Tag: louvre

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Ushabti Friends

Ushabtis of Seti I – Ushabti Friends

Ushabtis of Seti I

As part of my β€œUshabti Friends” series, I am teaching you how to look at the different characteristics of ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ to show how unique and wonderful these pieces are! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the ushabtis of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠!Β 

Ushabtis of Seti I
Ushabtis of Seti I

Pharaoh Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 had an estimatedΒ  1000+ ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ, however, only about 700 remain! Most of Seti I’s 𓇳𓁦𓏠 ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 and when Giovanni Belzoni discovered Seti I’s tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in the Valley of the Kings in 1917, he used a lot of the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ as torches (this fact still haunts me – it was also one of my Nonno’s favorite stories to tell). Anytime Seti I came up in conversation my Nonno would say β€œcan you believe some idiots used his ushabtis as torches??!!”

Besides the tragic wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 ushabtis, Seti I π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ– had many faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ. His faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ are such a beautiful π“„€ blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ color and are inscribed with the Shabti Spell in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ.

Ushabtis of Seti I

Some of the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ contain hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as well, however, the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are better preserved on some pieces better than others because wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 will naturally deteriorate over time due to the nature of the organic materials. 

So how can we tell these are ushabtis of Seti I from the 19th Dynasty? 

  1. The ushabtis were found in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings
  2. The ushabtis are inscribed with his throne name (𓇳𓁦𓏠) and birth name (π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ–).
  3. The ushabtis have characteristics of the 19th dynasty such as the faience ushabtis which are holding a hoe in each hand π“ŒΈ (typical of 18th-25th dynasties)
Ushabtis of Seti I

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTokΒ to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Ushabtis of Seti I
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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Hathor at the Louvre

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ sculpture of the head of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 is one of my favorite pieces that I saw in the Louvre because the intricate details are just striking. This piece is dated to the Ptolemaic Period, and used to be part of a column.Β 

Head of Hathor
Head of Hathor at the Louvre

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! 

Hathor 𓉑 is usually associated with cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒π“ͺ and can take the form of a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 in many forms of Egyptian art. One detail that I love about this piece is that Hathor 𓉑 is shown with her cow ears! It is very common to see Hathor 𓉑 with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears in art! 

Another detail that I love is how her wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 is decorated with rosettes π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“ƒ€! The carvings are in raised relief, which only makes them stand out more. The work of the ancient Egyptian artists is truly incredible and never fails to amaze me!

Head of Hathor
Me with the Head of Hathor at the Louvre

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sarcophagus of 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“» turbulent years. His reign was marked by political, economic, and military issues.Β 

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 Sarcophagus of Rameses III showing details of 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 Nepthys 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. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Scribes in Ancient Egypt

Happy first day of school to all of us in New York!! To celebrate, let’s learn about scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ!Β 

Scribes
A beautiful statue of a scribe on display at the Louvre in Paris, France

Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ were very highly regarded in ancient Egyptian society. Due to the complexity of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/hieratic, those who were able to master it were extremely valued. Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ recorded magic spells, wills and other legal contracts, medical procedures, and tax records. Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ also helped to preserve Egyptian culture throughout time. They were considered part of the royal court and did not have to serve in the military because their job as a scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ was so essential. 

It took almost ten π“Ž† years for a person to complete scribal training and children started school as young as five 𓏾 years old. Though most scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ are shown to be men π“Šƒπ“€€π“€, there is archaeological evidence that some girls also attended school and learned to read. Most boys inherited the job of scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ from their father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 as is the same with other occupations in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

Fun fact: it took me about six 𓏿 years to really master reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Even though I’ve been practicing/reading them for over 25 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ years now, I’m still learning every single day – that’s the beauty of learning a language! The learning is never complete!

There were also many different types of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and their roles were usually designated by titles written on funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦! 

π“ž – Scribe

π“Ÿπ“€€ – Scribe

π“‡“π“ž – King’s Scribe / Royal Scribe / King’s Secretary

π“žπ“Žπ“› – Scribe of Accounts 

π“žπ“ŠΉπ“‰—π“π“‰ – Scribe of the Temple

π“žπ“Ž˜π“Ž›π“²π“‹π“« – Scribe of the Offering Table

π“žπ“‰’ – Scribe of the Treasury

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ on Instagram and TikTok

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of Rameses II and Horus

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at this fragmented relief from the Louvre which depicts the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– and the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­! Horus is holding Rameses II’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– hand and leading him. How do we know that this is a depiction of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ since there are many falcon gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ? The word “Edfu π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š–” in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is a major clue – Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ of the Winged Disc or β€œBehdetite” was the chief god π“ŠΉ of the city π“Š–!

Look at who is leading Horus π“…ƒπ“€­- it’s the god π“ŠΉ Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 who is the β€œOpener of the Ways!” Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 appears on a standard and is associated leading ritual processions.Β 

Rameses II and Horus
Relief showing Rameses II and Horus

Above the depiction is actually part of Rameses II’s royal titularly! Each pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 had five names, and the first one that appears is known as the β€œHorus Name.” Rameses II had many variants of his Horus Name, but we will look at the one that appears here: β€œπ“‚‘π“ƒ’π“§π“ŒΊ Strong Bull, Beloved of Maat”

π“‚‘ – Strong

𓃒 – Bull

𓁧 – Maat

π“ŒΊ – Beloved

After that, the Nebty Name π“…’ is listed! The Nebty Name is distinguished by the Nebty or Two Ladies symbol β€œπ“…’.” Only the partial name appears on the relief: β€œπ“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š– Protector of Egypt.”

