Tag: louvre

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Senemut and Neferure

This is a beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… and Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 – and I love these types of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ because they were seemingly invented by Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… himself and also give some insight into this time period!

Senemut and Neferure
A statue of Senemut holding Neferure (The Louvre)

Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…, although not of noble birth, became an extremely important figure during the reign of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓. Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… was Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ closest advisor, the tutor for her daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and the architect responsible for building her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. Putting a commoner in such a powerful position might have been a strategic move by Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 – it would pretty much guarantee that he remained loyal to her. But honestly, no one really knows how Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… climbed the social ranks so dramatically and we probably never will! 

This is a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… holding Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and many of these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ exist, however, this one is a tiny bit different than some of the other similar statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ I have seen. This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 wrapped in a blanket and being held tight by Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…. Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 has a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on her head (like royalty) and also at her feet. Was this Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on her head to show that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ intended for Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 to rule as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 after her? 

There are many differing theories on Senemut’s relationship with Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓. Many believe (including myself) that they were having an affair. There’s even graffiti from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ builders in some unfinished tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ that show that they too believed that Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 and Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… were romantically involved. Gossiping about relationships seems to have always been something that people have done! 

It has even been speculated by some, based off of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ such as the one I have pictured, that Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… was actually Neferure’s 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 father 𓇋𓏏𓀀! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of Thutmosis III from Elephantine

Today I am standing with a relief which contains the cartouches of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 from Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ! Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ is an island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί on the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί, and it forms part of the city of Aswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š– in Upper Egypt 𓇓! According to ancient Egyptian religion, Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ was where the god π“ŠΉ Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­ lived and he controlled the waters π“ˆ— of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί from caves beneath the island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί!Β 

The Temple of Satet 𓋴𓍿𓏏𓄝𓉐 (or Satis 𓋴𓄝𓏏𓏏𓀭) is on the island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί of Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ and while it began to be built during the pre-dynastic period, it was rebuilt several times, most notably during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, and then the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣. They both mostly expanded the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ and made it much larger. The relief I am standing with is from that temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰!Β 

Cartouches of Thutmosis III
Me with a relief from the Temple at Elephantine, which shows the cartouches of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Thutmosis III.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Two 𓏻 of Thutmosis III’s cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ appear on this relief, so let’s take a closer look at each of them! We are going to look at the throne name (𓇳𓏠𓆣) first! 

𓇳𓏠𓆣 Menkhepperra β€œLasting is the Manifestation of Re” 

𓇳 – Re 

𓏠 – Lasting

𓆣 – Manifestation

Let’s look at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! It’s hard to see which variant is in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 but I think it’s this one: 

π“…π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“„€π“†£ – Thutmosis III (Thoth is Born, Beautiful of Form)

𓅝 – Thoth

π“„Ÿπ“Šƒ – Born

π“„€ – Beautiful 

𓆣 – Form

Underneath the cartouches, this famous phrase β€œπ“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€π“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ appears: 

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“Š½ – Stability 

π“Œ€ – Strength 

𓇳 – Ra

𓏇 – Like

This translates to β€œLife, Stability, and Strength Like Ra.” The extra β€œπ“Ίβ€ is there as an aesthetic placeholder!Β All pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wanted to be like Ra, so it is a fitting phrase to be put after the name of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of Rameses II

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β Today we are going to look at the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“!

It always felt like my Nonno took pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ of everything in museums – I definitely learned from the best! I’m so happy that the two 𓏻 of us did take pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ of everything because all of the pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ you see on this account were either taken by me, Nonno, or sometimes another family member! Even though the glass in front of the artifacts can cause a glare and make it more difficult to take a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, I’m thankful for it now because you can see my Nonno’s reflection!Β 

This is a calcite 𓍱 (alabaster) vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ with the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II on it.Β 

Cartouches of Rameses II
Cartouches of Rameses II on a calcite vase at the Louvre.

We are going to start with the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right! This is the throne name of Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–, which is preceded by the normal royal title! 

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

𓇿𓇿 – Two Lands

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œUsermaatre setep en Ra π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–β€ translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.” Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely:

𓇳 – Ra

π“„Š – Powerful

𓁧 – Justice (Maat)

𓇳 – Ra

π“‰π“ˆ– – Chosen

Now let’s look at the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right! This is the birth name of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ which is also preceded by the normal royal title! 

