𓇿 – Two Lands

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œUsermaatre setep en Ra π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–β€ translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.” Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely:

𓇳 – Ra

π“„Š – Powerful

𓁧 – Justice (Maat)

𓇳 – Ra

π“‰π“ˆ– – Chosen

Now let’s look at the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right! This is the birth name of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ which is also preceded by the normal royal title! 

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“ˆπ“₯ – Appearances 

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Ramessu mery Amun

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œRamessu mery Amun π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“β€ translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– could also be translated as β€œRa Bore Him.” Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely:

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

Rameses II’s birth name cartouche has many variants and can also be written like this: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“. Certain symbols can be substituted for each other because π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– and 𓁩 both mean Amun π“œ and 𓇳𓏺 both mean Ra.Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Amenhotep III

Here I am at the British Museum with a beautifully 𓄀𓆑𓂋 preserved granodiorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž ! This particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† was found at his temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–.Β 

Statue of Amenhotep III
Me with a Statue of Amenhotep III at the British Museum

In this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† is depicted in the typical fashion of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! He is wearing the nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth on his head, and there is a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on the forehead of the nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth. A Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is usually depicted as an upright snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 and is a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, and divine authority in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– – all characteristics usually associated with the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! While a lot of the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 has been broken off (probably just due to the passage of time), it is clear that it was once there! 

Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  is also wearing the false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ, which is another common accessory that the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wore! Why did the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wear false beards π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έπ“¦ though?! Many of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ had beards π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έπ“¦ so it was considered to be a godly trait.  By imitating the appearance of a god π“ŠΉ, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 not only linked themselves to the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, but also made themselves seen as gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on Earth 𓇾𓇾. A false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ was only worn by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻- no one else could wear it because no on else was a god π“ŠΉ!

Fun fact: more statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ exist of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† than of any other pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (sorry Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“) and over 250 π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† have been currently identified. I’m sure more will be found during excavations, and I am excited to see what will be unearthed in Egypt!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Partial Relief with Hieroglyphs

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at an incomplete piece of a limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief! This piece at the Brooklyn Museum is so beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 because even though it is just a fragment, the colors are so striking and I just love looking at it! Blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ has always been my favorite color, and the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 on this relief is still so bright even after thousands of years!Β 

Partial Relief with Hieroglyphs
Partial Relief with Hieroglyphs at the Brooklyn Museum

Since the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are pointing to the left, we are going to start reading the symbols from the left! 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super common symbol that you will see in a lot of inscriptions! It is a uniliteral phonogram sign, which means it has the sound of a single consonant. The β€œπ“…±β€ is representative of the sound β€œw” or β€œu.” This symbol is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick 𓅱𓏺.”

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a uniliteral phonogram! The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ has many grammatical functions on its own, and it can mean β€œto,” β€œof,” β€œfor,” β€œwe/us/our,” β€œin,” β€œbecause,” β€œthrough,” and some others! How do we know which word it is? Context clues! In the case of this inscription, too much is missing for us to know what the word is! 

The β€œtall loaf of bread 𓏑” symbol is an ideogram for β€œbread 𓏑,” which usually appears in offering formulas. Surprisingly, it can also be used as an ideogram for β€œThoth” as well! 

The β€œhobble for cattle π“Ž‚β€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram which means it is associated with the sound of two consonants. The β€œπ“Ž‚β€ is associated with the sound β€œz3” (pronounced like β€œzah”) and is usually used in words such as β€œprotection π“Ž‚π“¦/π“Ž‚π“›β€ and other related phrases.

The β€œforepart of lion 𓄂” symbol is an ideogram for the word β€œfront” and β€œforemost.” It is associated with the sound β€œh3t” which would be pronounced like β€œhat.” 

The last word all the way on the right I can actually see in full – this is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Reconstruction from the Palace at Malqata

In order to celebrate his Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  built a new palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 which was referred to as β€œThe House of Rejoicing” at present day Malqata in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, also known as the β€œ30 Year Jubilee,” was meant to celebrate the 30th year of a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“. Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† threw himself three separate Heb Sed Festivals π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, even though he did not rule π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ for ninety years!Β 

Reconstruction using blue tiles from the Palace at Malqata
The blue faience tiles were found at Malqata, but this design is a reconstruction of what it might have looked like (the MET)

This beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 decoration is a reconstruction using the tiles that were found during the excavation of Amenhotep III’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† palace at Malqata. These strikingly blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό tiles were found on the floor of ruins of a temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ dedicated to the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­. 

