Tag: thutmosis iii

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyph Translation of a Statue of Thutmosis III

TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, we are going to be looking at an inscriptionΒ π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–Β that is on a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣.

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄠𓋴 depicts him in an offering position. An offering position is when the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is depicted as kneeling, with nemset jarsΒ π“Œπ“Œπ“ŒΒ in his hands. The only being a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 would kneel for is another god π“ŠΉ, and the god π“ŠΉ that Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄠𓋾𓆄 is making an offeringΒ π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to is Amun-RaΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί. Based on the inscriptionΒ π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–, this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was probably intended to be placed in the Temple of Amun-RaΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“ΊΒ at Karnak.Β 

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

Since the directional hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are pointing to the right, we will start reading from the right! Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are always read from top to bottom, so we will start with the top line too!

π“‹Ή – Life/Living

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – Perfect God

𓇳𓏠𓆣 – Menkhepperra (Lasting is the Manifestation of Ra)

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

𓅝𓄠𓋾𓆄 – Thutmosis (Thoth is Born, Ruler of Maat)

Here is the bottom line (we will also start reading from the right):

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ίπ“€­ – Amun-Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Thrones

π“‡“π“π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ – King of the Gods

π“ŒΈπ“‡Œ – Beloved

π“‹Ή – Life

𓆖 – Eternal/Eternity

So here is the full inscription: β€œLife, the Perfect God, Menkhepperra, Son of Ra, Thutmosis, Beloved of Amun-Ra, Lord of the Thrones, King of the Gods, Eternal Life.” 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dated to the reign π“‹Ύ of Thutmosis III π“…π“„ π“‹Ύπ“†„ (c. 1479–1425 B.C.E.) which was during the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom). 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Thutmosis III

This striking statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the great generalΒ π“€Žπ“¦, PharaohΒ ThutmosisΒ III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 is hidden away in one of the minor galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I find this piece to be so beautiful π“„€ because the whiteΒ π“Œ‰π“†“π“‡³Β limestoneΒ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ (it honestly looks like marble to me – but marble is metamorphosed limestone)Β contrasts so well with the blackΒ π“†Žπ“…“Β paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 on the nemesΒ π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄Β head cloth and the eyes 𓁹𓏦. Some redΒ π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…ŸΒ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 can even still be seen on the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 that is onΒ ThutmosisΒ III’s 𓅝𓄠𓋴 forehead!

Thutmosis III π“…π“„ π“‹΄ is one of Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– most successful pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦. He was only three 𓏼 years old when his father Thutmosis II π“‡³π“‰»π“†£π“ˆ– passed away, and was a co-regent with Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ before she completely took over the throne. During her rule π“‹Ύ, Thutmosis III π“‡³π“ π“†£ was a member of the military and gained valuable experience that allowed him to be such a successful pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. He ruled π“‹Ύ Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for 54 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“½ years, and was a very accomplished general π“€Žπ“¦, having led troops into battle himself. Thutmosis III π“…π“„ π“‹΄ has been rumored to have never lost a battle! 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was found during excavations of Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Deir el-Bahri. The face of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is not the original, it is a cast; the original face is in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo! The MET then made a cast of the torso of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, and that is now at the Egyptian Museum as well! So each museum has a real part of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, and a cast of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾! The face and torso of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 were not found at the same time, hence why they ended up in different places! 

This piece is dated to the 18th Dynasty, c. 1479–1425 B.C.E. (New Kingdom). 

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Egyptian Artifacts

“Nefer” Broad Collar

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑 – How beautiful this is! Look at thisΒ beautiful π“„€ broad collarΒ π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹!Β 

The broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ was the necklace of choice by both the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, and the nobility/wealthy! This broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ is unique because traditionally they were made with faience π“‹£π“ˆ–𓏏𓏸𓏼 beads while this particular broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ is made of gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ and glass π“‹£π“ˆ–𓏏𓏸𓏼! Fun fact: glass and faience are the same word in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: π“‹£π“ˆ–𓏏𓏸𓏼!

