This block is decorated with a traditional scene representing King Ramesses the Second massacring his enemies. He wears a complete, elegant costume; the Blue Crown adorned with the uraeus, the collar called usekh, an elaborate garment, two armlets, two bracelets and sandals.
He holds, in his left hand, three prisoners by their hair while in his right hand he holds an axe with which he is about to strike them. The facial features, the hairstyle and the beards of the enemies indicate that they belong to three different peoples: the Nubians, the Libyans and the Syrians.
The theme of the pharaoh massacring enemies is an ancient one, known since the First Dynasty and can be seen, for example, in the palette of King Narmer.
Present location |
EGYPTIAN MUSEUM [01/001] CAIRO EM |
Inventory number |
JE 46189 |
Dating |
RAMESSES II/USERMAATRE-SETEPENRE |
Archaeological Site |
MIT RAHINA/MEMPHIS |
Category |
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT |
Material |
LIMESTONE |
Technique |
CARVED |
Height |
50 cm |
Width |
88 cm |