Egyptian Concepts Research Articles

New light on the culture of ancient Egypt

Egyptology has traditionally been quite a narrowly focused field, but there is a general shift towards more inter-disciplinary approaches, as researchers seek to shed new light on the culture of ancient Egypt. Dr Reinert Skumsnes is exploring the potential for dialogue between present feminist theories about the body, sex and gender, and ancient Egyptian concepts, experiences and practices

ВІД БИТВ НА КОЛІСНИЦЯХ ДО МОРСЬКИХ ЗАВОЮВАНЬ: ВІЙСЬКОВІ СЦЕНИ НА СТІНАХ ХРАМІВ ТА ГРОБНИЦЬ ДОБИ НОВОГО ЦАРСТВА

This article examines the military scenes depicted on the walls of New Kingdom temples and tombs, specifically those belonging to the pharaohs Thutmose III, female pharaoh Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun, Ramses III, and Seti I. The author examines the artistic features, composition, and symbolism of these images, as well as their historical and political significance. Through an analysis of these military scenes, the article seeks to shed light on the political, social, and religious functions of the pharaohs’ military campaigns, as well as their impact on ancient Egyptian society. These scenes often depict military campaigns, battles, and triumphs, as well as offerings made to the gods in gratitude for victory. Some scenes depicted the pharaoh defeating foreign enemies in order to protect Egypt and maintain Ma’at, the ancient Egyptian concept of order and balance in the universe. One example of such scenes can be found in the Temple of Karnak, which features a relief showing King Seti I leading a procession of soldiers in tribute to the gods. Another example is the depiction of the Battle of Kadesh, fought between the Egyptians and the Hittites, which can be seen in the Temple of Abu Simbel. The study draws on a range of primary and secondary sources, including archaeological data, textual evidence, and art historical analysis, to provide a comprehensive examination of these important historical artefacts. Ultimately, the article argues that the military scenes found in New Kingdom temples and tombs offer valuable insights into the ways in which the pharaohs projected their power and authority, and how they sought to legitimize their rule through both military might and religious symbolism. Overall, the military scenes on the walls of temples of the era of the New Kingdom offer a fascinating glimpse into the culture and values of ancient Egypt.

Katrin Zehetgruber. Zuwendung und Abwendung: Studien zur Reziprozität des JHWH/Israel-Verhältnisses im Hoseabuch

Katrin Zehetgruber. <i>Zuwendung und Abwendung: Studien zur Reziprozität des JHWH/Israel-Verhältnisses im Hoseabuch</i>

Early concepts of nutrition, digestion, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and their treatment: Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome

The Egyptian concept of medicine was complex and related to a widespread religious belief that combined the worship of gods and the medical arts. The healing properties of food, and especially mother’s milk, were well‑known and endowed with divine qualities. Half‑female‑half‑cow Hathor was usually depicted with cow horns and the sun between them. Since medicine and magic were tightly linked, the omens, facts, conscious and unconscious assumptions merged with a mystical mosaic that formed a volatile but honorable system that is currently regarded as a medical art. Supernatural powers were taken into account, and the meaning of art was associated with the powers attributed to the deities. Despite their obvious social and religious‑political experience, the Egyptians had limited knowledge of the internal structure of human body, paying considerable attention to magic, mysticism and afterlife. They deeply believed that most of the diseases originated in the intestines due to their «contaminated» contents. The main problem in understanding diseases and developing their treatment in ancient Egypt was the restrictions associated with the prohibition of body’s desecration. This was based on the assumption that if the shape of the body is not preserved at the time of resurrection, the soul can be lost in void. Thus, the ancient Egyptians were especially concerned with the preservation of body, believing that desecration by animals or worms could also lead to the complete loss of remains for the soul.&#x0D; In the society of Ancient Rome, illuminated only by the flame of fire and the thirst for knowledge, the enjoyment of food and the continuation of the family were of great importance. Unsurprisingly, the ancients respected the sensations of eating. Thus, such exquisite dishes as lark tongue, black caviar, ostrich brain, Falernian wines at the time of Emperor Heliogabalus evoked a unique complex of sensations during eating. Examples of ancient Roman medical tools, including mirrors, found in the house of a surgeon from Pompeii (72 — 62 BC), prove the early tendency to visualize human insides. The qualification of the ancient masters of medical tools is confirmed by the fact that the principles used two thousand years ago have changed slightly.&#x0D; Thus, there were initial concepts of nutrition, digestion, diseases of the digestive tract, and even the rudiments of diagnosing these diseases in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome. They served as the basis for the further development of gastroenterological science.&#x0D;

