Month: June 2022

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montuhotep II – Birth Name Cartouche

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Montuhotep II

Same relief from yesterday, but different hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is his birth name/given name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and that is the cartouche we will be looking at today!

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Montuhotep II

Let’s look even closer at the individual words!

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± – Montu (𓏠 – mn) (π“ˆ– – n) (𓍿- t) (π“…± – u/w)
π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Hotep (π“Š΅ – htp) (𓏏 – t) (π“Šͺ – p)

Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± refers to one of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon. Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± was a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ headed god π“ŠΉ of war who was mainly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–. He is mentioned as early as the Pyramid texts, but he didn’t rise to importance until the 11th Dynasty. However, Montu’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± importance waned beginning in the 12th Dynasty as Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ rose to power in the Theban region. However, Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± wasn’t forgotten because Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄠𓋴(who was quite the general/military leader) frequently compared himself to Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±!

The word β€œhotep/htp π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” translates to the word β€œsatisfied” or β€œcontent.” The word β€œhotep/htp π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” can also mean β€œoffering” or β€œpeace!”

So the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ means β€œMontu is satisfied” or β€œMontu is content.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montuhotep II – Throne Name Cartouche

π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ – Nebhapetra

This raised relief is originally from Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. This relief was part of one of the main areas of the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ that was added at the end of Montuhotep’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ reign π“‹Ύ. This dates the relief to c. 2010–2000 B.C.E. (Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11).

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

While Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is his birth name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, the cartouche we are looking at is his throne name π“‚‹π“ˆ–!

π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ – Nebhapetra

Let’s look even closer at the individual glyphs!
𓇳 – Ra
π“ŽŸ – β€œNeb” (nb)
π“Š€ – β€œHapet” (αΈ«rw or αΈ₯jpt)

Most of the time when you have a three 𓏼 symbol throne name, the glyphs are read middle, right/bottom, and then top/left. The symbol for Ra 𓇳 is written first but said last, due to honorific transposition! Basically, out of respect for the god π“ŠΉ, their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written first!

In English (and other languages like Italian) we have something similar to this – we say β€œten dollars” but write it as β€œdollars ten” – $10!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Scarab Amulets

The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 is the personification is the god π“ŠΉ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛. The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were said to be the most powerful of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ because the the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that the dung beetle (which the scarab was fashioned after) was capable of eternal regeneration. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 was considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of the morning sun 𓇳𓏺, and was usually depicted as a scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣, or as a human body with a scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 for a head 𓁢𓏺! Due to his ties with the sun 𓇳𓏺, Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 was considered to be an aspect of the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛!

The god π“ŠΉ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 symbolizes a β€œlife cycle” – birth, death, and then rebirth in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. This cycle was essential to Egyptian religious beliefs, as Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ spent their lives preparing for death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and entering the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife).

One of the best things about the MET are these little galleries that are offshoots of the main galleries – there are some real treasures (such as this scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 display) hidden away here! Honestly I love these little galleries more than the main areas – it’s almost like having a private museum!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Funerary Cones

While not as artistically decorated as most of the artifacts in the Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ collections of museums, these funerary cones were always something my Nonno pointed out to me! He thought they were so interesting and now every time I go to museums, I actively seek these out as a way to remember my Nonno!

Nicole (me) with funerary cones at The Met!

Funerary cones are made of clay and usually found at the openings of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ at Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–. They were used primarily during the 18th Dynasty (though there are examples that date to the 11th Dynasty or as late as the 19th-20th Dynasties).

The end of the funerary cone is usually circular in shape and usually contains an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ with the name of the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ occupant as well as a god π“ŠΉ. These objects can also be referred to as β€œfunerary stamps.”

An example inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that is common on a funerary cone would be something like:

β€œVenerated before Osiris, Son of X, Name of Deceased.”

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated
𓐍𓂋 – Before
π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Amulets of Taweret

Here are some faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗! More people are now familiar with Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 because of Moon Knight, but let’s dive into some history/information about her!

While the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ both feared and revered π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ due to their strength and power, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was a protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ and children π“π“‡Œπ“€•π“ͺ! The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 actually means β€œthe great (female) one!” That is certainly a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that suits her!

While many amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were usually placed on mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ to help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 on their journey to the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife), amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 were usually found in homes because she was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was essential to family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 life. The family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 unit was an incredibly important feature not only in daily life π“‹Ή, but in religious observances as well. The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 would provide protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ in the home, especially during childbirth, which was quite deadly for mothers 𓄿𓏏𓁐π“ͺ at the time. For this reason, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was usually worshipped in the home instead of in temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Nefertem

Here is a bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of the god π“ŠΉ Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯!

Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 is usually associated with perfumes, but this role is secondary to his role as the god π“ŠΉ of the lotus flower 𓆸 that rose out of the primeval waters π“ˆ— in the Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ creation myth. However, in the Pyramid Texts (from the Old Kingdom), Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 is actually described as β€œThe lotus blossom which is before the nose of Ra,” so he was clearly always associated with both lotus flowers 𓆸 and perfumes/scents!

Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 is always depicted as a young man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ with a large lotus flower 𓆸 on his head 𓁢𓏺! Less commonly, he can be shown as a human body with a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› head 𓁢𓏺 wearing the lotus 𓆸 headdress.

In Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–, Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 was part of the triad with Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, and was often portrayed as their child π“π“‡Œπ“€•. Father 𓇋𓏏𓀀-Mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐-Child π“π“‡Œπ“€• triads and family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 units were extremely important to Egyptian culture! Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 wasn’t commonly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 by the masses because he was usually associated with royal monuments. His association with Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ also made him somewhat feared because she was a strong and ferocious goddess π“ŠΉπ“!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Duamutef – Canopic Jar

While Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 may be the most common jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯-headed god π“ŠΉ in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, there are other gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that have the head 𓁢𓏺 of a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ as well! This is a faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό canopic jar with the head of the god π“ŠΉ Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑!

Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑, whose name π“‚‹π“ˆ– can also be written as 𓂧𓍯𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑, was one of the four Sons of Horus. Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 job was to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the stomach 𓂋𓄣𓏻 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 which is why he is commonly represented on the lid of canopic jars. The function of the canopic jar was to hold the organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 that were removed during the process of mummification.

Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 is associated with the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ, and all four Sons of Horus are associated with a cardinal direction. The goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­ was tasked with protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑. The name Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 means β€œHe who adores his mother.”

This canopic jar is dated to the Ramesside period (19th Dynasty, c. 1295–1185 B.C.E.).

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Wepwawet

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is not the only jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯-headed god π“ŠΉ in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and it can be easy to get some of them confused because they look similar! Even in ancient texts Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 and Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 can be confused with each other but they are separate deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! This is a bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of the god π“ŠΉ Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧! While the head is cut off, the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is in front of Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 on this piece!

This piece was likely used in a royal procession, as Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 was one of the symbols carried in front of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 during certain rituals/ceremonies. Wepwawet’s π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œopener of the ways,” and he was even associated with clearing the path for the sun 𓇳𓏺 to rise in the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯! This is probably why he was carried in front of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 during processions!

Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 is associated with Abydos π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š– and is likely the oldest god π“ŠΉ associated with the jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯! Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 has been depicted on objects that even pre-date the Narmer 𓆒𓍋 Palette π“π“Šƒπ“π“†±! Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 is associated with war and conquest, and leading ritual processions.

There are a couple of different variations of Wepwawet’s π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ:
𓃧
π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧
π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓁒

The first way the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written is just the determinative symbol, while the other two 𓏻 ways show the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– spelled out the same, but the determinative at the end is different!

This piece is dated to the Late Period–Ptolemaic Period (c. 664–30 B.C.E.).

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Blog

Birthday at the Museum

I am so lucky because I was able to celebrate my 30th birthday at The MET! My mom 𓅐𓏏𓁐, dad 𓇋𓏏𓀀, brother π“Œ’π“ˆ–, and sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ all came with me and I had the best day! For many birthdays, my Nonno came with us to the MET too, so it was definitely sad without him but I know he was watching down on all of us!

My brother, me and my sister at the Temple of Dendur at The Met!

We are at the Temple of Dendur! The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was actually commissioned by Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀 and building was completed by 10 B.C.E. Dendur is located in Nubia, and is just south 𓇔𓅱𓏏 of Aswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š–. Even though the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was built by Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀, it definitely follows Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ style and not Roman style. The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was primarily used to worship the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯. Since Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is considered the divine mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐 of Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ mythology, I figured this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 was appropriate for both my birthday and Mother’s Day!

πŸ“Έ (𓏏𓅱𓏏) by my Mom!!!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Khonsu

Let’s talk about Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€―!

The god π“ŠΉ Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€― is definitely getting some media attention due to Moon Knight! While this gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ pendant may look like Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 at quick glance, this is actually the god π“ŠΉ Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€―! When they are both in their falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ form, they might be mistaken with each other, especially since Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 is represented with the sun disk 𓇳𓏺 on his head 𓁢𓏺, while Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€― is represented with the moon π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή on his head 𓁢𓏺 – since both are circles, they do look similar!

Khonsu’s π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€― role in the pantheon has changed throughout time, and he was quite the bloodthirsty god π“ŠΉ in the Pyramid Texts, however in the New Kingdom he was a more peaceful god π“ŠΉ of the moon π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή. He was considered to be the son π“…­ of Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ and Mut 𓏏𓄿𓀭, and together the three of them made up the Theban triad.

While Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€― does take the form of a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„, he is usually represented as a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ wrapped in mummy bandages and wearing a crescent 𓇹 shaped necklace! He can also be depicted with his hands/arms 𓂝𓏦 restrained. That representation sounds familiar, doesn’t it?! The anthropomorphic form of Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€― definitely inspired parts of the Moon Knight comics and tv show!

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œKhonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€―β€œ is thought to come from the verb β€œto traverse” and it means β€œhe who traverses (the sky).” This piece is dated to the 19th-20th Dynasties (c. 1295–1070 B.C.E).