Tag: gods and goddesses

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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!

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–! 

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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. 

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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. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Stela of Aafenmut

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ that is dated to the Third Intermediate Period (c. 924–889 B.C.E., 22nd Dynasty) which belonged to a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ named Aafenmut π“‰»π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“…π“†‡. This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ shows a typical funerary stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 scene, and this style of stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ was very popular during this time period. I love this particular style because it is so colorful!Β This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

The Solar Barge 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž is shown at the top of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ and the Solar Barge 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž represents Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 journey across the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯. Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 journey is supposed to be representative of his birth/resurrection (sunrise), growth (day) and then death (sunset). In between Aafenmut π“‰»π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“…π“†‡ and Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ is a table filled with offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 of bread 𓏏𓏐, fruit, and flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦.Β 

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

π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ – Ra-Horakhty

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – Great God

π“ŽŸ – Lord

𓇯 – Sky/Heaven

π“‚ž – Give

𓆑 – He

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓐍𓏛- Offerings

𓐝 – To

π“Š©π“Ή – Osiris

𓐝 – To

π“ž – Scribe

π“Ίπ“‰π“Œ‰π“Ίπ“‰ – Treasury

π“‰»π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“…π“†‡ – Aafenmut

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, this inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– reads: β€œRa-Horakhty, the Great God, Lord of the Sky/Heaven, may he give offerings to Osiris, to the scribe of the treasury, Aafenmut, True of Voice.” 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Shrine or Pylon Stela

While this piece doesn’t look like a regular stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ (stone, rounded top), it is still considered to be one! This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ has taken the shape of a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ or pylon π“ƒ€π“π“ˆ–π“π“‰ and that’s what makes this wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 piece very unique! I also love this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ because it shows the two 𓏻 sisters π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“π“π“ͺ Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 and Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯!

On the left, we see an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇, and on the right we see an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡. Part of a spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› recited by the two 𓏻 sisters π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“π“π“ͺ are located in the middle of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ. I love how symmetrical ancient Egyptian art is!

The crowns on their heads is one of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that is used in their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ (𓉠and π“Š¨), which makes both Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡ and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 very easy to identify in Egyptian art.

You can also identity Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡ and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 by reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Starting on the left:

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By

𓉠𓏏𓆇 – Nephthys

Now on the right:

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By

π“Š¨π“π“†‡ – Isis

𓅨𓂋𓏏 – Great One

The Middle:

π“†“π“Œƒπ“π“₯π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By

π“…’ – The Two Ladies (Nekhbet and Wadjet)

𓇅𓏏𓏭𓇅𓁐𓁐 – The Two Crowns (𓇅𓇅𓏏𓏭𓁐𓁐 and π“‡…π“‡…π“π“­π“†˜π“†˜ is another way to write this)

π“ŽŸπ“²π“¦ – Lords/Master

𓉐𓏺 – House

𓆖 – Eternity

This piece is dated to the Ramesside Period (19th-20th Dynasties, c. 1295–1070 B.C.E.).

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Stela with a Dedication to Anubis

This sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™ piece, located in one of the tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© offshoot galleries at the MET is a stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ from the New Kingdom (c. 1400–1390 B.C.E.) with two 𓏻 people, Siamun and Taruy, worshipping Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! Usually on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ, people are shown worshipping Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, so seeing Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 on one makes me very happy! 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! I’m going to start on the right, with the cartouche!

(𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼) – Thutmosis IV 

Now, above Anubis: 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…± – Anubis

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“‡Ύπ“€π“ˆ…π“‚¦ – Sacred Land

Above the Two People: 

π“‚‹π“π“‚žπ“€’ – Giving Praise

π“‡‹π“ˆ– – To

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓏲 – Anubis

π“‡‹π“ˆ– – by the 

𓃂 – Wab Priest

(These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are etched out, but probably read β€œSiamun”)

π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ – Sister

π“ˆ˜π“ – Beloved

𓆑 – His

𓏏𓄿𓂋𓏀𓏭𓅱 – Taruy

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads: 

β€œπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…±π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“€π“ˆ…π“‚¦β€ – Anubis, Lord of the Sacred Land

β€œπ“‚‹π“π“‚žπ“€’π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“²π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ƒ‚β€¦π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“π“ˆ˜π“π“†‘π“π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“€π“­π“…±β€ – Giving praise to Anubis, by the Wab Priest (Siamun) to his beloved sister Taruy.