Egyptian Rulers and their Gods

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Egyptian Rulers and their Gods

The relationship between Egyptian rulers and their gods were ever present in many examples of Egyptian art throughout the many changes in leadership. The depictions of these relationships, however, were not always consistent from ruler to ruler, dynasty to dynasty. The Palette of Narmer, Seated Statue of Khafre, and Akenaten and Nefertit and their Children are three prime examples of the differences in depiction from one period to another.

The Palette of Narmer, done around 3000 B.C. in the Predynastic Period, depicts King Narmer as the most important figure of the work. A system of hierarchical proportions is important to this piece. Narmer’s dominating size and central position on the front side of the work point to his importance; whereas, his sandal-bearer and defeated rivals are smaller in size and thus, less important. Horus, the falcon god of sky and kingship, is also very large and is shown at Narmer’s head height, showing his importance as a god. The relationship between the two characters is depicted as that of a partnership. Narmer subdues the ruler of Lower Egypt while Horus holds captive symbols of Lower Egypt, six papyrus plants. Also notable is the frontal views of the heads of Hathor, the cow goddess, whose relationship is depicted as that of a protector of Narmer and is found of either side of the palette. On the reverse side, we again find hierarchical proportions at work as well as Hathor protecting and helpi...

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