Today we are going to be looking at the cartouche of the throne name of pharaoh ππ» Amenhotep III ππ ππ΅πΎπ! Amenhotep III ππ ππ΅πΎπ ruled during the 18th Dynasty and his rule πΎ was a time of prosperity for Egypt ππ ππ, especially in regards to the arts and international influence!
This piece in the video is a reconstruction of the original by the MET – the blue ππΉππΏπΈπ₯ faience π£πππΈπΌ pieces are original, but the gold ππππ and plaster are not. This beautiful π€ππ decoration is a reconstruction using the tiles that were found during the excavation of Amenhotep IIIβs ππ ππ΅πΎπ palace at Malqata.
Here is his cartouche: π³π§π – NebmaatraΒ
Cartouche of Amenhotep III at the MET. This is the artifact featured in my video!
Letβs take a closer look at the symbols in the cartouche:
π³ – Ra
π§ – Maat (Truth)
π – Neb (Possessor)
The name ππ translates to Possessor is/of the Truth of Ra or Possessor is/of the Maat of Ra
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Letβs have a combination geology and history lesson today! While I always refer to ancient Egyptian history and hieroglyphs πΉππͺ as my βFirst Love,β my second love is petrology! Most people think geology is solely the study of rocks πππππ¦, however, geology is actually an umbrella term that covers any field that studies the surface and interior of the Earth πΎπΎ! Petrology is solely the study of rocks πππππ¦, and within that field, sedimentary rocks are my absolute favorite type of rock to study!
A stone vessel from the pre-dynastic period made from the sedimentary rock breccia (Brooklyn Museum)
Even in the pre-dynastic period, ancient Egyptian artisans mastered the art of taking very hard rocks πππππ¦ and turning them into something beautiful π€ – as is the case with this Breccia jar dated to c. 3500-3100 B.C.E. Breccia was mainly used to make these stone jars, and rarely is it seen in other statuary.
Breccia is classified as a clastic sedimentary rock ππππ. Sedimentary rocks are rocks that formed from tiny pieces (sediments) of pre-existing rocks πππππ¦ and are classified based off the size of the fragments in the rocks πππππ¦. Breccia is defined by the fact that is has fragments over two π» millimeters in diameter, those fragments are angular, and they are suspended in a matrix (natural cement formed by the precipitation of minerals).
Brecciaβs βsister rockβ (as I like to call it) is called conglomerate, which is also found in Egypt ππ ππ! While the rocks πππππ¦ are similar (fragments over two π» millimeters in diameter, fragments in a matrix), their main difference is that conglomerate has rounded fragments! Why do we care about that difference? If the fragments are round, it means they traveled a far distance in water π before they formed into the conglomerate! The angular fragments signify that the rock ππππ formed quickly after the sediments were deposited!Β
A piece of the rock conglomerate, which was found by me on the North Shore of Long Island. This is from my personal rock collection.
I included a picture ππ ±π of a conglomerate from my personal collection (I also found this rock myself) so you can see the difference in the shape of the fragments (scientifically referred to as βclastsβ). This conglomerate is one of my favorites because it has a βHidden Mickeyβ in it!
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Today ππππ³ we are going to look at the name ππ of the goddess πΉπ Nut πππ―π! Nut πππ―π is the goddess πΉπ of the sky πͺππ― and the cosmos. In the inscription ππ ±π pictured, the determinative symbol is missing and Nutβs name ππ is spelled with just the phonograms – βπππ―.β
Letβs break down the symbols in Nutβs name!
The βpot πβ symbol has a lot of varying and confusing functions! Most commonly, it is used as a biliteral phonogram for the sound βnw.β It can also replace and act as a variant for the βgrain of sand πβ symbol on special occasions.
The βflat loaf of bread πβ is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound βt.β It also functions as the ideogram for the word βbread ππΊβ and can be used to make words feminine when placed at the end of the word!
The βsky π―β symbol is mostly used as a determinative and ideogram in the words for βsky/heaven,β βabove,β and βceiling.β When used in the word βsky,β it is associated with the sound βptβ since it is acting like an ideogram. This symbol can also be associated with the sounds βhrt,β βhry,β and βnwtβ – depending on which symbols come before it and how it is used!