The Enigma of the Hyksos, Volume 1: ASOR Conference Boston 2017—ICAANE Conference Munich 2018—Collected Papers

The Enigma of the Hyksos, Volume 1: ASOR Conference Boston 2017—ICAANE Conference Munich 2018—Collected Papers

Petosiris in his Tomb at Dachla: Venerating the Deceased in Roman Egypt.

The paper investigates the interesting classical figure of Petosiris in his Roman tomb at El-Mazawaka necropolis of Dakhla, who wears the traditional Greek garment of the chiton and the himation. It explores the high appeal of Petosiris to appear in this costume in his tomb? Is this a kind of a fashionable Hellenistic’s influence or it still has its Egyptian concept? Also, the paper highlights the funerary cult for the deceased in his tomb, through the offering-priests who venerate Petosiris on the walls of his tomb. Furthermore, the article analysis the ritual meaning of the objects in the hands of Petosiris. The classical figure of Petosiris confirms his high status as one of the elites in the community, as well as the mixture of Egyptian and Hellenistic - Romano art, and in fact,itdoes not resemble the ethic of the patron of the deceased either Egyptian, Greek, or Roman.

The oversimplification of ancient Egyptian concepts: Case studies from the Coffin and the Pyramid Texts

The paper presents several case studies on obscure words and passages in the Coffin Texts to demonstrate that this corpus remains significantly understudied and many of its current interpretations suffer from oversimplification. The comparative analysis of cognate passages and motifs throughout the Coffin and the Pyramid Texts highlights some so far unrecognized concepts in the early Egyptian mortuary texts and suggests that these texts are much more complicated than is commonly assumed.

THE HISTORICAL SENSE OF UNRELIABLE CLASSICAL ANCIENT STORIES ABOUT EGYPT

The origin is discussed of the classical ancient data about Egypt, which commonly seem unreliable. On considering two plots of this kind, about Polycrates and Busiris, the historical relevance of those stories may be suggested in spite of their obviously fantastic character. The ancient Egyptian ideology could have been the foundation for them. Irrelevant to social practice, both plots reflected the ancient Egyptian concepts of equilibrium and creating power of depictions. Thus, both texts may be seen as the evidence to specify our imagination about the ancient Egyptian picture of the world. The other fantastic classical ancient stories about Egypt can also be based on authentic concepts and be worth considering

Ancient Egyptian Concepts of Bodily Decay in the Old Kingdom Part 1, PT 684

Summary Old Kingdom descriptions of bodily decay are surrounded by assertions of revivification and the maintenance of a proper offering ritual. Thus, the contexts of lines describing bodily decay are first examined, focusing on Pyramid Text (PT) Utterance 684. The problems of preventing the decay of the corpse, and curing conditions of the living body associated with decay were interrelated in ancient Egyptian thought. Already in the Old Kingdom, terminology surrounding wet, drippy decay (r ḏ w, fdt, ḥ wꜢ and ḥ wꜢꜢ.t) was clear and well developed; sometimes incorporated into the offering ritual through association with libations; and paralleled in medical literature. In contrast, terminology which appears to refer to dry decay (jmk, rpw) is rare, and does not have more general uses outside of mortuary literature.

