Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt

builders in Egyptian history, SETI I(r. 1306–1290 B.C.E.)
and RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) of the Nineteenth
Dynasty and RAMESSES III(r. 1194–1163 B.C.E.) of the
Twentieth Dynasty, reigned during this age.
Seti began work on the second and third pylons
of Karnak and instituted the Great Hall, completed by
his son, Ramesses II. Ramesses II also built the RAMES-
SEUMin Thebes. He left an architectural legacy as well
at PER-RAMESSES, the new capital in the eastern Delta.
Medinet Habu, Ramesses III’s mortuary temple complex,
which included a brick palace, displays the same archi-
tectural grandeur. This was the last great work of the
Ramessid era of the New Kingdom.
The most famous of the Ramessid monuments, other
than the great mortuary temples at Abydos, was ABU SIM-
BEL, completed on the 30th anniversary of Ramesses’
reign. The rock-carved temple was hewn out of pink
limestone. With the fall of the Ramessids in 1070 B.C.E.,
Egypt entered into a period of decline.

THE THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD

(1070–712 B.C.E.)

The division of Egypt into two separate domains, one
dominating politically in the Delta and the other held by
the high priests of Amun in the south, resulted in a col-
lapse of artistic endeavors in the Third Intermediate
Period. The rulers of the Twenty-first (1070–945 B.C.E.)
and Twenty-second (945–712 B.C.E.) Dynasties had few
resources for advanced monumental construction. At
times they had even less approval or cooperation from
the Egyptian people.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The modest royal tombs of this period, mostly con-
structed at Tanis, were built in the courtyards of existing
temples. They are not elaborately built and have
mediocre decorations. The funerary regalias used to
bury the rulers of these royal lines were often usurped
from the previous burial sites of older pharaonic com-
plexes. Gold was scarce, and silver became the dominant
metal used.
The Twenty-third Dynasty (828–712 B.C.E.) and
Twenty-fourth Dynasty were even less capable of restor-
ing artistic horizons in the nation. No monuments of
note resulted from these rulers, who governed limited
areas and were contemporaries. They barely maintained
existing structures and did not advance the artistic
endeavors to a notable level.

THE LATE PERIOD (712–332 B.C.E.)

The artistic horizons of Egypt would be revived by the
Twenty-fifth Dynasty (712–657 B.C.E.), whose rulers
came from Napata at the fourth cataract of the Nile in
Nubia (modern Sudan). Their own cultural advances at
Napata and other sites in Nubia were based on the cultic
traditions of ancient Egypt. They moved north, in fact, to

restore the old ways to Egypt and imprint realism and a

new vitality on old forms.

ART

The Twenty-sixth Dynasty (664–525 B.C.E.), once again

composed of native Egyptians, despite its brevity, contin-

ued the renaissance and added refinements and elegance.

This royal line left a deep impression in the land and

restored the artistic vision.

The Twenty-sixth Dynasty rulers used large-scale

bronze commemoratives, many inlaid. The jewelry of the

period was finely done and furniture was high level in

design and construction. The tomb of Queen TAKHAT(3),

the consort of PSAMMETICHUS II(595–589 B.C.E.), discov-

ered at Tell Atrib, contained many articles of exquisite

beauty, including golden sandals. The portrait of a priest

of the era, called “the Green Head,” has fine details and

charm. The ATHRIBIS Treasure, which dates to this

dynasty, contained golden sheets belonging to AMASIS(r.

570–526 B.C.E.). The surviving architectural innovation

of this time is associated with the high mounds of sand,

supported by bricks that formed the funerary structures

of the age. No significant monuments arose, however, as

Egypt was engaged in regional wars that drained re-

sources and led to an invasion by the Persians.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple of MENDES, built in this dynastic era, and the

additions made at Karnak, the temple complex in Thebes,

and at Medinet Habu demonstrate the revival of art and

architecture.

The Persians, led by CAMBYSES(r. 525–522 B.C.E.),

ruled Egypt as the Twenty-seventh Dynasty (525–404

B.C.E.). While recorded by contemporary Egyptians as a

royal line that was cruel, even insane and criminal in

some instances, the Persians erected a temple to Amun at

KHARGA OASIS.

The final renaissance of architecture before the Ptole-

maic Period came in the Thirtieth Dynasty. The rulers of

this royal line revived the Saite formand engaged in mas-

sive building projects, led by NECTANEBO I(r. 380–362

B.C.E.). All of the arts of Egypt were revived in his reign.

Nectanebo I built in Philae, Karnak, Bubastis, Dendereh,

and throughout the Delta. He also added an avenue of

finely carved sphinxes at Luxor. In Dendereh he erected a

mammisi,or birth house. Much of the architectural work

accomplished in this dynastic era reflected the growing

Greek presence in Egypt, but the traditional canon was

respected and used in reliefs and portraits.

THE PTOLEMAIC PERIOD (332–30 B.C.E.)

Art

Ptolemaic artists continued the Egyptian styles but added

fluidity and Hellenic influences in statuary, jewelry, and

crafts. In ALEXANDRIA, such art was transformed into

art and architecture 53