Jump to content

Nine bows

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Cote d'Azur (talk | contribs) at 13:29, 25 July 2020 (edit). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Bronze Sphinx of Thutmose III, showing Pharaoh reclining on the Nine Bows. The front of the statuette uses the lapwing Rekhyt bird to say: "all the people give praise", using the hieroglyphs, nb, for all, the lapwing, for the people, and the star, for praising; (this is a rebus). Djed pillars of "Dominion" are on the side.

The nine bows is a term used in ancient Egypt to represent the traditional enemies of Egypt. The peoples covered by this term changed over time, as enemies changed, and there is no true list of the nine bows.[1] When illustrated the nine bows are usually shown as dressed differently from each other, as they each personify a specific enemy relevant to the time period.

Pharaoh Djoser

One of the oldest representations of the Nine bows is on the seated statue of Pharaoh Djoser–his feet rest upon part of the nine bows, a term given to southern Nubians.[2] The Rekhyt bird-(lapwing) is often associated in the iconography, with the phrase: "all the peoples give praise".

Tutankhamun's tomb

Pharaoh-King Tutankhamun has a famous representation of the Nine Bows: the nine foreign enemies. The tomb was closed with a knotted rope, and the rope impressed with a clay seal. The seal contains an impression with Anubis, reclining as a jackal, at the top list of the Nine foreign rebels, in a long, vertical cartouche-image.

Examples of works featuring the Nine Bows
  • The Keftiu- (Caphtor)-K-f-t-U-foreign land determinative; (defeated peoples, Ramses II Temple at Abydos)
    The Keftiu-
    (Caphtor)-K-f-t-U-foreign land determinative; (defeated peoples, Ramses II Temple at Abydos)
  • The Bronze Sphinx of Thutmose III reclining over the Nine Bows; also visible are the Djed pillars of Dominion on the side of the socle
    The Bronze Sphinx of Thutmose III reclining over the Nine Bows; also visible are the Djed pillars of Dominion on the side of the socle
  • Nectanebo II statue pedestal. Ntr-Nfr-(Pharaoh-Wonderful), and "All the people make praise".
    Nectanebo II statue pedestal.
    Ntr-Nfr-(Pharaoh-Wonderful), and "All the people make praise".
  • Part of base of basalt royal statue. Queen's feet on 9 bows before an offering table. Hotep sign at front edge. Hes vase with spouted vases and lamp. Late Period. From Egypt. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London
    Part of base of basalt royal statue. Queen's feet on 9 bows before an offering table. Hotep sign at front edge. Hes vase with spouted vases and lamp. Late Period. From Egypt. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nine bows (hieroglyphs).
  1. ^ Wilson, 2005, p.61
  2. ^ "Enemies of Civilization: Attitudes toward Foreigners in Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China", Mu-chou Poo, Mu-chou Poo Muzhou Pu. SUNY Press, Feb 1, 2012. p. 43. Retrieved 7 jan 2017

Sources

  • Kevin A. Wilson (2005). The Campaign of Pharaoh Shoshenq I Into Palestine. Mohr Siebeck.
Stub icon

This article about subjects relating to Ancient Egypt is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nine_bows&oldid=969445390"