Tag: amenhotep iii

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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!

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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!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Amenhotep III

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to speak some more about the very interesting the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† who ruled π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ during the 18th Dynasty!

Amenhotep III
Head of pharaoh Amenhotep III at the British Museum

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“‡“) – over 250 π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† have been currently identified. He was a prolific builder, undertaking many building projects at once and the largest statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of himself stand over 60 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† feet tall – these are now known as the Colossi of Memnon. His reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ is considered to be peak prosperity – economically and artistically for Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–.Β 

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳, I spoke how the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were made of black π“†Žπ“…“ granodiorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ to represent rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. However, all statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† himself were made of either red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ (like the one in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏), or quartzite to represent his close connections to the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛, since these stones π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺπ“ͺ are much lighter in color. 

Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† wanted to be associated with Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and his other manifestations. He was often referred to as β€œheir of Ra” or β€œRa’s chosen one” and even the β€œEye of Ra” just like Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ herself – I guess the usual β€œSon of Ra 𓅭𓇳” wasn’t enough for Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! Again, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was probably heavily influenced by his father’s obsession with solar 𓇳 deities  π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ which paved the way for Atenism. 

This particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† in a very youthful appearance. He is wearing both the white crown π“„€π“‹‘ of Upper Egypt 𓇓 and the red crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹” of Lower Egypt 𓆀 with the characteristic Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on the front of the crowns. This piece was found in the Temple of Mut 𓏏𓅑𓁐 at Karnak. 

𓏏𓅱𓏏 πŸ“Έ by Nonno! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amenhotep III and Sekhmet

I have spoken a lot about Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, because she is my Nonno’s favorite goddess π“ŠΉπ“/religious figure in the Egyptian pantheon! Today we are going to look more into the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ that can be found in museums all around the world 𓇾𓇾! These particular Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ I am with are at the British Museum, but there are a lot at The MET, Louvre, and Vatican Museums too!Β 

Amenhotep III and Sekhmet
Me with statues of Sekhmet, which were commissioned during the reign of pharaoh Amenhotep III at the British Museum.

During his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† had over 730 π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ made! That is almost two statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ for every π“ŽŸ day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 of the year! Most of the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ you see that look like the ones in my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above are from this time period!

So why Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“? This is where stuff gets really interesting – Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ was often referred to as the β€œEye of Ra,” because she was created from the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 eye 𓁹𓏏𓏀 when he looked upon the Earth 𓇾𓇾. The obsession with solar deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ didn’t just happen when Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– came to the throne – Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was most likely influenced by his father 𓇋𓏏𓀀, Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! The worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 of the god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 (and gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ like Sobek-Ra) hit its peak during the reign of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†. 

All of the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ are made of black π“†Žπ“…“ granodiorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ, which is not just a coincidence! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the color black π“†Žπ“…“ was associated with rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. These statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were most likely connected to the jubilees π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ (The Heb Sed festival), and contain various epithets on them, such as: 

“The son of Ra Amenhotep, ruler of Thebes beloved of Sekhmet, the great, mistress of the sky, for eternity.”

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Ushabti Box of Yuya

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

This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is of the ushabti box (and one of the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures) of a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ named Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό. The purpose of the ushabit box was to store the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person. Since people who could afford it were buried with over 365 ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures, the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ needed a place to store them in the tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ so the ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ wouldn’t be all over the place!

Although Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and his wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 were not of royal lineage, their daughter 𓅭𓏏 Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— became the β€œKing’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“,” (queen) of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž .Β 

This part of the 18th Dynasty when when all of the β€œfun” began! Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 were Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– grandparents and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ great-parents! Due to their daughter’s 𓅭𓏏 status, Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 were given an elaborate burial in the area that is now known as the Valley of the Kings (KV46). 

This ushabti box is made of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 that has been beautifully 𓄀𓆑𓂋 painted π“žπ“œ and inscribed π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– with hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ.