If you look closely, the words for βsky πͺππ―β and βNut πππ―β look extremely similar but they are pronounced differently! In these words, the βsky π―β symbol is working as an ideogram and complementing the sounds of the previous symbols! This is what we call a βphonetic complementβ – the sounds are written twice but pronounced once!
πππ― – Nut is pronounced like βnwtβ and the βnw πβ + βt πβ is the complemented by the sky symbol which is also βnwtβ in this case! This is how phonetic complements work! βππ is technically βnwtnwtβ but is only pronounced like βnwt (Nut).β
Bonus Grammar:
πͺππ― – Sky is pronounced like βpt πͺπβ (βpπͺβ + βt πβ) and the βsky π―β symbol would also be associated with the sound βptβ in this case since it is complementing the two previous symbols! Sky is technically written as βptptβ but only pronounced as βpt.β
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This limestone ππππ βRelief of a Noblemanβ on display at the Brooklyn Museum is a beautiful π€ππ and detailed example of a sunken relief! Sunken relief is defined as art that is carved directly into the rock ππππ, and it is below the rock face.
The “Relief of a Nobleman” piece is on display at the Brooklyn Museum.
While this was carved way after the reign of Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ (and his artistic revolution), some remnants of Amarna-era inspiration remain. For example, the fact that the face is more rounded than flat is Amarna-inspired, as well as the deep carving into the rock ππππ near the back of the head as compared to the face. This creates a really cool dimension, and was really first seen in the Amarna-era!
The wig πΏπππΈ that this man is wearing is intricately carved, and I feel like every little detail is seen! The wig πΏπππΈ almost looks real! My favorite aspect is the headband with the lotus flowers πΈπΈπΈ on it!Β
On the left side of the relief, a hand ππΊ is holding a sistrum πππππ£ and a flower πΌπ ±π°. A sistrum πππππ£ was a musical instrument (like a rattle/tambourine) that was associated with the goddess πΉπ Hathor π‘. Hathor’s π‘ face usually appears on the stem of the sistrum πππππ£, right below the “rattles.” The ancient Egyptians πππππͺ had a big connection with music πππΈ, and sistrums πππππ£πͺ appeared in art (and as actual artifacts) often.Β
Music πππΈ is something I love and cannot live without. I think itβs fascinating that a love of music πππΈ is something that has not changed in thousands πΌπΌπΌ of years or across civilizations/cultures.Β I love that I share that connection with ancient Egyptian culture!
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Before Horemheb π³π¦π£πΌπ³ππ became the last pharaoh ππ» of the 18th Dynasty, he was a general ππ¦ under the pharaohs ππ»π₯ Tutankamun ππ πππ ±ππΉπΎπΊπ and Ay π³π£π£πͺπΉππ. This large statue πππππΎ (and a second similar one) would have been placed in a temple πππ – either the temple of Ptah πͺπππ± at Memphis π ππ€πππ΄π or the temple of Amun-Ra ππ ππΊπ³ at Karnak.Β
Me with a Statue of Horemheb seated with a papyrus from before he was pharaoh.
It was standard for high officials to show themselves in a seated position with a papyrus scroll π πππ on their lap. In the Old Kingdom, the statues πππππΎπͺ usually showed the official reading, but in the New Kingdom, the statues usually showed the official writing πππ₯. Horemheb ππ ππΊπΏπππ± is writing πππ₯ a hymn to the god πΉ Thoth π €π(who is the god πΉ of writing πππ₯).Β
Statue of Horemheb seated with a papyrus from before he was pharaoh.
The hieroglyphs πΉππͺ around the base of the statue πππππΎ mention Horemhebβs π³π¦π£πΌπ³ππ many titles. The hieroglyphs πΉππͺ on the βpapyrusβ π πππ that is on Horemhebβs ππ ππΊπΏπππ± lap can actually be read, but it was so difficult to get a picture ππ ±π/actually read them because I could not get close enough to the statue πππππΎ!
It is really interesting to see a pharaoh ππ» depicted in statuary before he became the pharaoh ππ». Most pharaohs ππ»π₯ were born into their role, but Horemheb ππ ππΊπΏπππ± ascended to the throne through his status as general ππ¦. What a way to end the 18th Dynasty!
