Egyptian Iconography Part 1

Summary

This introduction to Egyptian iconography explores the significance of divinity and afterlife for Egyptian kings, contrasting with the Mesopotamian focus on victory and governance. It outlines the chronological divisions of Egyptian kingdoms and the influence of historian Manetho's 'Aegyptiaca.' The script delves into Egypt's geography, the Nile's role in agriculture, and the concept of order symbolized by the river's fertile banks. It discusses the importance of a unified Egypt under one king, the significance of the god Horus, and the cultural value of Ma'at. The video encourages viewers to learn more about Egyptian creation myths and the concept of Ma'at.

Takeaways

• 🔱 The Egyptians placed great emphasis on the divinity of their kings and ensuring a prosperous afterlife, contrasting with the Mesopotamians' focus on kingly victories and governance.
• 📜 The Aegyptiaca by Manetho, a historian under Greek rule, provides a chronology of Egyptian dynasties, offering insight into the continuity of Egyptian culture over two thousand years.
• 🌍 Egyptian culture was centered around the Nile River, with Upper Egypt being upstream and Lower Egypt referring to the delta, despite the common misconception about their geographical locations.
• 🏞 The Nile's annual flooding was crucial for agriculture, creating a fertile black soil that symbolized life, order, and the cycle of seasons in Egyptian ideology.
• 👑 The concept of a divine king emerged in the Pre-Dynastic Period, with figures like King Menes marking the transition to the Early Dynastic Period.
• 🎨 Egyptian art, such as sunken relief sculptures, utilized strong light-dark contrasts to depict their gods and kings, emphasizing the importance of order and life.
• 👁 The eyes of the god Horus held significance, with the right eye representing the sun and the left eye associated with the moon, reflecting the duality and balance in Egyptian cosmology.
• ⚱️ The ankh symbol and the scarab beetle were important symbols of everlasting life and rebirth, respectively, in Egyptian iconography.
• 🔮 The double crown, worn by Horus and Egyptian kings, signified统治 power over both Upper and Lower Egypt, embodying the ideal of a unified kingdom.
• 🌟 The Egyptian creation myth, featuring gods like Atum, Geb, Nut, and their offspring, including Osiris and Isis, provides a foundation for understanding their complex pantheon and the concept of Ma'at, which represents truth, balance, and order.

Q & A

What was the primary focus of Egyptian iconography in relation to their kings?

The primary focus of Egyptian iconography was on the divinity of their kings and assuring that those kings had a good afterlife.

How many dynasties are known from the writings of Manetho?

At least 30 dynasties are known from the writings of Manetho, as recorded in his work called the Aegyptiaca.

What geographical feature was central to Egyptian culture and its influence on their art and thought?

The Nile River, which flows from the south to the north and into the Mediterranean Sea, was central to Egyptian culture and influenced their art and thought.

What is the significance of Upper and Lower Egypt in the context of the script?

Upper Egypt refers to the area upstream along the Nile, while Lower Egypt refers to the delta region. These terms were used to describe the territories and were significant in the unification under a single king.

How did the ancient Egyptians view their time differently from the concept of four seasons?

The ancient Egyptians viewed their time in three seasons centered around the inundation season of the Nile, known as Akhet, Peret, and Shemu, which correspond to the flooding, sowing, and harvesting seasons.

What does the color black symbolize in Egyptian ideology according to the script?

In Egyptian ideology, the color black symbolizes life, order, and the fertile soil brought by the Nile's inundation.

What does the color red represent in the Egyptian cultural context as described in the script?

The color red in the Egyptian cultural context represents death and chaos, associated with the desert surrounding the Nile's fertile banks.

What is the significance of Horus wearing the double crown in Egyptian iconography?

Horus wearing the double crown signifies ruling power over both Upper and Lower Egypt, indicating a unified rule which was the bar set for all Egyptian kings.

What is the meaning of the ankh symbol in Egyptian iconography?

The ankh symbol in Egyptian iconography is associated with everlasting life.

What is the significance of the scarab beetle in Egyptian culture as mentioned in the script?

The scarab beetle is associated with rebirth in Egyptian culture.

What is Ma'at in the Egyptian context, and where can one find more information about it?

Ma'at represents the concept of truth, balance, order, harmony, and justice in the Egyptian world. More information about Ma'at can be found in the Egyptian creation myth on the bigmyth.com site.