For the good of the Nation

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; This article analyzes Rifaʿa al-Tahtawi’s (d. 1873) idea of Egyptian nationhood (al-ummah al-miṣriyyah) and key attendant concepts, such as civilization (tamaddun), progress (taqaddum), homeland (waṭan), and citizen (waṭanī). I revisit the intellectual origins of his thought to move our understanding of his intellectual production beyond simply the influence of the European Enlightenment. Instead, I locate al-Tahtawi’s work as part of a conversation internal to the debates of the Islamic tradition, which stretches across centuries and was never meant to finish. Consequently, I contextualize his conceptualization of nationhood as an attempt to re-imagine a role for the Muslim community in Islamic political life – from which it had long been excluded – and ground Muslim political theory and practice within a normative Islamic framework. Furthermore, I contend that al-Tahtawi’s contributions to both the conversations of his immediate context and those of his tradition were underpinned by a shift in his generation’s horizon of expectations, namely, the shared assumptions through which they received the conversations of their tradition. Underpinning this shift was the redefinition of time as progress, specifically the progress of the nation. If we conceptualize the Islamic tradition as a framework for inquiry rather than as a set of doctrines, then we should recognize that al-Tahtawi and his peers’ new concern for the futurity of the nation represented a key addition to this framework.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

The Term of Nefer in Ancient Egyptian Conception

The Ancient Egyptian record their actions and doings on Temples and tombs' walls. Thus these writings commemorate their civilization. All writing had different expression and terms. Between these terms was the term of nefer. As, a result the idea and importance of this paper arise. This current study aims to shed light on the term of nefer in Ancient Egyptian conception and takes just examples to illustrate the meaning of the term only; show the different ways of its writing; indicate the different meaning of the term; refer to the term in personal and places names; point out the term in Egyptian gods descriptions; and finally show the term in personal names and titles. Throughout this study, the term nefer had different meaning according to the determinative. Furthermore, it used as a god and mentioned in personal names and titles.

Apotropaic Figures Based on Spell 182 in prt m hrw

The term (Altenmuller, 1977) means supposedly having the power to avert evil influences or bad luck. Apotropaic Figures refer to a large group of protective deities. They were represented either in the form of a complete animal and human or a mixture of them holding knives, lizards and snakes. Their aim was to create a protective environment around the deceased body and repel evil away from it. Those protectors were known since the Middle Kingdom as represented on the ivory wands. During the New Kingdom, they were shown on the papyrus rolls, on the walls of some royal tombs or taking the form of a three – dimensional wooden sculpture. In the Third Intermediate Period and Late Period, those protective deities appeared again on the walls of royal and private coffins and sarcophagi as well as papyri. They sometimes appeared in the form of stone figures with different forms and numbers. The current research was undertaken to define on the so-called apotropaic deities in Ancient Egyptian conception; to focus on the function of apotropaic deities in Ancient Egyptian religion; to determine the various forms and numbers (Taylor, 2010) of apotropaic deities throughout the history of Egypt beginning with their first appearance during the Middle Kingdom; to refer to creatures and tools held by the hands of apotropaic deities and their religious significance; to follow the development of representing the apotropaic deities from just scenes to three – dimensional figures in the New Kingdom royal tombs; and to mention the material and color of apotropaic figures. The results revealed that since the Middle Kingdom until the end of the Egyptian history, apotropaic deities in all their forms were considered as the responsible deities of repelling evil away of the deceased mummy and creating protective surroundings. Apotropaic deities are carved in the form of wooden and stone statuettes with different poses such as sitting, squatting, standing as well as half – turning.

Interreligious Dialogue and Politics in Revolutionary Egypt

This article analyses the socio-political dynamics of religious belonging in Egyptian society prior to the revolution and how these have been carried into the revolutionary flux with a focus on official dialogue. Official dialogue, it is argued, is a dialogue form specific to Egyptian society and politics used as a way of negotiating interreligious relations and political ties. First the Egyptian concept of official dialogue as a socio-political phenomenon will be analysed applying theories from sociology and political science, followed by an analysis of how interreligious relations and official dialogue was influenced by the upheaval in socio-political structures following the 2011 revolution.

