Shrine of King Taharqa

West wall of the of the Shrine of King Taharqa

King Taharqa and the gods of Gamaten (the temple at Kawa). Taharqa offers a loaf, a necklace, a pectoral and a figure of Ma’at (symbol of cosmic order) to the ram-headed god Amun-Re. Behind god’s throne stand the goddesses Anukis Nethy, Satis and Anukis Ba.

Shrine of King Taharqa

North wall of the of the Shrine of King Taharqa

On the left, the god Ptah-Nun-Wer embraces King Taharqa. Further right, the king stands before Sekhmet and Nefurum-Hoahkhty, the other two gods of the Memphite Triad. Symbols representing’ life’, ’stability’ and ‘power ‘ extended symbolically towards Taharqa  from god’s sceptre.

Shrine of King Taharqa

East wall of the of the Shrine of King Taharqa

King Taharqa and the gods of Thebes. He offers a ‘white loaf to his father’, Amun-Re, accompanied by Mut, Khonsu and Muntu.

Sandstone wall of King Aspelta

Sandstone wall of King Aspelta

King Aspelta offering Ma’at (Truth) to the ram-headed god Amun-Re, who is accompanied by the goddess Anukis (left).

Sandstone wall of King Aspelta

The doorway gave access to a small chamber between the shrine of  King Taharqa and the main temple wall.

Shrine of King Taharqa

King Aspelta receives life from the god Amun-Re, who is accompanied by the goddess Mut (left).

  • All quotes taken from signboards at the Ashmolean Museum

8 Comments CherryPie on Mar 31st 2015

8 Responses to “Two Kings”

  1. Ginnie says:

    You know me, Cherry…I’d love to know how old these stone carvings are!

  2. I’m surprised that they didn’t take the column from the North Wall back!

  3. Astrid says:

    Impressive set of pictures. Always very interesting to see the art from that time… and amazing it still exist.

    • CherryPie says:

      I am always in awe of these old artworks. The people who made them seem more advanced than we are today. I am glad they are preserved so that we can see them and wonder…

  4. james higham says:

    The colouring is amazing in there.