Outlines

00:00

🔱 Introduction to Egyptian Iconography

This paragraph introduces the topic of Egyptian iconography, contrasting it with the Mesopotamian focus on kingly victory and governance. The Egyptians emphasized the divinity of their kings and their afterlife. The historical context is provided through the Egyptian dynasties, which are well-documented thanks to the historian Manetho's 'Aegyptiaca.' The paragraph also covers the geographical aspects of Egypt, highlighting the Nile River's importance and the cultural consistency over two millennia. The social structure evolution from settlements to a unified kingdom under divine kings is discussed, with a focus on the Early Dynastic Period and the significance of the Nile's flooding cycle to Egyptian life and beliefs.

05:03

🌟 Egyptian Symbolism and Mythology

The second paragraph delves into Egyptian symbolism, with a focus on the god Horus and his representation of power over both Upper and Lower Egypt through the double crown. It discusses other significant symbols like the ankh and the scarab beetle, associated with life and rebirth. The paragraph also explores the Egyptian creation myth, emphasizing the importance of Ma'at, the concept of truth, balance, order, and justice. It mentions the Egyptian pantheon, including the gods Geb, Nut, Osiris, Seth, Isis, and Nephthys, and encourages viewers to learn more about Ma'at through an external resource. The artistic techniques of raised and sunken relief sculpture are also highlighted, with an example of how they were used to depict the pharaoh's role as Horus' earthly incarnation.

Keywords

💡Divinity of kings

The divinity of kings refers to the belief that Egyptian rulers were not only political leaders but also divine beings. This concept is central to the video's theme as it highlights the Egyptians' focus on their kings' connection to the divine, which was essential for their legitimacy and ability to ensure a good afterlife. The script mentions that Egyptians were 'much more interested in the divinity of their kings' than their military victories, setting them apart from the Mesopotamian cultures.

💡Dynasties

Dynasties in the context of the video refer to the sequence of rulers from the same family or lineage in ancient Egypt. The video discusses the chronology of Egyptian history in terms of Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, which are based on the understanding of at least 30 dynasties, as documented by the historian Manetho in his work 'Aegyptiaca'. This term is crucial for understanding the political structure and the continuity of Egyptian civilization.

💡Manetho

Manetho was an Egyptian historian and priest who lived during the Ptolemaic period. He is mentioned in the script as the source of our knowledge about the Egyptian dynasties, having written 'Aegyptiaca' in Greek. His work is significant to the video's narrative as it provides a historical framework for understanding the rulers and the timeline of ancient Egypt.

💡Geography of Egypt

The geography of Egypt is highlighted in the video as a critical factor in the development of its civilization, centered around the Nile River. The script describes Upper and Lower Egypt, with the former being upstream and the latter referring to the delta region. This geographical distinction is essential for understanding the cultural and political divisions that existed before the unification under a single king.

💡Inundation season

The inundation season, or the annual flooding of the Nile, is a key concept in the video that illustrates the agricultural cycle and the life-giving properties of the river. The script explains how the flooding left behind fertile soil, which was essential for planting and harvesting, thus linking the river's cycles to the Egyptian concept of life, order, and the afterlife.

💡Divine king

The concept of a divine king is introduced in the video as a figure who is both a political leader and a religious icon. This is exemplified by the script's mention of King Menes and the development of early Egypt, where the king's divine status was integral to the social and religious fabric of the civilization. The divine king was seen as a crucial link between the earthly and divine realms.

💡Horus

Horus is an ancient Egyptian deity represented in the video as the god of the earth and often associated with the pharaoh, who was considered Horus's incarnation on earth. The script describes Horus wearing the double crown, symbolizing his rule over both Upper and Lower Egypt. Horus's eyes, particularly the wedjat or 'Eye of Horus,' are also mentioned, representing the sun and protection.

💡Ma'at

Ma'at, as suggested by the video, is a fundamental concept in ancient Egyptian religion and philosophy, representing truth, balance, order, and justice. The video instructs viewers to explore the Egyptian creation myth to understand the significance of Ma'at, which was essential for maintaining cosmic order and was closely linked to the king's role in ensuring a prosperous and harmonious society.

