The Akhenaten Colossi of Karnak - Hardcover

Manniche, Lise

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9774163494 ISBN 13: 9789774163494

Publisher: The American University in Cairo Press, 2010

Synopsis

Some of the most fascinating sculptures to have survived from ancient Egypt are the colossal statues of Akhenaten, erected at the beginning of his reign in his new temple to the Aten at Karnak. Fragments of more than thirty statues are now known, showing the paradoxical features combining male and female, young and aged, characteristic of representations of this king. Did he look like this in real life? Or was his iconography skilfully devised to mirror his concept of his role in the universe? The author presents the history of the discovery of the statue fragments from 1925 to the present day; the profusion of opinions on the appearance of the king and his alleged medical conditions; and the various suggestions for an interpretation of the perplexing evidence. A complete catalog of all major fragments is included, as well as many pictures not previously published.

About this title

About the Author:

Lise Manniche was educated at the universities of Copenhagen and Cambridge. She is the author of numerous books and articles on ancient Egyptian art, music, sexual life, perfume, Theban tombs, and especially the Amarna period.

About this edition

• Publisher: The American University in Cairo Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 9774163494
• ISBN 13: 9789774163494
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208