Photograph by Ed Pollard, Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II digital slr-2009.

Wall fragment

Artist Unknown

DatePtolemaic Period, 170-116 B.C.E.

MediumLimestone

DimensionsOverall: 18 1/2 x 21 1/2 in. (47 x 54.6 cm)

ClassificationsEgyptian

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number82.53

Terms

Religion
White

Collections

Ancient Mediterranean Art

On View

On view

DescriptionFragment of a wall with some round relief showing a king making offerings to a goddess between two vertical frame lines. The goddess is on the left side of the fragment, turned to the right, holding a lotus-headed scepter in her left hand before her while her right arm hanging on her side is holding a ankh-sign. She wears a long tight dress leaving her breast naked, a broad bead-edged necklace, bracelets, a vulture on her head and a high round crown on top of it. The king is on the right side of the fragment, facing the goddess to the left. He presents her with two bouquets of three stems of papyrus. He wears a long square false-beard, a broad necklace, a short kilt with a pointed front panel and a (bull) tail fastened on the back, and probably a longer transparent skirt on top of it, pictured by an oblique line falling along the left leg. He is crowned with the cloth headdress called nemes, and a composite headdress made of curved ram horns, three tall tiaras and two reared cobras with sun-disks. The fragment is cut below the two figures' knees, and the top of the inscriptions and crowns is heavily worn or broken away.

Label TextWall Fragment Ptolemaic Period, 170–116 B.C.E. Limestone Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 82.53 This limestone temple relief depicts a pharaoh, at right, making an offering of papyrus sprouts to a goddess who holds a lotusheaded scepter and an ankh-sign (a symbol of life). The fragmentary hieroglyphs above the king identify him as Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, who centered his reign (170–116 B.C.) in Alexandria. Though the goddess has not been yet been identified, the king’s offering and her response to it—“I give you all marshes/pasture lands” (see illustration)—suggest that she is a deity connected with agriculture or natural fertility. The interrelationship of god and king depicted here was central to the Egyptian worldview. In the broadest sense, it was the pharaoh’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary offerings were made to the gods. In return, the gods bestowed peace and prosperity on the king and his people. The hieroglyphs can be translated thus: …the Mistress of heaven on…, [name of the goddess], the Lady of (?) [The Heir of the Epiphanes gods], Chosen of Ptah, who accomplishes the justice of Re, [living image of] Amun [Ptolem]y living forever, beloved of Ptah (=Ptolemy VIII) Offering (?) sweet fragrant and sparkling sprouts to… All protection, life, and power around him like Re forever I give you all marshes/pasture lands…