Tag: gods and goddesses

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Deities Maat and Osiris-Iah

These two 𓏻 bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ pieces at the Petrie Museum are both such nice representations of Egyptian deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! Bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were popular during the later period of Egyptian history, and there are so many of them for two 𓏻 reasons! The first 𓏃 is that bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ preserves really well so the pieces aren’t as subject to breakdown and the second is because bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ pieces were mass produced! Both of these bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are dated to the 26th Dynasty.Β 

Osiris-Iah (left) and Maat (right)

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 at the forefront of the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦. Not only was Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of truth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„, fact, law, order and justice π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„π“œ, β€œmaat” was also a concept and a way of life in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ was also the balance and order in the whole universe. Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ is usually shown as a woman with a feather 𓆄 on her head.Β  Her most important role was in the judgement of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱.

Some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ fun! The words for β€œMaat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦,” β€œtruth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„,” andΒ β€œjustice π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„π“œβ€ are super similar!Β 

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in the back of the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is of the combination god π“ŠΉ Osiris-Iah. I know the description says β€œOsiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­,” but the crown on the head of the deity π“ŠΉ, which shows the moon and a crescent underneath, leads me to believe this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is Osiris-Iah. 

While Iah π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή is the god π“ŠΉ of the moon π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή, he seems to be the adult version of the god π“ŠΉ Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€―(another lunar god π“ŠΉ), and over time seemed to take over the lunar aspect of Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭. So why was Iah π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή assimilated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­? This is most likely due to the monthly lunar cycle, which seems to follow a birth π“„Ÿ – death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 – rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± cycle. This cycle was the backbone to the Egyptian religion, and was always linked back to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

Some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ fun! The words for the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ β€œIah” and β€œmoon” are the same – π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή!Β 

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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 

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Soul of Pe Statue at the Vatican

The Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š–

The Soul of Pe statue at the Vatican Museum

This bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ kneeling statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ deity π“ŠΉ is referred to as the β€œSoul of Pe” and it is actually another way to depict the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Also known as β€œHorus of Pe,” these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ became popular during the Late Period, after 600 B.C.E. 

The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and refer to the ancestors of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– symbolized the predynastic rulers of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were thought of as very powerful deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that not only aided the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, but also the current living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– and Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– were both cities in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and were around as early as the predynastic period.  Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– was originally the cult center for the god π“ŠΉ Horus in Upper Egypt 𓇓, however, Pe a town in Lower Egypt 𓆀, was awarded to Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ by Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 after his eye was injured during his battle with Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£ for the throne of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

In this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­/Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is shown in a characteristic kneeling position with one arm raised, with the other resting on his chest. This is known as a β€œjubilation position,” which is meant to show the Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– celebrating the rising of the sun 𓆄𓅱𓇢. The Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is usually represented as Horus the Falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„, while the Soul of Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– is usually represented as a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯. 

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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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Wooden Statue of Anubis

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is one of my favorites! One of the reasons it is so special is because the piece is in such good condition. The black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 is still clearly visible and the wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 is so well preserved. Wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 is an organic material, and even in the dry heat of the desert π“…Ÿπ“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ it can still break down over thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of years! My Nonno always pointed out every wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 piece in a museum and told us how significant it was that the wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 was preserved. Now, it is something I always look for.Β 

This particular Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 piece is dated to the Ramesside Period, which was during the 19th-20th Dynasties of the New Kingdom. This style of statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 depicting Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 actually became very popular during the Ptolemaic Period, and there is a piece similar to this in the Brooklyn Museum too! 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in his jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ form. The kneeling position is representative of him guarding the necropolis π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ from high above on a hill π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“„Ώπ“ŠŽ or mountain π“ˆ‹π“…³- as was his role as the god π“ŠΉ of cemeteries and mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž. One of his titles which is β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦π“ˆŠ,” exemplifies and highlights this role. The β€œsacred land” mentioned in this title is another way to say β€œnecropolis π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ!” 

