EGYPT UNDER THE PHAROAHS APAH GARDINER CHAPTER 3-2 PP.
59-64
Slide 2
THE OLD KINGDOM 2575-2134 BCE The fist of three great period of
Egyptian history Old Kingdom Middle Kingdom New Kingdom Djoser and
the Third Dynasty are included in the Old Kingdom
Slide 3
THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZEH Greatest architectural achievement
of the Old Kingdom One of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world
Three pyramids built over 75 years Tombs of the Fourth Dynasty
pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure Culmination of evolution of
mastabas
Slide 4
GREAT PYRAMIDS 2500 BCE, GIZEH, EGYPT Giant monuments to dead
pharaohs Each had an enjoining mortuary temple Huge pile of
limestone blocks -> minimal interior for deceased Pharaoh buried
within the pyramid Each side oriented toward a point on the compass
Symbolize the sun
Slide 5
BUILDING THE GREAT PYRAMIDS Limestone quarried from the Gizeh
plateau Roughly equal sized blocks transported to the building site
and dressed ASHLAR MASONRY = cut and regularly shaped blocks piled
in successive rows Great rubble ramps piled against the core of
pyramid -> linear ramps? Zigzag or spiral ramps? Outer layered
cased in white limestone blocks
Slide 6
THE GREAT SPHINX 2500 BCE, GIZEH May be a portrait of Khafre
-> it sits in front of his pyramid Carved IN SITU from a huge
spur of rock SPHINX = lion with human head -> symbol of the sun
god Originally brightly painted to stand out in the desert
Slide 7
KHAFRE ENTHRONED 2500 BCE Primary material for funerary
statuary was stone Seated statue of Khafre Carved from diorite
Wears a simple kilt, sits rigidly upright on throne with
interlocking lotus and papyrus plants at base-> united Egypt
Idealized features and body Flawless, perfect, ageless ideal
proportions = the divine nature of the Pharaoh Pose is frontal,
rigid, symmetrical -> eternal stillness
Slide 8
MENKAURE AND KHAMERERNEBTY 2490-2472 BCE Double portrait stone
sculpture of the Pharaoh Menkaure and his wife Figures attached to
stone, arms and legs not cut free -> high relief Pose is rigidly
frontal, arms hanging straight down, close to well built body, in
stride -> symbolize kingship She is in similar pose, one arm
around him, left gently on his arm Looking out into space ->
timelessness
Slide 9
SEATED SCRIBE 2500 BCE Painted limestone Not a pharaoh ->
sagging chest, protruding belly -> signs of aging Lifelike, but
not a portrait -> composite image of a scribe Rule of
portraiture -> as a human subjects importance decreases,
formality is relaxed and realism is increased
Slide 10
TOMB OF TI, SAQQARA TI WATCHING THE HIPPOPOTAMUS HUNT, 2400 BCE
Painted relief in the mastaba of Ti, a govt. official Successful
hunt was a metaphor for triumph over evil Ti stands aloof and above
the hunters -> shows status Hierarchy of scale Twisted
perspective CANON = system of proportions to the human figure ->
strictly followed