💡Sunken relief

Sunken relief is an artistic technique mentioned in the video, characterized by carving the outline of a figure and then creating the image in relief within that outline. This technique is highlighted as a way to create strong light-dark contrasts, making the artwork visible from a distance. It is an example of the artistic skills and the aesthetic principles that were prevalent in ancient Egyptian art.

💡Cosmogonies

Cosmogonies refer to the myths of creation, explaining the origin of the world and the gods. The video discusses the Egyptian creation myth, which involves gods like Atum, Geb, Nut, and their offspring, including Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephthys. Understanding these cosmogonies is crucial for grasping the religious beliefs and the cultural narratives that shaped ancient Egyptian society.

💡Afterlife (Duat)

The concept of the afterlife, or 'Duat' in ancient Egyptian belief, is a recurring theme in the video. It represents the destination of the soul after death, where the deceased would undergo judgment and potentially enjoy eternal life. The script emphasizes the importance of the afterlife in Egyptian culture, with the king's role being to ensure order and serenity in life, which would facilitate a safe passage to Duat.

Highlights

Introduction to Egyptian iconography and its focus on the divinity of kings and their afterlife.

Chronology of Egyptian dynasties through the work of historian Manetho's 'Aegyptiaca'.

Egyptian culture's homogeneity and continuity over two thousand years.

Geographical significance of the Nile River in ancient Egyptian civilization.

Concept of Upper and Lower Egypt and their roles in the kingdom's structure.

Development of agrarian village systems and the emergence of kingship in pre-dynastic Egypt.

The importance of the Nile's inundation season for Egyptian agriculture and society.

Egyptian seasonal cycle consisting of Akhet (inundation), Peret (sowing), and Shemu (harvesting).

Symbolism of black and red colors in Egyptian ideology representing life and death.

Concept of 'maat' as order, serenity, and a key to a safe passage into the afterlife.

Horus as the Egyptian god of the earth, symbolizing ruling power over both Upper and Lower Egypt.

The double crown as a symbol of unified rule over Egypt.

Ankh and scarab beetle as symbols of everlasting life and rebirth in Egyptian iconography.

The role of the pharaoh as the incarnation of Horus on earth, legitimizing his rule.

Sunken relief sculpture technique used in Egyptian art for creating light-dark contrast.

Egyptian creation myth involving Atum, Geb, Nut, and the birth of Osiris, Seth, Isis, and Nephthys.

The significance of Ma'at in Egyptian culture and its association with cosmic order.

Transcripts

Hi everyone, This is your introduction to Egyptian  iconography. We just finished our unit on the  

Mesopotamians and we saw how those people,  the Akkadians, the Assyrians, the Persians,  

they were very interested in their kings  being victorious in battle and in their kings  

showing the ability to govern well. Now the  Egyptians were equally interested in their kings  

but they're much more interested in the divinity  of their kings and assuring that those kings had  

a good afterlife. Now we know about the Egyptian  kingdoms. We talk about the chronology in terms of  

Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom, and  this is based though on an understanding of the  

Egyptian dynasties, at least 30 dynasties, that  we know about simply because of the writings of  

one historian, a man, a scribe who was  living in Egypt under Greek rule, and so he  

wrote in Greek. His name was Manetho, and he wrote  something called the Aegyptiaca. It's from this  

work that we have a solid understanding of the  names of the various kings, and a few queens,  

and how they ruled over that two thousand  year period. And it also shows us how very  

homogeneous Egyptian culture was, and this is also  backed up by material evidence, as to how very  

much things stayed the same from one century to  the next in Egyptian thought, religion, and art.  

Now you know the geography of Egypt. This  is a river valley culture surrounding the  

Nile River that flows from the south to the  north and dumps into the Mediterranean Sea.  

Now the geography shown here with upper and  lower Egypt circled: This is as we talk about  

ancient Egypt; this is as they talked about  their own territory, Upper Egypt referring to  

up the Nile, upstream, and Lower Egypt referring  to the delta itself. Don't be confused,  

Lower Egypt is actually northern Egypt. Now before  the kings, we understand that there were groupings  

of settlements, there were transitory, beginning  in the eighth millennium. And then people began  

to work with the waters, with the inundation  season of the Nile, the flooding of the Nile,  

and an agrarian village system grew. Ultimately  these communities banded together in attempts to  

work with the river and the land even more, on a  larger scale, and this gradually compounded into  

larger and larger social units necessitating a  stronger governing body. In steps the idea of  

the king. Well, not just the king, but a divine  king is attested to in the Pre-Dynastic Period,  

in the middle of the fourth millennium, such that  by the time we hit the Early Dynastic Period in  

the dates shown here, we have the names of kings.  King Menes, for instance. The city here in green,  