If you look closely at this broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹, you will see a familiar hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbol: π“„€! The β€œheart and windpipe 𓄀” symbol is a triliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œnfr” which in modern times we pronounce like β€œnefer.” The word β€œnfr 𓄀” translates to β€œbeautiful” or β€œgood” and is a very popular symbol not only in hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ phrases such as titles, but also in names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! 

So basically, this broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ is just saying β€œbeautiful 𓄀” over and over and over again! Maybe the broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ was supposed to bring good π“„€ wishes to the wearer, or just make them  even more beautiful π“„€! Isn’t that what nice jewelry is all about, even in modern times?!

The MET has this piece titled β€œBroad Collar of Nefer Amulets” and it belonged to one of the foreign wives of pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Thutmosis III π“‡³π“ π“†£, as that is the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ the piece was found in. This piece is dated to the 18th Dynasty (c. 1504–1450 B.C.E.). 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Swivel Scarab Rings of Thutmosis III


I am the type of person that loves jewelry, and a lot of the jewelry that I wear is inspired by ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! Rings are my absolute favorite type of jewelry to wear, and I love looking at the jewelry of the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ in museums! I may be biased, but I think that Egyptian jewelry is the most beautiful type of jewelry! The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 sure knew how to accessorize!

These scarab 𓆣 rings bear the cartouche of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣. Scarab 𓆣 rings like these were extremely popular during the New Kingdom. I love how the different colors of the scarab 𓆣 pair so beautifully with the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰. Also these are swivel rings, meaning they spin! How cool is that??!!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Scarabs of Hathsepsut and Thutmosis III

Here are some of the scarabs that have both the names of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣.

The three 𓏼 scarabs at the top are inscribed with the cartouche of Thutmosis III, 𓇳𓏠𓆣 while the scarab at the bottom has both of their cartouches. It’s very interesting to see objects with both of their cartouches on it, and these would most likely date from their joint rule before Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 declared herself as the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.

Something that has always been crazy to me is how detailed and beautiful π“„€ the inscriptions on such small objects can be! I know that the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ used molds to make small objects a lot of the time, but the craftsmanship is incredibly impressive! I’m such a bad artist and have zero artistic talent, so I have so much respect π“ˆ™π“†‘π“„… for the people who created all of these beautiful works of art that I get to study and admire.

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Stela of Hathsepsut and Thutmosis III

My Nonno took this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the StelaΒ π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰ΈΒ of HatshepsutΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺΒ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 for me! While we did see it at the Vatican Museum together, he always made sure to take a different picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 for me each time he saw it because he knew how much I love it!Β 

This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ depicts Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III π“‡³π“ π“†£ during their joint reign. Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is wearing the blue crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ and making an offering of nemset jars π“Œπ“Œπ“Œ to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓇳𓏺. The stela π“Ž—𓅱𓆓𓉸 was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–!

The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsut’s entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak. 

Let’s take a closer look at all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! The names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the bottom of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!

Horus Name: π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.”

Nebty Name: 𓅒𓇅𓏏𓆳𓆳𓆳 – β€œWadjet renput” translates to β€œFlourishing of Years.”

Golden Horus Name: π“…‰π“ŠΉπ“π“ˆπ“¦ – β€œNetjeret khau” translates to β€œDivine of Appearances.”

Throne Name: π“‡³π“¦π“‚“ – β€œMaatkare” translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” 

Birth Name: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό – β€œKhnemet Amun Hatshepsut” translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. A β€œvariant” is just a different way to spell out a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Thutmosis III

Not going to lie, I have had a love/hate relationship with Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 my whole life πŸ˜‚ – I know that sounds weird to say about a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 who I clearly have never met, but it’s the only way I can describe it!! This piece is in the MET, and the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are inscribed so beautifully on it! Definitely very eye-catching!

When I first started learning about Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 as a kid, I was (and still am!) so completely fascinated by her and how she became the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Since Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 was a child when Thutmosis II π“‡³π“‰»π“†£π“ˆ– died, Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 became the co-regent, until she named herself the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 and pretty much β€œtook the throne.” Since females were never in line for the throne, even though Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 was the daughter of Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 and his main queen π“‡“π“π“π“ˆž, she was never in line to be pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.