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This bronze ππ€ππ¦ kneeling statue ππ ±ππΎ of a falcon πππ‘π deity πΉ is referred to as the βSoul of Peβ and it is actually another way to depict the god πΉ Horus π π. Also known as βHorus of Pe,β these bronze ππ€ππ¦ statues ππ ±ππΎπͺ became popular during the Late Period, after 600 B.C.E. The Souls πππ of Pe πͺπ and Nekhen πππ were first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and are referred to as the ancestors of the pharaohs ππ»π₯. The Souls πππ of Pe πͺπ and Nekhen πππ were thought of as very powerful deities πΉπΉπΉ that not only aided the deceased π ππ± pharaohs ππ»π₯, but also the current living π£πππͺ pharaoh ππ». In this particular statue ππ ±ππΎ, Horus π π/Soul of Pe πͺπ is shown in a characteristic kneeling position with one arm raised, with the other resting on his chest. This is known as a βjubilation position,β which is meant to show the Soul of Pe πͺπ celebrating the rising of the sun ππ ±πΆ. The Soul of Pe πͺπ is usually represented as Horus π π the Falcon πππ‘π , while the Soul of Nekhen πππ is usually represented as a jackal ππΏππ₯. This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientEgypt#egyptianhistory#egyptianmythology#ancientegyptblog#anticoegitto#egyptology#brooklynmuseum
This bronze ππ€ππ¦ kneeling statue ππ ±ππΎ of a falcon πππ‘π deity πΉ is referred to as the βSoul of Peβ and it is actually another way to depict the god πΉ Horus π π. Also known as βHorus of Pe,β these bronze ππ€ππ¦ statues ππ ±ππΎπͺ became popular during the Late Period, after 600 B.C.E.
The Souls πππ of Pe πͺπ and Nekhen πππ were first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and are referred to as the ancestors of the pharaohs ππ»π₯. The Souls πππ of Pe πͺπ and Nekhen πππ were thought of as very powerful deities πΉπΉπΉ that not only aided the deceased π ππ± pharaohs ππ»π₯, but also the current living π£πππͺ pharaoh ππ».
In this particular statue ππ ±ππΎ, Horus π π/Soul of Pe πͺπ is shown in a characteristic kneeling position with one arm raised, with the other resting on his chest. This is known as a βjubilation position,β which is meant to show the Soul of Pe πͺπ celebrating the rising of the sun ππ ±πΆ. The Soul of Pe πͺπ is usually represented as Horus π π the Falcon πππ‘π , while the Soul of Nekhen πππ is usually represented as a jackal ππΏππ₯.Β
This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost.
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Yesterday was Earth Day and I forgot about it but I have a good excuse I promise – Iβm an Earth Science teacher and for me, everyday is Earth Day!!Β
Itβs incredible to me how much the ancient Egyptians πππππͺ knew about our beautiful π€ππ planet, and how that knowledge was reflected in their intricate mythology. The Earth πΎπΎ itself is differentiated (interior is divided into layers), has an atmosphere, and that atmosphere fades and thins away until space is reached. We can see all of these different βlayersβ in this art from a sarcophagus ππΉπππ which is showing part of the creation myth! Letβs take a closer look!Β
A close-up image of a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum depicts (from top): Nut, Shu, Khnum and Geb!
The goddess πΉπ of the cosmos, Nut πππ―π, is depicted as a woman πππ arched over the rest of the figures, because as the goddess πΉπ of the cosmos, she surrounds the Earth πΎπΎ – just like space actually does! Directly underneath Nut πππ―π is Shu ππ ±π, the god πΉ of the atmosphere. Shu ππ ±π is seen holding up the sky πͺππ― (which is depicted as the sky π― hieroglyph). Shu ππ ±π is responsible for raising the atmosphere from the Earthβs πΎπΎ surface!
Underneath Shu ππ ±π is Geb π ππ, the god πΉ of the Earthβs πΎπΎ surface, which the ancient Egyptians called the Upper Earth. Tantanen (not pictured) is the god πΉ of the Lower Earth (aka Earthβs interior). I still think itβs amazing that the ancient Egyptians knew there was an interior to the Earth πΎπΎ, and the mythology is how they conceptualized that.
Khnum πΈπ/πΈππ, the ram headed creator god, is also pictured. Khnum πΈππ is one of the oldest deities; he is the god πΉ of the source of the Nile ππππ ±ππππΊ, fertility and was thought to have made humans out of clay from his potters wheel!