π“…– – Protector 

π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š– – Egypt (Kemet) (most commonly, Kemet is written as β€œπ“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–,” however this is another variant).

The full name is as follows: π“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š–π“…±π“‚π“†‘π“²π“‚‘π“ˆŠπ“π“¦ β€œProtector of Egypt Who Curbs Foreign Lands.” 

Rameses II and Horus
Relief showing Rameses II and Horus

Above Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ appears:Β 

π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š– – Edfu

π“ŽŸ- Lord

𓇯 – Sky

π“„€ – Perfect

π“ŠΉ – God 

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra (Throne Name of Rameses II which translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”)

𓏙 – Given

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“Œ€ – Strength

All together the inscription says: “Edfu, Lord of the Sky, the Perfect God Usermaatre setep en Ra Give Life and Strength.”

To the left of Rameses II: 

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ– – It Is

π“„€ – Perfect

π“ŠΉ – God 

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

All together the inscription says: “It Is the Pefect God Usermaatre setep en Ra.”

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

@ancientegyptblog

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Egyptian Artifacts

Akhenaten and Me!

I’ve never shared this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 because of the glare, but not every picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 needs to be perfect π“„€! My Nonno took this photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and me at the Louvre in what I call the β€œAmarna Gallery!” Β  You can tell by my smile how happy 𓄫𓅱𓏛 I was!Β Seeing a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in real life that I have only seen in books feels like meeting a celebrity!

Akhenaten and Me
Akhenaten and Me at the Louvre!

The Louvre has an impressive collection of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ and artifacts from Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and I was so excited to be able to see them – this was probably the gallery I spent the most time in at the Louvre! After Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is my second favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

This particular limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– surprised me when I saw it in person for the first time! I thought it was going to be a lot smaller, so I was shocked to see just how big it was! The piece is also incredibly well preserved – the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– forehead is still somewhat intact, and the design details on the skirt are clearly defined. Also, Akhenaten is holding both the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ… in one hand 𓂝𓏺 instead of one in each hand 𓂝𓏺! 

The Louvre has this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 named β€œStatue of an Amarna King.” To me, this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 looks like it is from the early part of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ because there are both traditional Egyptian elements and Amarna-era elements (elongated face and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) present in the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾. If I were to guess, this was probably made before year 5 𓏾 of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, when he still had the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€. However, there are no hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 to confirm this, I am basing this inference just on the artistic style alone! 

This piece really is just stunning to see in person! 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphs on Mummification Vase

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that is on a blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ that might have been used during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process! This vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ is dated to the 19th Dynasty. How do we know it’s from the 19th Dynasty? We can look at the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that show the throne name and birth name of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–!

Mummification Vase
A Mummification Vase with the cartouches of the pharaoh Rameses II (19th Dynasty)

We are going to start reading from the middle-left column!Β 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra (Throne Name of Rameses II which translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”)

𓏙𓋹- Given Life

The left column:Β 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“‡“π“π“ŠΉπ“¦- King of the Gods

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Sky

π“ŒΈπ“‡Œ – Beloved

The middle-right column:Β 

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – Lord of Appearances 

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Ramessu mery Amun (Birth Name of Rameses II which translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun.”)

𓇳𓏺 – Ra

𓏇 – Like

𓆄 – Truth (Maat) 

This last part would translate to β€œTruth Like Ra.” 

The right column:Β 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

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

π“ŒΈπ“‡Œ – Beloved

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ushabti of Amenhotep III

One of the things I love so much about ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures is the fact that they are all so different! Even ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures from the same time period have a lot of variation! For example, ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ that are from the same burial can contain many different types of ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ! Many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ that belonged to the 18th Dynasty pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 contained a combination of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺, faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, and stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures!Β 

Ushabti of Amenhotep III
A mummiform ushabti of pharaoh Amenhotep III (left) on display at the Louvre in Paris, France. This ushabti is made of red granite, which is unusual!

The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ on the left side of this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† and was found in his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in the Valley of the Kings. In the Louvre, this piece is listed as β€œMummiform Funerary Servant (Serviteur FunΓ©raire Momiforme)” which basically means a ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ that looks like a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! This particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ! 

The word “mummiform” is used by Egyptologists to describe various artifacts that look like a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! So what characteristics makes this ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ mummiform?Β  The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is fashioned in the style of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­; its crossed arms are holding a crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ…. Much like the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ (at least those who could afford it) were also laid to rest in this fashion. The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is also wearing the false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ, and the white crown π“„€π“‹‘ with a uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 (that is hard to see but is still there).Β 

This ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ has a lot of beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ engraved on it, but the text is too small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© for me to see! The only thing I can really make out is the cartouche of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†.

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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! 

Categories
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.