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“ˆπ“₯ – Appearances 

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Ramessu mery Amun

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œRamessu mery Amun π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“β€ translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– could also be translated as β€œRa Bore Him.” Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely:

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

Rameses II’s birth name cartouche has many variants and can also be written like this: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“. Certain symbols can be substituted for each other because π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– and 𓁩 both mean Amun π“œ and 𓇳𓏺 both mean Ra.Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Lion Game Pieces and Dice

These little lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ aren’t actually statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ – they are pieces to a game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦! What really cool is that these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“π“„›π“ͺ are dated to c. 3,000 B.C.E., which is considered to be part of the Early Dynastic Period/First Dynasty.Β  These particular lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ are made out of ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ, and there are many examples of these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ in museums all around the world 𓇾𓇾!Β 

Lion Game Pieces
Lion Game Pieces (left) and ancient Egyptian dice (right) at the Louvre

The game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ that these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ are a part of us called β€œMehen π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†“/π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†—β€ or β€œSerpent” in English! Mehen π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†— was a popular game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ during the Old Kingdom and persisted from c. 3,000 B.C.E. to about c. 2,300 B.C.E. The game board consists of a coiled snake π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜ while the game pieces are the lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ (probably about six 𓏿) and several marbles. 

There are also some dice in this display – it has always fascinated me that there really haven’t been any changes to the look or even the function of dice since ancient Egyptian times! I believe the oldest set of dice were actually found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! Some believe that the dice could have been used to play the board game Senet π“Šƒπ“π“ˆ–π“ . 

Why were game boards π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ and pieces placed in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦? Was is so the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 could be entertained in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐? Was it part of a ritual? We will probably never know!Β 

It’s truly amazing how things that amuse humans (such as board games) have not changed throughout the millennia! I love seeing artifacts like this because it creates a connection to the present, and I love seeing that.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Akhenaten and Nefertiti

The love story of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— is one that definitely captures the attention of Egyptologists and non-Egyptologists alike! I have always been fascinated by these two 𓏻 and I was so excited to see this painted limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the two 𓏻 of them at the Louvre! It was one of my must-see pieces! This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 reminds me of the popular β€œcouples statues” that were prominent in burials during the Old Kingdom! β€œCouple Statues” depict a husband and wife sitting together! 

Akhenaten and Nefertiti
Limestone statue depicting Nefertiti and Akhenaten

Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— was the β€œGreat Royal Wife π“‡“π“π“ˆžπ“π“…¨β€ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This statue depicts Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— (left) and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (right) holding hands and walking forward. We know they are walking forward because one foot is placed in front of the other in a striding position. I also love the detail of the sandals 𓍿𓃀𓏏𓋸π“ͺ on their feet! They are also both wearing broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦, the necklace π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ of choice for royals and the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is also wearing the blue Khepresh crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ on his head, while Nefertiti appears to be wearing what looks like the red crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹”, but there is blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 on it! The Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is still present on the front of both crowns!Β 

What was the purpose of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾? This came from a private home, where it was used in a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“—. The common people would worship Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— because they were thought to be manifestations 𓆣𓆣𓆣 of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ here on Earth. 

The typical Amarna-style (elongated faces and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) is present here, which makes it very easy to identify these figures as Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. The Amarna art revolution is so interesting because Egyptian art didn’t change much until Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule, then there was this drastic change, and then once Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– died, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ reverted back to the traditional art style and it stated that way for the rest of the civilization. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sarcophagus of Pharaoh Rameses III

This striking red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί. Rameses III π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– was the second pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 20th Dynasty and he ruled for 32 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“» tumultuous years. His reign was marked by political, economic, and military issues. 

