Tag: sphinx

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Egyptian Artifacts

Great Sphinx of Tanis

Did you know that this sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ in the Louvre is one of the largest outside of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–?

The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is known as the β€œGreat Sphinx of Tanis” because it was found in the ruins of the Temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ in Tanis π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š–! Tanis π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– from the 21st-23rd Dynasties. 

The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ which is an extremely strong 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 and durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™! Red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ was very valued not only for its pink color but its durability. As you can see, the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ retained its beautiful π“„€ features really well due to the characteristics of the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™

This sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is so interesting because the cartouches of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 Merneptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ (19th Dynasty) and Sheshonq I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Œ»π“†·π“†·π“ˆ–π“ˆŽ (22nd Dynasty) are both seen on the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€.  Why are two 𓏻 pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ there?  Well, the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ used to recycle monuments, a process called “usurping.” The practice of usurping was when the current pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 would take old pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ off of monuments 𓏠𓏍 and put their own there! It is basically ancient plagiarism and it occurred quite frequently. 

Some Egyptologists say this sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ actually dates back to the Old Kingdom, as the face 𓁢𓏺 doesn’t represent any known pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! A book that I have says the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ dates to the Middle Kingdom. We will probably never know when the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ was carved which is both fascinating and frustrating at the same time! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sphinx of Amenhotep II

This is a sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™ Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ of Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ! Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻π“₯ during the 18th Dynasty and was the son π“…­ of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣. He ruled π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for about 26 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ώ years and the first two 𓏻 years of his rule might have been a co-reign with his father 𓇋𓏏𓀀.Β 

Sphinx of Amenhotep II
A small sandstone Sphinx of Amenhotep II

Why do so many pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ represent themselves as sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦? A sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is a mythical creature and is the combination of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› (the body) and a human (the head 𓁢𓏺).  In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ have been associated with kingship π“‡“π“‡Œ since prehistoric times due to their strength π“Œ€ and ferocity. The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­ was the perfect representation of the strength π“Œ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 due to its lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› body, while the face still preserved the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the king 𓇓 himself. 

Sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ are incredibly powerful creatures because not only do they represent the physical strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›, but also the power of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ loved to portray himself as powerful (as all pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ did), but Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is actually most known for his athletic abilities! Many depictions show him as an accomplished archer!

Amenhotep II’s birth name is actually the same as Amenhotep I, which is π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ. Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Satisfied

So the name translates to β€œAmun is Satisfied.”

We can tell pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ with the same name apart based on their throne name! Amenhotep II’s throne name is β€œAakheperura 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓏦!” Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

𓇳 – Ra

𓉻 – Great 

𓆣𓏦 – Manifestations

The name translates to β€œThe Great Manifestations of Ra.” 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Blue Faience Sphinx of Amenhotep III

ThisΒ blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 faienceΒ π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“ΌΒ sphinxΒ π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€Β of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep IIIΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†Β is in exquisite condition.

Blue Faience Sphinx of Amenhotep III at the MET

This piece is possibly from the model of a templeΒ π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰, but its function isn’t actually known. Despite its small size, the sphinxΒ π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€Β is definitely a standout in Gallery 119 at the MET!

A sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is the combination of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› (the body) and a human (the head 𓁢𓏺).  Sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ are incredibly powerful creatures because not only do they represent the physical strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›, but also the power of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† is wearing the nemes head cloth π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ with the Uraeus π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†— on the forehead. He also has a false beard in his chin. This is a very typical way for a pharaoh π“‰π“‰» to be depicted in statuary because this style represented the power and royalty of the pharaoh π“‰π“‰». 

The hands of the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ are holding a nemset jar π“Œπ“Ί in each hand. This is a worshipping 𓇼𓄿𓀒/offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 position, but there is no inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– to say which god π“ŠΉ/goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† is making an offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to.  

This piece is dated to the 18th Dynasty – New Kingdom (c. 1390–1352 B.C.E.). 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Pink Granite Sphinx

Rome and The Vatican Museum were some of my Nonno’s absolute favorite places to be and I am so so lucky that we were able to travel there together in 2014. Some of the best days of my life were spent in Rome and Rome has remained my favorite city since that visit. I love Rome’s combination of ancient and modern – the whole vibe of the city very much fits my personality!