After the death of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž , his palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 and the surrounding villages (used by the people serving the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻) at Malqata were abandoned and the site was never used again during ancient Egyptian times. This caused the site to fall into ruin and get covered by the desert π“…Ÿπ“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ sand. This allowed The House of Rejoicing and surrounding villages at Malqata to be preserved decently well, and it is considered to be one of the most extensive town sites to be preserved in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

Many examples of these blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό tiles have been found at Malqata, along with other beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 artwork that decorated the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐! It must have been such a beautiful sight to see!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Beaded Necklaces from Amarna

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑 – How beautiful this is! Let’s take a closer look at these beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 beaded necklacesΒ  𓂝𓏏𓍒π“ͺ from Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–!Β 

Beaded Necklaces from Amarna
Beaded Necklaces from Amarna (the MET)

There are many different styles of beads, and I just love how striking the colors are! On these necklaces 𓂝𓏏𓍒𓏦, the bright yellow beads are in the form of a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗. A Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is usually depicted as an upright snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 and is a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, and divine authority in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is usually associated with the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, but in the later time periods also worn by women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ and certain deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. 

The reddish/brown colored beads are in the shape of a fly 𓂝𓆑𓆑𓆦! Flies 𓂝𓆑𓆑𓆦π“ͺ were seen as an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† of protection and were possibly used to protect the wearer from insect bites. I love the fly 𓂝𓆑𓆑𓆦 beads/amulets π“Šπ“Šͺ𓅆𓏦!Β 

Beaded Necklaces from Amarna
Beaded Necklaces from Amarna (the MET)

There are so many ways to say β€œnecklace” in Middle Egyptian, so let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here are some different ways to say β€œnecklace”: 

π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ broad collar 

π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ necklace (menat)

𓃀𓏲𓃀𓏲 necklace, collar

𓂝𓏏𓍒 jewelry, necklace (with stone beads)

π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹ necklace

π“ˆ™π“…±π“‹ necklace

I chose to use β€œπ“‚π“π“’β€ when writing out this description because this word (pronounced like β€œat”) is the word specifically for a necklace π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹ that has stone beads π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ! I figured that was a pretty close description to the artifacts in this display! The Menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ and the broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ are very specific types of necklaces and neither of them are shown in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏! 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Tyet Knot

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a symbol known as the Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ or the Isis Knot π“Ž¬!Β 

Tyet Knot
The Tyet Knot drawn in the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (the MET)

This particular Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ is from the Book of the Dead of 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 Imhotep at the MET! Even though this Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is from the Ptolemaic Period, the origin of the Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ from the First Dynasty/Early Dynastic Period! It always amazes me how the same religious symbols just persisted through Egyptian history! 

The Tyet Knot π“Ž¬, also known as the Isis knot π“Ž¬, was considered a very strong symbol of protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ and came to be associated with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯. The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that knots π“Ž¬ were able to bind and then release magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ. The Isis Knots π“Ž¬ were also mostly used in a funerary context, such as amulets π“Šπ“Šͺ𓅆𓏦 (starting in the New Kingdom) placed on mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ or as part of spells π“Ž›π“‚“π“›π“¦ in the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

In chapter 156 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺, it states that the Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† should be made of red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ jasper and placed on the neck of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! The spell states that the Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† β€œwill drive away whoever would commit a crime against him.” 

Let’s take a look at the hieroglyphic meaning! Called the β€œtie π“Ž¬β€ by Gardiner, this symbol is an ideogram for β€œTyet Knot π“Ž¬β€ or β€œIsis Knot π“Ž¬β€ and is associated with the sound β€œtjt” which would be pronounced like β€œtyet.” 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Lion Game Pieces and Dice

These little lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ aren’t actually statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ – they are pieces to a game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦! What really cool is that these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“π“„›π“ͺ are dated to c. 3,000 B.C.E., which is considered to be part of the Early Dynastic Period/First Dynasty.Β  These particular lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ are made out of ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ, and there are many examples of these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ in museums all around the world 𓇾𓇾!Β 

Lion Game Pieces
Lion Game Pieces (left) and ancient Egyptian dice (right) at the Louvre

The game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ that these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ are a part of us called β€œMehen π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†“/π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†—β€ or β€œSerpent” in English! Mehen π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†— was a popular game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ during the Old Kingdom and persisted from c. 3,000 B.C.E. to about c. 2,300 B.C.E. The game board consists of a coiled snake π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜ while the game pieces are the lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ (probably about six 𓏿) and several marbles. 

There are also some dice in this display – it has always fascinated me that there really haven’t been any changes to the look or even the function of dice since ancient Egyptian times! I believe the oldest set of dice were actually found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! Some believe that the dice could have been used to play the board game Senet π“Šƒπ“π“ˆ–π“ . 

Why were game boards π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ and pieces placed in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦? Was is so the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 could be entertained in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐? Was it part of a ritual? We will probably never know!Β 

It’s truly amazing how things that amuse humans (such as board games) have not changed throughout the millennia! I love seeing artifacts like this because it creates a connection to the present, and I love seeing that.

