Statue of King Merenptah as Standard Bearer
GEM 2234

Statue of King Merenptah as Standard Bearer

This statue shows King Merenptah, the thirteenth son and successor of the great Ramesses II, depicted in an uncommon and symbolically rich pose—as a standard bearer. Merenptah ruled during the 19th Dynasty, around 1213–1203 BCE, at a time when Egypt was maintaining its power amid external threats from Libyans and Sea Peoples. In this statue, the king is shown standing, gripping a tall ceremonial standard. At its top would have once stood a sacred emblem—possibly the head of a deity, a royal insignia, or a symbolic animal—each conveying divine legitimacy and cosmic order. These standards, known to the ancient Egyptians as "medu shepsy" or sacred staffs, were more than ornamen ... Discover more with Premium!
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