Statue of the military commander Amasis
The lower part of this statue is in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo; it had been found already headless at Saft el Henna in the Egyptian Eastern Delta in 1898, and was matched with the head by Herman De Meulenaere in the 1950s. The complete statue depicts Amasis kneeling with his hands placed flat on his thighs, and provides name and titles that identify the statue as the general Amasis.
Amasis' career began under Necho II, flourished under Psamtik II, and continued through into the reign of Apries. While his shoulders bear the names of Apries, the lower part of the statue is inscribed with the name of Psamtik II, refers to Amasis as Chief of Troops and Royal Messenger, and to his having done what his majesty loved in the land of Nubia. Moreover, Amasis' ''good name'' is Neferibre-nakht, which refers to Psamtik II as powerful.
Indeed, Amasis was a miliary leader delegated by Psamtik II. Greek, Phoenician and Carian inscriptions on the colossi at Abu Simbel record the passage of the military force sent by Pharaoh Psamtik II in 593 BC into Nubia, apparently a delayed reaction to the Kushite rule during Dynasty 25. One particular inscription at Abu Simbel specifies that Amasis was one of the two leaders of the force, commanding the Egyptian troops while another general commanded the foreign-speaking troops.
The face is characteristic of the mid-26th Dynasty.
Amasis' career began under Necho II, flourished under Psamtik II, and continued through into the reign of Apries. While his shoulders bear the names of Apries, the lower part of the statue is inscribed with the name of Psamtik II, refers to Amasis as Chief of Troops and Royal Messenger, and to his having done what his majesty loved in the land of Nubia. Moreover, Amasis' ''good name'' is Neferibre-nakht, which refers to Psamtik II as powerful.
Indeed, Amasis was a miliary leader delegated by Psamtik II. Greek, Phoenician and Carian inscriptions on the colossi at Abu Simbel record the passage of the military force sent by Pharaoh Psamtik II in 593 BC into Nubia, apparently a delayed reaction to the Kushite rule during Dynasty 25. One particular inscription at Abu Simbel specifies that Amasis was one of the two leaders of the force, commanding the Egyptian troops while another general commanded the foreign-speaking troops.
The face is characteristic of the mid-26th Dynasty.
Artwork Details
- Title: Statue of the military commander Amasis
- Period: Late Period, Saite
- Dynasty: Dynasty 26
- Reign: reigns of Necho II through Apries
- Date: 600–570 BC
- Geography: From Egypt, Eastern Delta, Saft el-Hina (Per-Sopdu)
- Medium: Metagraywacke
- Dimensions: H. 18 × W. 13.8 × D. 9.3 cm (7 1/16 × 5 7/16 × 3 11/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966
- Object Number: 66.99.68
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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4th century B.C.
360–343 BCE
278–270 B.C.
690–610 B.C.
300–250 B.C.
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