The most interesting part about Rameses III’s π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί reign for me is what is known as the β€œHarem Conspiracy” – Rameses III’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– secondary wife, Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“, plotted to have Rameses III π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– killed so her son π“…­ Pentawer π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“π“„Ώπ“…©π“‚‹π“Ή could become pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 instead of the chosen heir, Rameses IV π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“Šƒ. While Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“ and her conspirators (other high officials) succeeded in killing Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί, they did not succeed in establishing Pentawer π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“π“„Ώπ“…©π“‚‹π“Ή as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β  All of the conspirators were caught and put to death and Rameses IV π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“Šƒ succeeded Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί as the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β 

Sarcophagus of Rameses III
The red granite sarcophagus of Pharaoh Rameses III, which depicts the goddess Isis

Here, on the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ of Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί, Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is depicted where the feet of the deceased would be placed. Isis’ π“Š¨π“π“₯ sister Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 is usually located where the deceased’s head would be located. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is easily recognized in Egyptian art because she is normally shown with the headdress of a throne, π“Š¨, which is also one of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is shown with wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ and sitting on the hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ for β€œgold π“‹ž.” 

Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is known as a devoted wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 and mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐, but was also associated with resurrection π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± due to her role in piecing her brother/husband Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ back together after he was dismembered by their brother Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£. She is the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who was magically conceived after Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ brought Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ back to life π“‹Ή. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sistrum with the Face of Hathor

Hathor 𓉑 is one of the most prominent goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ of the Egyptian pantheon. Along with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, she is regarded as the β€œGod’s mother π“…π“π“ŠΉβ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, but is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of love π“ˆ˜π“, joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏, music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, and dance π“‚‹π“…±π“‚»- basically the fun things in life!Β 

Sistrum
Two sistrums with Hathor’s face on them at the Louvre

In some variations of Egyptian mythology, Hathor 𓉑 is also the wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, and the daughter 𓅭𓏏 of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛. Hathor 𓉑 is usually associated with cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒π“ͺ and can take the form of a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 in many forms of Egyptian art. 

The piece above is a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, which is a musical instrument from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. A sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ was a musical instrument that is similar to a modern rattle or tambourine. Since Hathor 𓉑 was the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, she was portrayed on most sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ in her human form! However, even though Hathor 𓉑 is represented as a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“, she is recognized easily because of her characteristic cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears! 

Music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ was essential to many religious rituals, so it was considered to be extremely important! There is even a word in Middle Egyptian just for β€œSistrum Player/Music Priest: π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡‹π“Œ‚β€!!! 

I love music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ and it is something that brings me so much joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏! I love how Hathor 𓉑 is associated with both of these things, because I do truly think that music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ and joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏 are linked together π“ˆ–π“Š— – and I’m sure that the ancient Egyptian people did too!

BTS 𓃀𓏏𓋴 and Il Volo 𓇋𓃭 𓆑𓍯𓃭𓍯 are my absolute favorite artists and I love π“ˆ˜π“ listening to their music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ! What I love π“ˆ˜π“ about BTS 𓃀𓏏𓋴 most are their lyrics – they have written some truly beautiful π“„€ songs!Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Osiris’ Name in a Cartouche

Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·? Usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 appears in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! While this doesn’t happen often, there are instances where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ will appear in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·!

This is a fragment of a beautifully π“„€ painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­. I would estimate its from around the later New Kingdom period or later because that’s when painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ such as these became popular!Β 

Osiris' Name in a Cartouche
Osiris’ name in a cartouche on a sarcophagus fragment

I love this piece because of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, but also because there is so much other stuff going on even though it’s small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©! The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are: π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› which translates to β€œOsiris, Lord of Eternity.” Let’s break down the symbols! 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

I haven’t seen that many pieces like this, so I just found this one so cool! Usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is what appears in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, but in this case it’s Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and his title! The top of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· also has the Atef Crown π“‹š on it, which is the crown that is associated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

The ancient Egyptians talked about β€œeternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ a lot and were actually the civilization to derive the concept of β€œeternity 𓆖.” There were two 𓏻 very common ways they expressed the word for β€œeternity” in hieroglyphic symbols:Β 

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

𓆖 – Eternity/Everlasting

There are some other popular hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that appear on this piece!! See if you can spot them! 

π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š– – Edfu

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – Great God

Both of the phrases appear symmetrically on either side of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· which is something that is common on these types of pieces! 