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Akhenaten and Nefertiti

The love story of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— is one that definitely captures the attention of Egyptologists and non-Egyptologists alike! I have always been fascinated by these two 𓏻 and I was so excited to see this painted limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the two 𓏻 of them at the Louvre! It was one of my must-see pieces! This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 reminds me of the popular β€œcouples statues” that were prominent in burials during the Old Kingdom! β€œCouple Statues” depict a husband and wife sitting together! 

Akhenaten and Nefertiti
Limestone statue depicting Nefertiti and Akhenaten

Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— was the β€œGreat Royal Wife π“‡“π“π“ˆžπ“π“…¨β€ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This statue depicts Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— (left) and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (right) holding hands and walking forward. We know they are walking forward because one foot is placed in front of the other in a striding position. I also love the detail of the sandals 𓍿𓃀𓏏𓋸π“ͺ on their feet! They are also both wearing broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦, the necklace π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ of choice for royals and the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is also wearing the blue Khepresh crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ on his head, while Nefertiti appears to be wearing what looks like the red crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹”, but there is blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 on it! The Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is still present on the front of both crowns!Β 

What was the purpose of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾? This came from a private home, where it was used in a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“—. The common people would worship Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— because they were thought to be manifestations 𓆣𓆣𓆣 of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ here on Earth. 

The typical Amarna-style (elongated faces and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) is present here, which makes it very easy to identify these figures as Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. The Amarna art revolution is so interesting because Egyptian art didn’t change much until Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule, then there was this drastic change, and then once Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– died, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ reverted back to the traditional art style and it stated that way for the rest of the civilization. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sarcophagus of Pharaoh Rameses III

This striking red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί. Rameses III π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– was the second pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 20th Dynasty and he ruled for 32 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“» tumultuous years. His reign was marked by political, economic, and military issues. 

The most interesting part about Rameses III’s π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί reign for me is what is known as the β€œHarem Conspiracy” – Rameses III’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– secondary wife, Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“, plotted to have Rameses III π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– killed so her son π“…­ Pentawer π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“π“„Ώπ“…©π“‚‹π“Ή could become pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 instead of the chosen heir, Rameses IV π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“Šƒ. While Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“ and her conspirators (other high officials) succeeded in killing Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί, they did not succeed in establishing Pentawer π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“π“„Ώπ“…©π“‚‹π“Ή as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β  All of the conspirators were caught and put to death and Rameses IV π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“Šƒ succeeded Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί as the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β 

Sarcophagus of Rameses III
The red granite sarcophagus of Pharaoh Rameses III, which depicts the goddess Isis

Here, on the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ of Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί, Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is depicted where the feet of the deceased would be placed. Isis’ π“Š¨π“π“₯ sister Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 is usually located where the deceased’s head would be located. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is easily recognized in Egyptian art because she is normally shown with the headdress of a throne, π“Š¨, which is also one of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is shown with wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ and sitting on the hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ for β€œgold π“‹ž.” 

Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is known as a devoted wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 and mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐, but was also associated with resurrection π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± due to her role in piecing her brother/husband Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ back together after he was dismembered by their brother Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£. She is the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who was magically conceived after Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ brought Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ back to life π“‹Ή. 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Wooden Model of a Cattle Stable

I love wooden models so much because I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things and the models also remind me of dollhouses! I could spend such a long time just looking at these models – they have been preserved so well and they are so detailed!Β 

Wooden Model
Wooden Model of a Cattle Stable from the tomb of Meketre

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 model (and many others) were found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of the Royal Chief Steward Meketre who lived during the reign π“‹Ύ of Montuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ and possibly Amenemhat I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“. There were 24 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“½ almost perfectly preserved models found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. Half of the models are at the MET, while the other half are at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo!

Meketre’s high status as an official π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€ is why he was able to afford so many wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 models and such an elaborate burial. Even though Meketre was well off, the models do provide a look into the life π“‹Ή of the non-royals during the Middle Kingdom! 

While Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ religious beliefs didn’t necessarily change much over time, some of the customs did! The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 needed nourishment in the forms of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ and water π“ˆ—, even in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. In the Middle Kingdom, wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 models depicting different types of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ production were placed in a sealed chamber in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. It was thought that the models would hold magical more π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ power than the carvings used during the Old Kingdom, and also keep the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 nourished! 

This particular model depicts a β€œModel Cattle Stable” in which workers are feeding cattle 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 in order to fatten them for slaughter. In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, cattle 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were revered due to the worship of many cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, however, they were also used for food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯. Only the rich could afford to eat beef 𓇋𓍯𓄿𓄹, so I guess Meketre wanted to stock up for the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! I can’t say I blame him!