This sandstone ππ ±π§πππ relief is dated to the Third Intermediate Period (Dynasty 25, c. 710-670 B.C.E.) and is most likely from Karnak. It depicts the Godβs Wife of Amun, named Amunirdis I, making an offering π΅ππͺπππ¦ of Maat ππ΄π£ππ¦ to Amun-Ra ππ ππ³πΊ. Standing behind Amun-Ra ππ ππ³πΊ is the god πΉ Khonsu ππππ ±π― (god of the moon ππππΉ) who is the son π of Amun-Ra ππ ππ³πΊ and the goddess πΉπ Mut ππΏπ.
In the Third Intermediate Period, the βGodβs Wife of Amunβ was a very powerful position to be in – at some points, they even had as much power as the pharaoh ππ»! The women who had this title were either the wife ππππ, mother π ππ, or daughter π π of the pharaoh ππ» and would be in charge of performing necessary rituals at festivals and religious ceremonies.
Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
ππ ππ³πΊ – Amun-Ra
πππ – King of the
πΉπΉπΉ – Gods
ππ ππ³πΊππππΉπΉπΉ – βAmun-Ra, King of the Gods.β
Hereβs the inscription directly next to Amun-Ra:
πΌπΉ – Great God
π – Lord
πͺππ― – Sky
πΌπΉππͺππ― – βGreat God, Lord of the Sky.β