Let’s take a look at some of the deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that appear! If you look in the lower left, you can see part of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ with a large table of offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 in front of him. On the top left, below the winged π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒ sun disk 𓇳𓏺 is a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ which is representative of the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. On the top right, there is an ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀 which is representative of the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭. 

On either side of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, the god π“ŠΉ Hapi π“Ž›π“‚π“Šͺπ“­π“ˆ˜ (god π“ŠΉ of the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί/flooding of the Nile) is shown. There are two 𓏻 of him because if you look closely, you can see both symbolically tying up papyrus π“ π“ˆ–π“Ž›π“†° and lotus 𓆸 plants together. This was meant to represent the union of Upper 𓇓 and Lower 𓆀 Egypt! You can easily recognize Hapi π“Ž›π“‚π“Šͺπ“­π“ˆ˜ because of the papyrus flowers π“ π“ˆ–π“Ž›π“†° on his head! 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Limestone Relief of Hathor as a Cow

This little limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief of Hathor 𓉑 as a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 at the Louvre is very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© and simple but I love it! One of the reasons I love Hathor 𓉑 so much is because I love cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 – not only they adorable, even today they are a life source for humans!Β 

Hathor as a cow, with her characteristic crown on her head!

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were venerated π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ and thought of as divine π“ŠΉ long before 7000 B.C.E. – which is when archaeologists believe the domestication of cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 took place. Some historians think that the reverence for cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 in ancient Egypt started during the Neolithic times, and since cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were so vital to culture and life π“‹Ή, their importance persisted in the forms of early goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ such as Hathor 𓉑, Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ and Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­. Cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 gave milk, and thus life, just like women 𓂑𓏏𓁐π“ͺ, hence why they were so revered π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ! 

Hathor 𓉑 can be easily recognized in Egyptian art because she will either be represented as a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒, or as a beautiful woman with a solar disc 𓇳 and cow horns π“„‹ as her crown. Even when she is in cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 form, Hathor 𓉑 will have her characteristic crown on her head, as seen in this relief! As Egyptian religion evolved, the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ adopted this same crown, so it is difficult to tell them apart in later period art – that is where hieroglyphs come in handy π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Even in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, the words for cow and beautiful are linked – look below at how similar β€œcow” and β€œbeautiful” are – even β€œcow” and β€œbeautiful woman” are the same word – only the determinative different so it would have been pronounced the same! I think this connection to language just demonstrates how important cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were to the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 – Cow

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓁐 – Beautiful Woman

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – Beautiful

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on this particular relief are cut off, but β€œπ“ŽŸπ“β€ is the word for all, or Lady/Mistress!Β 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Imhotep Statues at the Louvre

I love π“ˆ˜π“ seeing Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in museums, and I am so lucky to have been able to see so many beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in museums around the world with my Nonno! Due to my Nonno’s enthusiasm, it’s not just me that loves Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, but the whole family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 loves π“ˆ˜π“ these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ too and can point them out immediately! Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is always depicted as a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ seated in a chair, usually with a piece of papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 in his lap, so he is quite easy to spot once you know what to look for!

These Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are at the Louvre, and are dated to the Ptolemaic Period, which is when Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ, especially by the Greeks. Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was one of the few non-royal Egyptians to be deified. During his lifetime (two thousand 𓆼𓆼 years before the Ptolemaic Period), Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is credited with designing the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Djoser’s 𓂦 Step Pyramid (the first ever pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴) at Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–.

The larger of these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ is interesting because it is made of graywacke π“·π“‚‹π“ƒ€π“π“ˆ– stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ instead of bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦! Most Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are made out of bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦, so it was so cool to see Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ depicted in a different medium (plus I love rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦). There is also some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the papyrus scroll 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 on Imhotep’s π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ lap, and while I can’t read them all because it’s hard to see, one part says β€œFor the Soul of Imhotep π“ˆ–π“‚“π“ˆ–π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ.” 

What I love π“ˆ˜π“ about the smaller π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is that there is an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ on the base! It’s a little hard to see, but Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Imhotep (his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–translates to β€œHe Who Comes in Peace.”)

𓏙 – Given

π“‹Ή – Life

𓅱𓍑 – Prosperity/Wellbeing