Another one of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 titles is β€œupon his hill π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘β€ and this hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ phrase usually follows his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in dedication texts! Again, this is representative of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 role as protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱; he was always standing watch from above! 

I also love this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 because it is very similar to Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 determinative hieroglyph 𓃣 (which is my favorite hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbol) and it’s almost identical to the β€˜recumbent jackal 𓃒” sign! Basically, I love anything to do with Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! Seeing a well preserved statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of him, or hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbols of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ makes me really happy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 and excited. It’s like seeing an old friend π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“€€π“! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Early Dynastic Animal Statuettes

We are going back to the Early Dynastic Period today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³! I love anything to do with Egyptian hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦!!!

This calcite 𓍱 hippopotamus π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― and faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ are dated c. 3100–2649 B.C.E and are from Abydos π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š–. The hippopotamus π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― figure was found near a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ and was most likely an offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to the deity π“ŠΉ Khentiamentiu 𓃒𓏃𓏠𓄿. 

Khentiamentiu 𓃒𓏃𓏠𓄿 is an early jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ headed deity π“ŠΉ whose name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œForemost of the Westerners.” We know that phrase because later on it was commonly used as a title of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 before it then became Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ title! Before the popularity of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 was the chief god π“ŠΉ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱, which is why it was his title first! The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Abydos π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š– which was originally dedicated to Khentiamentiu 𓃒𓏃𓏠𓄿 then solely became dedicated to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ during the First Intermediate Period. 

Hippopotamuses π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ and crocodiles π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œπ“¦ were both feared and revered along the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί because while they were very dangerous animals, little figurines like these (and then later on, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ) could offer protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ to the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 or the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ. This is why hippopotamuses π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ and crocodiles π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œπ“¦ are very common to see in early Egyptian art! The hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― is also seen as a symbol of fertility. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Roman Sarcophagus

Even though Rome was the dominant power in the Mediterranean at the time, Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was determined to keep Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– independent of Rome.  However, with the defeat of Mac Antony by Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀 in battle, and the death of Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 (the last Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, died by suicide c. 31 B.C.E.), Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– was conquered by the Romans. This made Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀 the first Roman Emperor. 

Traditionally, the Romans burned their dead and put their ashes in urns. However, in Roman Egypt, traditional Egyptian funerary practices persisted but adopted some Roman style! Nonno always pointed out the Roman influenced sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ in museums because he thought it was so interesting that an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 was on the coffin, instead of the traditional Egyptian “mask.” The painting of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 still functioned like a traditional Egyptian mask, however it was just more β€œRoman” in style.Β 

The mask could either serve as protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, or take the place of the body if the head was destroyed or lost. In the Egyptian religion, the body of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 needed to stay intact in order for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to be transported to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐/Field of Reeds π“‡π“π“ˆ…π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“…±π“†°π“Š–. This was the purpose of mummification – to preserve the body so both the Ka π“‚“ (soul) and the Ba 𓅑𓏺(life force) would be able to recognize the body!

I think this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ (from the second century AD) in particular is very interesting because it demonstrates a marriage of the two 𓏻 cultures.Β  The Roman influence is clearly seen, with the painted portrait of the deceased (and his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, Artemidorus below the portrait).Β 

However, the Egyptian gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are present in gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ on the body of the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­. Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦, Thoth π“…€π“€­ , and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ are depicted. Iconic Egyptian imagery 𓏏𓅱𓏏 such as the winged sun disk is located above the feet, while a traditional broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ is in gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ around the neck of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Video – The Goddess Hathor in Hieroglyphs!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! I’m sure you can see this, but Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is unique compared to that of the other deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! This is because her name is written with a composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ! A composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is the combination of many symbols into one symbol! Even with the combination of the symbols, the sounds of the original symbol are still retained! Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is the combination of an enclosure (house) 𓉗 and the falcon π“…ƒ. 𓉗 +π“…ƒ = 𓉑 Het (𓉗) + Heru (π“…ƒ) = 𓉑 If the two 𓏻 symbols were written separately, we would actually read Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– as β€œHouse of Horus” or β€œEstate of Horus” (depending on how you translated the 𓉗 hieroglyph) – so that is the literal translation of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! This is my personal video and original text – DO NOT repost! #ancientEgypt #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #ancientegyptblog #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #anticoegitto #egyptology

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

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

This is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! I’m sure you can see this, but Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is unique compared to that of the other deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! This is because her name is written with a composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ! A composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is the combination of many symbols into one symbol! Even with the combination of the symbols, the sounds of the original symbol are still retained! 

Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is the combination of an enclosure (house) 𓉗 and the falcon π“…ƒ. 

𓉗 +π“…ƒ = 𓉑 

Het (𓉗) + Heru (π“…ƒ) = 𓉑 

If the two 𓏻 symbols were written separately, we would actually read Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– as β€œHouse of Horus” or β€œEstate of Horus” (depending on how you translated the 𓉗 hieroglyph) – so that is the literal translation of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and most importantly, my Nonno!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Roman Oil Lamps

While my Nonno loved ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, he also absolutely loved Ancient Rome and the Roman Emperors. This is why he loved the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– so much. Even though the Ptolemaic Period was technically Hellenistic Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, there was still a heavy Roman influence because Rome was still very powerful at the time! 

When Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 committed suicide in 31 B.C.E., that was seen as the end of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 and the beginning of Roman Egypt. This makes Cleopatra π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt! Nonno often told me stories about Mark Antony, Cleopatra π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇, Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀, Julius Caesar – he loved that whole part of history so much.Β 

These are ancient oil lamps 𓆼𓄿𓃀𓏲𓐠𓏀𓇢! These oil lamps 𓆼𓄿𓃀𓏲𓐠𓏀𓇢 are made of clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ and can be found throughout countries that were ruled by the Roman Empire! Many are found in present-day Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, Turkey, Syria, and many others! My Nonno absolutely adored these – he loved that you could still see where the oil π“‚π“†“π“–π“Šπ“¦ had burned on some of them (that’s the black π“†Žπ“…“ discoloration at the opening). Nonno always made sure to point these out in museums and now of course I always look for them. I love seeing the different designs on them! Each lamp 𓆼𓄿𓃀𓏲𓐠𓏀𓇢 is unique which I love!

Isis and Horus design on the oil lamp, along with the black discoloration on the opening!

Due to Roman influence in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, oil lamps 𓆼𓄿𓃀𓏲𓐠𓏀𓇢 from Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– were sometimes made with the Egyptian Gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on them! The oil lamp 𓆼𓄿𓃀𓏲𓐠𓏀𓇢 all the way on the right depicts Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ nursing Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. As Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ grew in popularity, she was associated with cosmological order and was considered to be the embodiment of fate by the Romans.  Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ was widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 during the Roman times, and Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ as a baby π“ˆ–π“π“ˆ–π“€• has even appeared on the back of Roman coins. Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ and bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ were also made in abundance during this time period. 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Tutankhamun and Amun

This diorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 portrays Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ and the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–. Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ is credited with restoring the Cult of Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–, after it was eradicated by his father Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– in order to solely worship the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³.Β 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is very interesting because it displays Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– very large, while Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ is very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©. Since the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was considered a god π“ŠΉ on Earth 𓇾𓇾, they were usually depicted as large, intimidating, and regal figures. However, the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“ͺ were second to the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ themselves – especially Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– who was the king 𓇓 of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. So in the presence of Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©. 

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 has sustained damage, most notable is the fact that Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ head is missing. This is because this era of the 18th Dynasty was supposed to be β€˜forgotten’ by history. The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“ͺ that came after Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ tried to erase all evidence of the Amarna era. Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ fell victim to this as well, even though he restored the traditional Egyptian pantheon. It was due to his familial relation to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– that he was also subjected to having his images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 destroyed.Β 

A lot of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 and statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏦 were usurped by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–, who was not only Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ general π“€Žπ“¦, but was the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 18th Dynasty.