A rebirth for the pharaoh: reflections on the classification of the new kingdom divine birth cycle as a ritual
The interpretation of rituals enacted, or represented, in the temples of Egypt is limited by the often sparse survival of evidence; most of our knowledge of the Egyptian temple cult comes from the temples of the Graeco-Roman period. This paper deals with an aspect of ancient Egyptian divine kingship, the divine birth cycle, and the question of its rituality. The focus is on the well-known but somewhat enigmatic event of engendering the divine child (i.e. the king), as depicted during the New Kingdom period. Following the various types of ritual classification, one might be tempted to interpret the divine birth cycle as a political ritual designed to legitimize the pharaoh's rule. At the same time, it coequals with various aspects of religious renewal, such as the annual re-creation, and rebirth of the pharaonic state through its socio-ideological self, represented by the king. In this respect, one might categorize divine birth as a festival or calendrical rite. The purpose of this paper is to explore various ways of interpreting the divine birth cycle as a ritual, or as a religious representation of a different type.
Religion in ancient Egypt
"Religion in Ancient Egypt" seeks to characterize Egyptian answers to universal questions - answers put forth in the "official" art, architecture and literature sponsored by king, priests, and nobility; and answers reflected in the personal practice of people who were not part of society's elite. The gods; the "divinity" of the king; myths of the origins of the gods and of the creation of the cosmos; personal religious experience and practice - these are some of the issues that the authors address. The reign of the heretic king Akhenaten receives special attention. This book should be of interest to students and academics of Egyptology, religion and anthropology.
The ‘New Year’ Gifts to the Pharaoh
IN certain of the Theban tombs belonging to high officials during the later reign of Amenophis III there appear, in their usual placesI to the left and right of the portico in the rear wall of the first transverse chamber, reliefs showing the owner in the presence of the king who sits on a throne under the great baldachin of state. Z The notable occasion which these scenes commemorate evidently marked a climax in the life of the owner and the monarch whom he served; and there is little doubt that the event in question was a state appearance of the Pharaoh during ceremonies that marked his various jubilees, when he received his officials in audience. The sed-festivals of Amenophis III were, of course, important affairs that have left their record in many of the royal monuments of the reign both large and small.s It is therefore not surprising to find that those officers of state who had some part to play in these functions also sought to commemorate the grand occasion when for a crowded hour they basked in a reflection of the light that beat upon a throne. Tomb No. 57, for instance, has a relief showing the Pharaoh in his kiosk receiving from Khasemhet an account of the bumper harvest during the year of his First jubilee.s The pendent scene shows Khasemhet, together with the stewards of the royal house and the governors of Upper and Lower Egypt, being rewarded with collars of honour before the enthroned king on account of the exceptional harvest in this jubilee year 30.5 Khasemhet as Controller of the Granaries of Upper and Lower Egypt emphasized his particular interests. Kheruef, on the other hand, as an officer of the royal household was more concerned with palace ceremonial, and in his tomb, No. 192, has left us valuable illustrations of some of the jubilee rites. On the left-hand wall flanking the inner portico he represents the same investiture of the officials by Amenophis III in Year 30, though he puts his patron, Queen Tiye, into the kiosk with Hathor and the king.s The pendent scene shows Kheruef presenting a collar, tazza, box, and jewelled pectorals to the king and queen on the occasion of the Third Jubilee in Year 37.7 The tomb of the Chief Steward Surero is less explicit in the character of the comparable scenes thanks to the destruction of the texts. To the left of the portico he offers bouquets and staves to Amenophis III who on this occasion wears a 'peculiar' knee-length mantle 'covered with blue squares and a red square in each blue one's