Hierakonpolos, has a very nice archaeological  stratigraphy showing us the development of early  

Egypt. Now the Egyptians didn't think of  their time in four seasons but in three,  

all surrounding this inundation season. I've  listed them for you, the Akhet, the Peret, and the  

Shemu, the inundation, the sowing season, and the  harvesting season. So the flooding would happen,  

and then when the waters would recede, the banks  of the Nile were covered with this beautiful black  

fertile soil that had been brought from  Upper Egypt. And so there was planting  

and then ultimately harvesting. So it was the  river that and its black soil that brought life  

every year. And this is one thing you see in  an ideology of the Ancient Egyptians that the  

river banks were associated with the color  black, with life, and with a sense of order.  

Whereas on either side of those banks was the  desert, associated with the color red, and with  

death and chaos. So in Egyptian ideology it was  important to stay within an ordered sense of life,  

within that cyclic sense of the seasons, because  that order brought life, and ultimately serenity,  

and ultimately a safe passage into the afterlife,  what the Egyptians called duat, D U A T.  

Now this is an image of Horus in a line drawing  that you see on the right. This is the Egyptian  

god of the earth. And he's seated in what we call  a composite pose. He's seated on this square and  

you see his legs in profile and then his torso,  well those shoulders look like they are facing us,  

and then his head is in profile as well. This is  a composite pose. It's also called a twisted pose,  

such that the most recognizable angle of the body  or of the figure is shown. Horus here is wearing a  

certain crown. We understand this certain crown  as showing a ruling power over both Upper and  

Lower Egypt. He's wearing what we call the double  crown. So if you look at the far left you can see  

that the white crown looks like this club shape,  it is associated with Upper Egypt, southern Egypt,  

and the red crown, it has this beautiful volute,  this great spiral in it, it is associated with  

the delta area. For an Egyptian king to  rule well, to rule with an ordered sense,  

and to secure his serenity and therefore his safe  passage to the afterlife, then the most important  

thing to do was to rule a unified Egypt, both  Upper and Lower Egypt together. This was the bar  

set for all Egyptian kings. Now in the lower tier  here you can see other images. Perhaps you've  

seen the ankh before, a image associated with  everlasting life. The scarab beetle associated  

with rebirth. Here is the image of the god Horus  but in a complete falcon presence. You can see  

in the drawing he only has a falcon head on a  male body. And then there are images just of  

Horus' right and left eye that have meaning. His  right eye, the wedjat of Horus, is associated with  

the sun. So if you look at a great stone relief  sculpture here, here on the side of a temple,  

on the right you see Horus is god of the earth.  You can see he has a very elaborate crown  

on. There are umpteen different kinds of crowns  really in the Egyptian world. And there is a king,  

a pharaoh, that's approaching him to give him  an offering. The pharaoh is considered the  

incarnation of Horus on earth. It gives his role  legitimacy. Also I want you to note in this image  

that this is not just a raised relief sculpture.  It's actually a sunken relief sculpture. You can  

see the baseline, the ground line, of the wall  has been carved into. A great line has been made  

on the outline of the figure here, and then within  that outline an image has been carved in relief.  

Now this is called sunken relief, and it has  the effect of creating a very strong light-dark  

contrast. You could see it effectively  from a great distance. Now the Egyptian  

pantheon has great creation myths, great  cosmogonies. This is one of them, that  

Atum was the first god, and from Atum come the  spirits of wetness and dryness. And then, in turn,  

the god of the earth, Geb, and a female god of the  sky, Nut, and from these two come four children,  

two men, two women, Osiris, Seth, Isis, and  Nephthys. Here's an image with more of these gods  

and goddesses. There's Nut in the sky, and her  mate Geb stretched out on the earth as the earth,  

and then father Shu, the dryness, in the middle.  I'd like you to go to the bigmyth.com site, look  

in the upper lefthand corner you'll see the word  "Myths" and select the Egyptian creation myth.  

And as you're watching it, note what it says about  Ma'at. I want you to understand what Ma'at means  

in the Egyptian world. So now you're done with  this first video, so go watch that Egyptian myth.