Take a closer look at the picture ππ ±π and see if you can see the names πππ¦ of all of these gods πΉπΉπΉ in the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
So in this beautiful π€ππ image ππ ±π, we have a representation of Space (Nut πππ―π), the atmosphere (Shu ππ ±π), the Earthβs surface (Geb π ππ) and the source of the Nile (Khnum πΈπ). This is how the Egyptians saw Earth πΎπΎ and I think itβs incredible!!
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This rectangle fragment of a relief depicting a horse drawn chariot π ¨ππππ was found at the Great Aten Temple in Amarna (Akhetaten πππππππ). This piece is estimated to have been carved between c. 1352β1336 B.C.E., which is during the reign πΎππ of Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ. This particular relief pictured was originally part of a much larger image ππ ±π. Here, chariot π ¨ππππ attendants are keeping watch of the chariots π ¨πππππ¦ for the royal family.Β
Image of a horse drawn chariot and a chariot attendant from Akhetaten on display at the MET.
Chariots π ¨πππππ¦ (and horses π΄π΄π πππͺ) were not always a part of Egyptian history. It is estimated by historians that the chariot π ¨ππππ first arrived in Egypt ππ ππ around 1600 B.C.E. and that they were introduced by the Hyksos. The first horse π΄π΄π ππ remains in Egypt ππ ππ are estimated to be from the Thirteenth Dynasty, so horses π΄π΄π πππͺ must have been introduced to Egypt ππ ππ before the Hyksos rule.
After Ahmose I πΊπ defeated the Hyksos and reunified Egypt ππ ππ to start the 18th Dynasty/New Kingdom, the chariot π ¨ππππ became a common sight in both art and in the life of the pharaoh ππ». Chariots π ¨πππππ¦ were the number one choice of transportation for royalty! Chariots π ¨πππππ¦ were also used by pharaohs ππ»π¦ to take part in hunting, and were used by the army for battle. Many reliefs and other forms of art from this time period shows various pharaohs ππ»π¦ hunting or going into battle on their chariot. The chariot π ¨ππππ became a sign of bravery and strength π.
Fun Fact: the hieroglyph πΉπ for βchariot πβ only appeared in Middle Egyptian around the same time that the chariots π ¨πππππ¦ were introduced to Egypt ππ ππ! That totally makes sense and itβs so cool to βwatchβ the language evolve as technology evolved! The same thing happens today!
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Here at the MET, I am sitting with a mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ that is still wrapped in its linen π±. Mummification π΄π§ππ ±π was an extremely important part of Egyptian religious practices because the body of the deceased π ππ± needed to stay intact in order for the deceased π ππ± to reach the afterlife πΌπΏππ.Β
Me sitting with a linen wrapped mummy at the MET
Mummification π΄π§ππ ±π was practiced throughout most of Egyptian history, and the earliest mummies ππΉπ ±πΎπͺ were most likely accidental just due to the dry climate of Egypt ππ ππ! The mummification π΄π§ππ ±π of people persisted for over 2,000 years and continued well into the Roman Period. The best preserved mummies ππΉπ ±πΎπͺ are from the 18th-20th Dynasties.
Mummification π΄π§ππ ±π was a long process that took about seventy days to complete. First π, the internal organs ππ§ππΉπ¦ such as the liver π πππΉπΈπΈπΈ, stomach ππ£π», intestines, lungs ππ΄π₯π ±πΊ, and the brain ππ π πΉ were removed. The heart πππ£ remained in the body because it would be needed for the βWeighing of the Heartβ before the deceased entered the Field of Reeds πππ ππΏππ ±π°π. After that, the body was then dried in natron ππ§π¨, which is a type of salt. Once the drying was complete, the body was wrapped in hundreds of yards of linen π±. Amulets ππͺπ πͺ could placed in the linen π± to help the deceased enter the afterlife πΌπΏππ.
Here is some mummy-related vocabulary:
ππΉπ ±πΎ – Mummy
ππ«ππ – Tomb
ππ – Mastaba (House of Eternity)
ππππ – Burial Chamber
π΄π§ππ ±π – Mummification/Embalm
I have had a fascination with mummies ππΉπ ±πΎπͺ since I was a little girl! Mummies ππΉπ ±πΎπͺ never scared me – I just remember being so interested and intrigued by the idea of them! One of the first books my Nonno ever gave me was called “Faces of the Pharaohs,” and it contained pictures of the 18th Dynasty royal mummies! It is still one of my favorite books!
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