The ushabti box (back) and ushabti figure (front) of Yuya at the MET
The ushabti box (back) and ushabti figure (front) of Yuya at the MET

Let’s take a closer look at the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ on the ushabti box!Β 

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated

𓐍𓂋 – Before 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽΏπ“‡Œ – Favored One/Praised One

π“ˆ– – of

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Perfect God 

π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό – Yuya 

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

𓐍𓂋 – Before

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – Great God

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that appear on this ushabti box are very typical of funerary inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that appear on many different kinds of funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ throughout Egyptian history.

This ushabti box is from the 18th Dynasty and is dated to c. 1390–1352 B.C.E. The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figure in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 also belongs to Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό!Β The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is inscribed with the “Shabti Spell,” which is the magic spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› which makes the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figure come alive to perform a specific task for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in the Afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Large Granite Statue of Queen Tiye

This large granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— has quite the story and journey through history! It’s amazing how some pieces can start off in one place, but end up in a completely different location! Let’s take a closer look at this striking piece that is currently at the Vatican Museum, and follow her journey from Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– to Rome!

Queen Tiye at the Vatican Museum

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 definitely resembles other works of Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— – from the characteristic wig to the distinct face shape and design. In my opinion, there is no doubt that this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was originally Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“—. Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was married to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  and possessed the title of β€œKing’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“,” which pretty much meant that she was his favorite wife. Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was actually the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ grandmother!Β 

After some time had passed, the great usurper, Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“, recognized the beauty 𓄀𓆑𓂋 of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 and brought it to his mortuary temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ where he had it dedicated to his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 (and wife of Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠), Tuya 𓏏𓅱𓇋𓄿𓁗. β€œUsurping” was a popular practice where pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ would take old statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 π“ͺ from previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and put their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ on it. Think of it as ancient plagiarism! 

Then, the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 made its way out of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and to Rome! For a long time, the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 adorned the β€œGardens of Sallust,” which belonged to the Emperor Caligula π“ˆπ“‹Ύπ“©π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ŽΌπ“ƒ­π“‚§π“‚‹π“° at the time. Many Roman Emperors liked Egyptian art, and some (like Caligula π“ˆπ“‹Ύπ“©π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ŽΌπ“ƒ­π“‚§π“‚‹π“° and Hadrian π“‰”π“π“‚‹π“‚π“ˆ–π“Šƒπ“ˆŽπ“Šƒπ“‚‹) had pieces from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– brought to Rome to adorn their gardens π“Ž›π“Šƒπ“Šͺπ“ˆˆπ“₯ or estates. This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was then re-discovered in 1714 and was brought to the Vatican Museums in 1839. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Kohl Tube of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a Kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ Tube! Kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ was a type of eye paint (makeup) that was very popular amongst the ancient Egyptians! This tube would have contained the kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€, and then a wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 or faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό stick would have been used to apply it! The kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ tube itself is also made of faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, hence the gorgeous blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ color! This piece is dated to the 18th Dynasty (c. 1390-1353 B.C.E.).

For me, the most interesting part of an artifact is always going to be the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– on the object! Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – Perfect God 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – Nebmaatra (Amenhotep III’s Throne Name)

π“‡“π“ˆžπ“ – King’s Great Wife

π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— – Tiye

π“‹Ήπ“˜ – May She Live!

Some of you may notice when looking at this inscription that Queen Tiye’s π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is in a cartouche too! Sometimes, the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the queens who held the title of the β€œKing’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“β€ also appeared in cartouches to demonstrate their importance to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was actually the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ grandmother! Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— and Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  seem to have been married by the second year of his reign. The reign of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  was an extremely prosperous and successful one, because it was at this time that Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– had reached its peak artistic and international power (even though Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  only participated in one military battle himself). His success had been set up by the works of the previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, such as Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 and then Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  own father, Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼.Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Boat of Mutemwia

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dedicated to Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž who was a minor wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 of Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼 and mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž .Β 

This statue was originally meant to show Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž on a sacred boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž(her body has been broken off). The boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž has the goddess Hathor 𓉑 on the front. The sides of the boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž are inscribed with the name and titles of Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž along with a carving of the Wedjat π“‚€. Cartouches showing the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž and Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  are also inscribed on the boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž. 

Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž held many titles such as the β€œGreat King’s Wife His Beloved π“‡“π“π“π“ˆžπ“…©π“‚‹π“π“ˆ˜π“†‘,” β€œLady of the Two Lands π“Ž›π“Œπ“π“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ,” β€œGod’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…,” and β€œKing’s Mother 𓇓𓅐.” The latter two titles mean the same thing – since the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž ) was a god π“ŠΉ on Earth 𓇾𓇾. 

Something interesting though that these titles listed above were only used after the death of Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼. It seems that Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  elevated his mother’s 𓅐𓏏𓁐 status when he became the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. In the Luxor Temple, Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž is depicted in the reliefs of the divine birth of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – and these reliefs are almost an exact copy of the ones from the divine birth of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. 

The boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž is made of the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ granodiorite, which is an igneous (volcanic) rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ that is kind of the mix of both granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ and diorite. Granodiorite is an intrusive rock, meaning it formed underground, which also makes it a very strong and durable piece of material! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Names of Pharaoh Merenptah (Usurped Statue Part II)

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

TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³Β we are going to be taking a closer look at one of the statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ that MerenptahΒ π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉΒ usurped from Amenhotep IIIΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! There are definitely some familiar hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ phrases here that some of you will recognize!! This statue is at the π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ MET!

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ here show three 𓏼 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦: the Horus Name, the Throne Name and the Given Name! Since the symbols are pointing to the left, let’s start reading from the left!Β 

π“‚‘π“ƒ’π“Ž›π“‚π“€ π“…“π“π“†„ – β€œThe Strong Bull Who Rejoiced in Truth” (Horus Name)

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“žπ“©π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ – β€œThe Soul of Ra, Beloved of Amun” (Ba en Ra, mery Amun) (Throne Name)

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – Lord of Appearances 

π“°π“§π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“·π“Ί – β€œBeloved of Ptah, Maat is Satisfied” (Mer en Ptah hotep her Maat) (Birth Name) 

Now let’s look at the bottom line of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

π“ŒΊπ“žπ“©π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ – Ba en Ra, mery Amun (Throne Name)

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – Lord of Appearances 

π“ŒΊπ“°π“§π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“·π“Ί – Merenptah (Birth Name) 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŒΉ – Beloved 

𓋍 – this symbol on the side of the statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ is thought to be representative of the unification of Upper π“‡“ and Lower π“†€ Egypt.

Something else that is interesting is that there are name π“‚‹π“ˆ– variants on the same statue π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾! Name π“‚‹π“ˆ– variants were just different ways to write the same name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Usurped Statues of Amenhotep III (Part 1)

I must admit – I am very guilty of walking past these statuesΒ π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺΒ at the MET a lot because usually I want to go straight for the Temple of Dendur!! These pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 are from May, but when I went to the MET earlier this month I got some close up photos 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of these gorgeous π“„€ statuesΒ π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ, so I’m going to do a bit of a series on them! TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³Β we will learn the history, and then we will read the hieroglyphsΒ π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺΒ tomorrow 𓇼𓄿𓇳!Β 

These two 𓏻 statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ originally belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†. While these two 𓏻 statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ now adorn the entrance to the museum exhibit of the Temple of Dendur, they originally were located at Amenhotep III’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ dedicated to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓇳𓏺 at Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– (modern day Luxor). Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† ruled π“‹Ύ Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the 18th Dynasty. 

Then in the 19th Dynasty, along came the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Merenptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! Merenptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ was the son π“…­ of Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“, and like father π“‡‹π“π“€€ like son π“…­, Merenptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ usurped the statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ of other pharaohs π“‰π“‰»π“¦ and put his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– on them! 

Usurping can be thought of as ancient plagiarism, and was very common during this time period. While I equate usurpation to plagiarism to put it in a modern context, the purpose wasn’t to defame the previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 of EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The purpose was for the common pharaoh to promote his own rule π“‹Ύ, and what better way to do that than to use statuesΒ π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ, templesΒ π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“¦, etc. that already are made!?

It is always funny to see a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾 that has the facial features of one pharaoh π“‰π“‰», but has the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of another pharaoh π“‰π“‰» on it! Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ did this all the time – that man’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is everywhere!