Literary Forms/Techniques &amp; Methods of Study

Literary Forms/Techniques & Methods of Study Jaime A. Banister, WF Walter A. Vogels, Francis M. Macatangay, and Christopher T. Begg 1442. Edward L. Greenstein, "Fugitive Hero Narrative Pattern in Mesopotamia," Worship, Women, and War, 17-35 [see #2002]. G. proposes his own theory regarding the structure of the "fugitive hero narrative" (FHN) (i.e., someone is exiled or otherwise spends time away from home, often facing danger, and returns home as a hero) motif in ANE texts. According to G., there are fourteen elements to the FHN, though some of these are optional. Extra-biblical examples include Sinuhe (Egypt), Idrimi (North Syria), Hattushili III (Hatti), Esarhaddon (Assyria), and Nabonidus (Babylon); G. focuses on the latter two instances. Biblical passages exemplifying the pattern include Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and the story of Israel's beginnings (Canaan to Egypt and back to Canaan), though G. notes that the pattern is also found in a more limited form in a few other biblical passages (i.e., the stories of Hagar, Gideon, Jephthah, Absalom, Jeroboam ben Nabat, Hadad the Edomite, and Joash).—J.A.B. 1443. Marie-Françoise Maincent-Hanquez, "La Bible et les femmes: Les Américaines aux avant-postes de la théologie féministe," MScRel 73 (2016) 93-110. The New World where the Pilgrim Fathers settled granted the Bible a special status from the very beginning. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the first American woman to publish a critical book on the Bible entitled The Woman's Bible (1895–1898). Since then, in the United States, feminist theologians have continued to analyze and discuss the biblical material. Their theological reflections inspired women far beyond America. Still women's contexts and experiences have become so diversified that the fundamental original premises of feminist theology have been challenged from the side of multiple, evolutive, extended, and sometimes contradictory theological tendencies. However, rather than being seen as signs of weakness, these developments should be welcomed as proofs of feminism's ongoing vitality and energy. [Adapted from published abstract—W.V.] 1444. Saul M. Olyan, "Ritual Inversion in Biblical Representations of Punitive Rites," Worship, Women, and War, 135-43 [see #2002]. O. investigates three major motifs of ritual inversion in their relation to punitive rites in the Hebrew Bible. The first motif involves exhumation and how this treats human remains in a manner designed to reverse the funeral or burial rites which preserved the body. The second motif is that of imposing upon one's enemy humiliating depilation that if it were voluntarily done to oneself would be viewed as acts of mourning and/or humility. The third motif of ritual inversion is that of forcing Nazirites to break their vows by making them drink wine.—J.A.B. [End Page 480] 1445. Frank H. Polak, "Whodunit? Implicit Subject, Discourse Structure, and Pragmatics in the Hebrew and Greek Bibles," From Author to Copyist, 223-47 [see #2021]. P. discusses the phenomenon of the implicit subject of the given verb in the Hebrew Bible. The mention or non-mention of the subject in such biblical narratives as 2 Sam 13:24-27; Gen 25:29-34; 1 Kgs 21:4-7; Judg 3:20-25; and 2 Sam 2:20-23 is related to such literary phenomena as highlighting, discourse structure, the pragmatics of the action sequence and the presentation of the character (i.e., that character's success or failure in the spoken interaction and the way a character views him/herself). In other versions, such as in the DSS and the LXX, there is a preference for clarity over the pragmatics of the Hebrew text.—F.M.M. 1446. Matthieu Richelle, "Des yeux pour voir, des oreilles pour entendre … Comparison entre un motif biblique et un formule mésopotamienne," ZAW 124 (2012) 103-6. R.'s note compares the motif of blindness and deafness in biblical texts (esp. Isaiah) with an Akkadian formula that appears in Assyrian prayers and Babylonian oracles. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 1447. Nili Shupak, "Weighing in the Scales: How an Egyptian Concept Made its Way into Biblical and Postbiblical Literature," From Author...

The Representation of Heart in Sheikh Abd El Qurna Private Tombs during the 18th Dynasty

The current research was dedicated to shed light on the heart and its symbolism in the Ancient Egyptian conception; to study the importance of heart in Ancient Egyptian religion; to focus on the representation of heart in both daily and funerary scenes like heart necklace which is represented either worn by the tomb owner or offered to him in Sheikh Abd El Qurna private tombs; to spotlight on the religious symbolism of the different colors and numbers of heart in the scenes decorating the walls of Sheikh Abd El Qurna private tombs; to spotlight on the specific locations of heart in scenes and their relation with the Ancient Egyptian conception. as well as to focus on the chapters dedicated to the heart protection in the book of the Dead. The preliminary results indicated that heart was illustrated in different locations inside the tombs like on the walls of the hall, inner room, burial chamber and passage. Heart was represented in both the funerary scenes like purification and opening of the mouth and daily life scenes like offering food to the deceased in the 18th dynasty private tombs at Thebes especially in Sheikh Abd El Qurna Necropolis.