So why my love/hate relationship with Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣? Well, for the longest time it was thought that after Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 death, when he relcaimed the throne, Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 had Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 monuments destroyed and her name erased from as many things as possible. Did he actually do this? Scholars aren’t sure it happened to the extent that it was once thought. But I don’t think we will ever have an answer.

What were some of Thutmosis III’s 𓇳𓏠𓆣 accomplishments? He was a great military leader and conquered all of Syria. This is in great contrast to Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓, who focused more on trade and economic endeavors than military campaigns.

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouches of Thutmosis III – Menkheperra

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to look at one of the many cartouches of Thutmosis III!Β 

Like many pharaohs, Thutmosis III had many different cartouches, and then different variants of those cartouches! Today we are going to be looking more closely at the cartouche of his Throne Name: π“‡³π“ π“†£. This is a great cartouche to be able to recognize, because I see it more than his birth name cartouche! 

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

The β€œπ“‡³ sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for β€œra” or β€œre,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun, day, and time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.”

The β€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a phonogram sign. It is a biliteral sign, which means that it represents two consonants. The β€œ 𓏠” is associated with the sound β€œmn” which could be pronounced like β€œmen,” β€œmun,” β€œmon,” etc. 

The β€œscarab beetle 𓆣” is a phonogram sign. It is a triliteral sign, which means it represents three consonants. The β€œπ“†£β€ is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«pr” which could have been pronounced like β€œkheper.” The β€œ scarab beetle 𓆣” is also both an ideogram and determinative for the word β€œscarab beetle π“π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣.” 

So all together, the Throne Name cartouche of Thutmosis III π“‡³π“ π“†£ would be pronounced like β€œMenkheperra.”

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Three Golden Bracelets from the Tomb of Three Wives of Thutmosis III

These are three 𓏼 golden π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛π“ͺ /armlets π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Ž‘π“π“…±π“₯. They were found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of three 𓏼 minor wives 𓂑𓏏𓁐π“ͺ of Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣. While some of the inlaid glass is missing, these bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛π“ͺ are in incredible condition. I love how the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯, red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ and gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ all looks together!

Inside the bracelets, are the titles and cartouches of Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣. The engravings were put inside the bracelet 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛 so his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– would always be close to his wives 𓂑𓏏𓁐π“ͺ. I find this cool because even in modern times, it’s very also popular to have engravings with names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ or initials on the backs of rings or bracelets! It’s incredible to me how certain ideas and styles have persisted through time!

Translation time!

𓅭𓇳(𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣)𓆖 – β€œSon of Ra, Thutmosis III*, For all Eternity (or Everlasting)”

π“„€π“ŠΉ(𓇳𓏠𓆣)𓏙𓋹 – β€œThe Great God, Menkheperra, Given Life”

*this cartouche (𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣) is a variant of Thutmosis III’s birth name. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is usually written as (𓅝𓄠𓋴) but this particular variant was used after Year 21 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ί of his reign. (𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣) translates to β€œThoth is born, beautiful of form” while the regular birth name cartouche (𓅝𓄠𓋴) translates to just β€œThoth is born.” His throne name (𓇳𓏠𓆣) Menkheperra translates to β€œLasting is the form of Ra.”

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Red Granite Statue of Thutmosis III

I’m going to post another British Museum picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 because I’m nostalgic and I like remembering how amazing that day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 was!

This red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄠𓋴 is definitely an interesting one because it actually has the cartouches of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ carved into the chest! This is what Egyptologists call usurping – meaning that Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ took statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ and monuments from his predecessors, erased their name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and put his own!

Egyptologists don’t think this was done out of disrespect for the previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, instead it was just Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ promoting his own rule.

Fun fact! Much like modern geologists, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ differentiated between granite and red granite rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦! How do we know?! The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are different:

Granite – π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ
Red Granite – π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ

I love rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ and geology so much! I actually got interested in geology as a kid because I wanted to know what all of the statues were made out of!