Horus at Edifu…..
Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs
At Pacific Science Center
I prefer the “Tutankhamon” or “Tutankhamen” spelling, but they’re all nice. Interesting fact that not mayhaps alls of yous knows, his original name was “Tutankhaten,” meaning “Living Image of Aten” (-amon of course meaning “Living Image of Amon”) but he changed it to the -amon suffix when he ascended to the throne in order to gain back the favor of the High Priests of Amon.
This was necessary because his father was the great (in my mind) Pharaoh Akhenaten (“Living Spirit of Aten”) had moved the capital of the Egyptian Kingdom (an often delicate balance between the Upper Kingdom and Lower Kingdom (literally the bottom and top areas of Egypt)) from Thebes to Amarna, an Arabic name. The Egyptian name is Akhetaten, “Horizon of the Aten.”
The move of capitals was done to strip power from the priests of Amon in the current polytheistic religion in which Amon was the highest being, who had gained an enormous amount of power, comparable to the Pharaoh. Akhenaten was Amenhotep IV (“Amen is Pleased”) when he became Pharaoh, and whether it was power or a true belief, he greatly empowered Akhetaten and made dramatic changes in the way the people lived and created and appreciated culture.
In Ancient Egypt art was generally accepted and ordered in one fashion for a great many years (a few dynasties at least) but when Akhenaten took the throne in Amarna, art, religion, and many things were rethought and reimagined. The Pharaoh was now shown interacting with his family on a purely enjoyable and realistic manner, the first and last time this was ever achieved. The Royal Family was also given elongated heads.
Two last things before I end this post as I realize how long this has been: The religion of Aten was a nearly monotheistic one, Aten being the Sun Disk whose rays emanated power and knowledge and was highest of all beings. Akhenaten’s father (Amenhotep III) ruled the Kingdom with Aten being for the first time a physical God, depicted with a falcon head much like Ra. Aten is also both male and female simultaneously, and for the first time the Pharaoh claimed not to be the God or the descendent of the Gods, but closely tied to the sole God and to confer with him/her on how best to rule his subjects.
Last thing, Akhenaten’s wife was Nefertiti. Just thought you should know where she existed in the realm of Ancient Egypt. Ankhenaten’s children were named Meritaten (Female), Meketaten (Female), Ankhesenamun (Female), Neferneferuaten Tasherit (Female), Neferneferure (Female), Setepenre (Female), Tutankhamun (Male), and possibly had another two by the name of Ankhesenpaaten-ta-sherit (Female) and Smenkhkare (Male) which is relevant because I love the language.
Ancient Egyptian statue of pharaoh Akhenaton (Amenhotep IV), Yellow stone, currently located at the Louvre, France.
(Source: italdred)
(Source: opcion)
Ra and Anubis
In which I cry about Stargate: Resistance (fantastic Third Person Shooter Multiplayer game) being shut down not even a year after it was released. You could even unlock these helmets for use as a Jaffa.
(Source: hermessaid)
the valley of the gods
Valley of the Kings I think, Valley of the Gods is in Utah; incidentally that’s where the season 6 two-part premiere of Doctor Who was filmed. Fuck I love Obelisks and Ancient Egypt.
This is partially relevant because I am getting drunk and re-watching Stargate (on Children of the Gods (first episode) right now.) Finished the movie and am watching SG-1, then Atlantis, then SGU.
It’s also partially irrelevant because I am getting drunk and re-watching Stargate right now.
One of Three Black Granite Statues of King Sesostris III (by Σταύρος)
Another example of “how did they cut granite that perfectly.”
Anubis, tattooed by Jose Chalarca @ Hoboken Body Art, Hoboken , NJ.
Apologies about the redness and shininess. This is my most recent tattoo of a combination of an ankh, djed and a was. There’s no sentimental meaning behind it, I just have a fascination with the symbols and I fucking love it. I got it done at Dermagraphics by the very talented Ryan.
