Grand Egyptian Museum

Ptolemaic king (probably Ptolemy II) was recovered from the Mediterranean Sea bed. The Ptolemaic dynasty were Greek rulers descended from one of Alexander the Great’s generals, who later became Ptolemy I. They often portrayed themselves in Egyptian style, with Egyptian clothing and worshiping locals. These colossal statues were found in front of the Great Temple of Amun.

The statue of a Ptolemaic queen (probably Arsinoe II) was recovered from the Mediterranean Sea bed. Queens had important political and religious roles during this period. Statues of king sans queens were erected in most temples throughput Egypt. Ptolemaic queens were promoted to goddesses after their deaths, and Arsinoe II was known as protector of sailors.

Peribsen chose the god Seth in his animal form instead of the usual falcon gold Horus to sit on the serekhs of his funerary stelae. This change might reflect the politics behind early Egyptian kingship.

With nemes headcloth, ureaus snake, royal beard and pleated kilt, King Khafre sits on a throne decorated with lotus and papyrus flowers tied together to represent Upper and Lower Egypt. The inscriptions describe him as ‘Great and Perfect god, Beautiful Falcon, Son of Re, Master of Appearances.

King Amenemhat III
The seated stature was found in the mortuary temple which was part of King Amenemhat III’s pyramid complex in Hawara. His large ears perhaps express the king’s willingness to listen to his people, rather than reflect his appearance in real life.

King Tutankhamen
These two statues were found buried at Karnak. They probably once stood on either side of a doorway somewhere in the temple. King Tutankhamen restored temples and ordered new cult statues for his ‘father’ the god Amun. The king is shown in a gesture of prayer.

Horus and King Nectanebo II
The falcon Horus was the god of kingship,and the king was a living form of Horus on earth. A small figure of king Nectanebo II stands between this large bird’s feet.

Royal Symbols
Special signs and objects identified kings. These included cartouches around their names, crowns, often with rearing Uranus snakes, scepters, false beards and bull’s tails.

High Priest Ramessesnakht
This statue of Ramessesnakht, High Priest of Amun, was dedicated at Karnak temple by his son High Priest of Amun Nesamun. Ramessesnakht is show as a scribe protected by a baboon, the symbol of Thoth, god of writing, wisdom, magic, and the moon.

High Priests
The role of high priest was both powerful and influential. The high priests of Amun at Thebes controlled huge treasuries and estates. By the end of the New Kingdom they controlled Upper Egypt, with some even using the title king.

Stela
Stela is an upright stone or column typically bearing a commemorative inscription or relief design, often serving as a gravestone.Leia mais