This is the pink granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ in the Vatican and it is dated to the first century AD. Even as a geologist it’s so weird that this rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ is classified as pink granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ because it isn’t pink! Red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ is actually a lot more pink and many can get the two 𓏻 rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ confused! For the purpose of writing hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, I used the same word for both red and pink granite since the rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ are definitely similar!

It was difficult to find information about this Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ which is why I haven’t made a post about it even though I love this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏!

But just looking at it you can tell the craftsmanship is exquisite! You can definitely see the merging of Egyptian and Roman styles in this piece. The Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is also so big, which makes it even more impressive. It is so difficult to work with granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ because it is a very hard and stable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ (which is why it’s so great to use for countertops)!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Great Sphinx of Tanis

This sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ in the Louvre is one of the largest outside of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! It is known as the β€œGreat Sphinx of Tanis” because it was found in the ruins of the Temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ in Tanis π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š–! Tanis π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– from the 21st-23rd Dynasties. The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is made of granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ – an extremely strong 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 and durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™!

This sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is so interesting because the cartouches of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 Merneptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ (19th Dynasty) and Sheshonq I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Œ»π“†·π“†·π“ˆ–π“ˆŽ (22nd Dynasty) are both seen on the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€. Why are two 𓏻 pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ there? Well, the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ used to recycle monuments, a process called “usurping.” The practice of usurping was when the current pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 would take old pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ off of monuments and put their own there! It is basically ancient plagiarism and it occurred quite frequently.

Some Egyptologists say this sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ actually dates back to the Old Kingdom, as the face 𓁢𓏺 doesn’t represent any known pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! A book that I have says the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ dates to the Middle Kingdom. We will probably never know!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Horus as a Sphinx

This is a really interesting piece from the British Museum!

It is a sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™ statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ headed sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€! Usually sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ are depicted as being the body of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› with the head 𓁢𓏺 of a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€, but obviously this one is quite different!

This particular statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ is dated to c. 1250 B.C.E.; the reign of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“. This sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ and many other similar ones used to stand guard at Rameses II’s π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Abu Simbel.

Sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ are incredibly powerful creatures because not only do they represent the physical strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›, but also the power of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. While the pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 head 𓁢𓏺 isn’t represented on this sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€, a falcon is. Falcons π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„π“¦ are associated with the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who is the personification of the pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 power. Since one of Horus’ π“…ƒπ“€­ roles is as the god π“ŠΉ of pharaonic power, it makes sense that sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ can also represent pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 while using a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ head 𓁢𓏺.

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Egyptian Artifacts

β€œProcessional Way of the Sphinxes”

This display of sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ at the Louvre is referred to as the β€œProcessional Way of the Sphinxes” and it contains six 𓏿 sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ dated to the later period of Egyptian history (no exact date is known but inferences have been made and will be mentioned as you read further).

It is thought that these limestone sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ lined the processional way to the Serapis Temple at Saqqara (also known as the β€œSerapeum of Saqqara”). This temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was originally the burial place for sacred bulls (it was believed that the bulls were representations of the god π“ŠΉ Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±). Fun fact: Saqqara is the modern name π“‚‹π“ˆ– for the area, but the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ called it Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–!

This area has quite a history because construction started in c. 1400 B.C.E. (New Kingdom), and continued through to the end of the Ptolemaic Period/end of Cleopatra VII’s π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 rule (c. 31 B.C.E.). The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰, during Ptolemaic rule, then was dedicated to the cult of Serapis (the Greco-Egyptian deity of the sun 𓇳𓏀).

So who built 𓐍𓂀𓅱𓋴𓀧 these magnificent sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦? There are two theories: it’s possible that the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Nectanbo I 𓇳𓆣𓂓 of the 30th Dynasty had over 600 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ built to line the processional way to the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰. However, some historians think that the sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ were built by Ptolemy I π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄ as he changed the area to be dedicated to Serapis. The reasoning for this is that the sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ share artistic features of the Ptolemaic Period, and they also don’t have inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ on them, which is also typical of Ptolemaic objects. We will probably never know!