Technology and Its Influence on the Doctor-Patient Relationship

From the ancient egyptian concept of medicine to the present day, much has changed in the field of medicine, including new medications, procedures, equipment, and processes by which medical care is delivered. As clinicians adopt these molecular and biological advancements, incorporation of the dynamic transformation of the patient’s perspective into a relationship-centered medical paradigm needs to be undertaken for physicians to be successful in the new era of patient care. technology has helped transform the patient-physician relationship from one based on physician paternalism to one of more patient autonomy.

Ancient Egyptian &lt;i&gt;Ma�at&lt;/i&gt; or Old Testament deed-consequence nexus as predecessors of &lt;i&gt;ubuntu&lt;/i&gt;?

The Ancient Egyptian concept of Ma�at shows some analogies to the concept of ubuntu. Both concepts seem to presuppose that people in a given society are willing to act for each other. In Bible exegesis, the concept of Ma�at has attracted interest in connection with the Old Testament deed-consequence nexus (i.e. good consequences follow good deeds). The article looks at significant parallels between ubuntu, Ma�at and the deed-consequence nexus. Its aim is to outline questions that have been discussed in the context of those two ancient concepts and that could be helpful for future research on ubuntu.

Picturing the Pharaoh Through Language – Remarks on the Linguistic Image of the Egyptian King in the Old Kingdom Religious Texts

The author of the paper aims at scrutinising the linguistic image of the Egyptian pharaoh in the so-called Pyramid Texts. Was the Egyptian ruler perceived as a human representative of the god on Earth or rather was he a or the god himself? Special emphasis will be put on names and epithets of the King when described or referred to in religious texts of the Old Kingdom. This study is planned as a part of a future research project on picturing the pharaoh through language in religious and royal texts from the beginning of the Old Kingdom till the end of the New Kingdom, and realised in cooperation with Dr. Andrzej Ćwiek and Jadwiga Iwaszczuk.Furthermore, the paper is also a presentation of use of ethnolinguistic methods in Egyptology. Using scholarly methods of the ‘linguistic worldview’ research project in which the present author participates, it is intended to study selected ancient Egyptian concepts. Although language analysis as well as widely understood and studied ‘life context’ of ancient religious notions let us only a textual and linguistic reconstruction of the world presented, concurrently, helps us understand better the Egyptian religious way of description and thinking.

Egyptian concept of rational immune modulation: nature-friendly lifestyle for taking athero-protective phenotype.

A slightly lower rate of atherosclerosis in some tropical regions such as the Nile delta in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and sub-Sahara Africa is associated with evidences of increased helminthic co-infection. Attempts to eradicate helminthic infections led to the shift of immune balance toward T helper 1 cells and their related cytokines. This shift is parallel with atherogenesis and its related complications. Atherosclerosis is a degenerative man-made disease which begins in early life. Thus, preventive strategies should begin at the same time. As an example to follow, living with old friends, adaption of a more nature-friendly lifestyle and "fine immune-modulation" plans from early childhood, like Egyptians, seems a good option. Finally, a proper intentional balance between T helper 1 and 2 cells should be defended and constructed environmentally in the manner compatible with modern hygiene using a soft application of old hygiene. This needs robust understanding of atheroprotective habits in regions with lower burden of atherosclerosis.

Some Cognitive Aspects of the Luxor-Karnak Relationship

The role of the Luxor-Karnak relationship within the sacred space of eastern Thebes during the New Kingdom is analyzed taking into account cognitive aspects. In particular, the orientation of the so-called Avenue of the Sphinxes and the successive bends effected in the enlargements of the Luxor temple are shown to be related to already ancient, familiar aspects of the Egyptian conception of sacred landscapes. These results confirm that the main function of this “mysterious” temple was to be a place where the royal and the divine powers were annually rejuvenated.