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Egyptian Artifacts

The Sarcophagus of Artemidora

Details of the Winged Scarab on the Sarcophagus of Artemidora at The MET

This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows the details on a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ that belonged to a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Artemidora who lived in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the Roman Period (A.D 90-100). The gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰, glass, stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ, and painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 details on this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ are stunning π“„€!

One of my favorite pieces of imagery from Egyptian art is the Winged Scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣! The wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ allowed the scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 to join the rising and setting of the sun 𓇳𓏺 each day – which to the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ represented the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The cycle was central to the ancient Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ religion! As a god π“ŠΉ who was constantly reborn, Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 was associated with resurrection! On this sarcophagus, we can see the sun 𓇳𓏺 represented above the scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣; this was because Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 used to carry the sun 𓇳𓏺 across the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯!

Below the winged π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒ scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣, we can see the shen 𓍢 symbol! The shen 𓍢 symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness, infinity/eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›, and is also a symbol of protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ. The shen 𓍢 was first seen during the Old Kingdom, and was a very popular symbol throughout Egyptian history; Nekhbet π“‡‘π“ƒ€π“π“…π“ŽŸ and Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ are frequently seen holding them!

Cool Fact: the wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ on the scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 are not those of a beetle, but are actually the wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ of a bird! Also, I just love the painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 details on these wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦; it’s stunning π“„€!

(from Left) Nephthys, Anubis, Horus, and Isis on the Sarcophagus of Artemidora at The MET

I really like this scene because you can see Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ standing with the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the deceased who is laying on a bed with a lion design. Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 arms are raised, and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ is holding the traditional crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ…. Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ, and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ is my sister’s π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ favorite! I always like seeing Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ together π“ˆ–π“Š— for that reason – it reminds me of me and my sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“!

To the left of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 and to the right of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 are the actual sisters π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“π“¦ in Egyptian mythology and in funerary scenes are usually depicted together!

You can tell which goddess π“ŠΉπ“ is which based off of the crowns on their head 𓁢𓏺! The crown on Nephthys’ head is 𓉠 which is the hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ that’s part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and the crown on Isis’ head is π“Š¨ which also corresponds with her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! If you also look at the text that is next to each of them, their names are also written – it’s almost like a caption!

See if you can spot Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Canopic Jar Chest – Hieroglyphs

The Canopic Jar Chest at The MET

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!! These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that we will be looking at are from a Canopic Jar Case, which was put in a tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰! It’s function was to hold all four 𓏽 of the Canopic Jars together in one place! This case is gorgeous π“„€ – I mean, look at those stars 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼𓏦!!! The star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 design is a favorite of mine; it’s even my phone case!

Since the directional symbols are pointing towards the right, we will start reading from the right! The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the top line of the case say:

𓇋π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated/Revered
𓐍𓂋 – Before
π“Œπ“π“‡― – Nut
π“‹‚π“Š΅ – Ukhotep
π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

Nut can also be written as β€œπ“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­β€ – in the inscription above, the determinative is missing! β€œπ“Œπ“π“‡―β€ could also be translated as β€œsky,” but in the case of this inscription, translating β€œ π“Œπ“π“‡―β€ as the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ makes more sense. Also, considering the star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 decorations, mentioning the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky π“Œπ“π“‡― also makes perfect sense!

The symbol β€œπ“Š΅β€ has many uses and meanings; it can be used alone to represent words/ideas, part of names, but it can also be combined with other symbols to also represent those same words/ideas. For example, the more complete way to write β€œ Satisfied, Content, At Peace, Offering” is β€œπ“Š΅π“π“Šͺ.β€œ

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Emperor Augustus

The Emperor Augustus depicted on the Temple of Dendur at the MET

Here is the Emperor Augustus π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“π“‚‹! He doesn’t look like an Emperor though – he looks like a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Augustus is seen wearing the Atef crown π“‹š, a false beard, a broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹, armlets π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Ž‘π“π“…±π“¦, and bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛𓏦. These are all features that are associated with Egyptian pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, even though Augustus was Roman.

In this sunken relief, Augustus π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“π“‚‹ is making an offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 of Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ to another god π“ŠΉ. Augustus had many temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“¦ constructed that adhered to Egyptian religion and culture instead of the Roman/Hellenistic ways. This was a strategy that Augustus used to legitimize himself as the ruler of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and gain the respect π“ˆ™π“†‘π“„… of the local population. This particular image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is from the Temple of Dendur, which is at the MET.

To me, what is most interesting though are the cartouches of Augustus! Unlike the Greek rulers of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– that spelled out their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ using phonogram symbols, Augustus went a different route when having his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– represented in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can see two 𓏻 (of his three 𓏼) cartouches:

π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“π“‚‹ Augustus (Autokrator)
π“ˆŽπ“‡Œπ“Šƒπ“‚‹π“Šƒπ“‹Ήπ“†– Augustus (Kaisaros)

β€œAutokrator” is the Greek word for β€œEmperor,” while β€œKaisaros” is the Greek word for β€œCaesar.”

Augustus chose to have various words for β€œruler” as his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. Again, this was probably a way to assert his power as the first Emperor of the Roman Empire. He didn’t want anyone to question his right to rule!

A close-up of Augustus’ cartouche on the Temple of Dendur at the MET

Here is another variant of Augustus’ cartouche:
𓉐𓉻𓀀

This cartouche I have always found so fascinating because it is literally the word for pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 in Middle Egyptian plus the determinative sign π“€€. Most names (even when spelled out with phonograms) are followed by a determinative for a male π“€€ person or female 𓁐 person. By choosing to have his name depicted in this way, Augustus was literally calling himself the Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

In Middle Egyptian the word for pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 literally translates to β€œGreat House. β€œ this is a direct reference to the palace where the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 resided during his/her rule.

𓉐 – House
𓉻 – Great

Augustus chose to have various synonyms for β€œruler 𓋾” as his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (Emperor, Caesar, Pharaoh). Again, this was probably a way to assert his power as the first Emperor of the Roman Empire. He didn’t want anyone to question his right to rule!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

“The Two Lands are in a Festival of Light”

“The Two Lands are in a Festival of Light” at the MET

I absolutely love this piece and I have been very excited to write about it! The relief that I am highlighting is part of a larger display at the MET called β€œThe Two Lands are in a Festival of Light,” and they were originally from the palace π“‡“π“π“ˆ–π“‰π“Ί walls at Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. 

Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is my second favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (HatshepsutΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is obviously my first favorite) and I love to see statues, reliefs, or anything from the Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– Period! I find everything to do with Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– so interesting because he was the β€œtroublemaker” pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 who completely changed everything about the Egyptian religion (polytheistic to monotheistic), moved the capital to Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–, and generally was very much disliked by the Egyptian people π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ.Β 

On this relief, we can see a large boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž on the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. At the front of the boat is a central structure that houses Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–, Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ and one of the princesses (who is very small and difficult to see). Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– can be seen striking down an enemy. The Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ is shining above Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and sending light rays down to him.Β 

“The Two Lands are in a Festival of Light” at the MET – closeup of Akhenaten (right) and Nefertiti (left)

Since these were on the palace π“‡“π“π“ˆ–π“‰π“Ί walls, it makes sense that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– would want himself portrayed as very strong and striking down enemies. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is usually always depicted with his family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦, so enemy smiting was clearly a royal family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 affair! The depiction of the royal family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 from this time period is fascinating because usually pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 were depicted alone, however in reliefs, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–, Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­, and the princesses are always shown together π“ˆ–π“Š—.Β