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Egyptian Artifacts

Sunken Relief of Ptolemy II

This sunken relief in granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ depicts Ptolemy II Philadelphos π“‡³π“„Šπ“‚“π“Ίπ“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜. Although the Ptolemaic Period of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– had Greek/Macedonian rulers, they were still depicted in the ways of classical Egyptian art. This relief shows Ptolemy II π“‡³π“„Šπ“‚“π“Ίπ“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜ in full Egyptian fashion – he is wearing the nemes headdress π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ with a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on the forehead.

Above Ptolemy II’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“‚“π“Ίπ“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜ head 𓁢𓏺, you can see the hieroglyphs β€œπ“ŽŸπ“Šͺ𓏏𓇯” which translates to β€œlord of the sky” or β€œlord of the heavens.” This title is usually associated with the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–.

Above his raised arms, you can see the bottom of a cartouche, which most likely held Ptolemy II’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. Userkara π“‡³π“„Šπ“‚“π“Ίπ“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜ β€œThe strong one of the soul of Ra, beloved of Amun” was Ptolemy II’s throne name, while his birth name in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ was simply π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄ Ptolemaios. It was not uncommon for the Greek rulers to phonetically spell their names with the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! It can honestly make them very easy to read for people who are just beginning to learn!

This piece is from the Ptolemaic Period (c. 282-246 B.C.E.).