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2017 February

Heavy is the head that wears the crown

Jeff Burzacott February 8, 2017

We are used to seeing the mighty pharaohs portrayed in a fairly consis­tent, idealised way: strong, confident, and ageless.

But around 1870 B.C., during Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, the 12th Dynasty king, Senusret III, had a totally different idea for the image he wanted to present to eternity.

While his body remained athletic and youthful, the king’s expression now held a sombre mood, as though the burdens of caring for his people and the responsibilities of kingship were getting him down.

As this quartz head shows, the lined fore­head, heavy-lidded eyes and downturned mouth all combine to make Senusret III look old and tired.

Thoughts vary on the statement Senusret was trying to make; from authoritarian and determined, to pessimistic and anxious, and even old and wise.

The carving is so expressive it has been suggested that this may be one of those rare instances where we can look upon a reasonable likeness of the king.

However, Senusret’s new style is more likely to have been an ideological device; statues of Senusret’s son, Amenemhat III, also look like he took the job rather seriously. Even portraits of early 13th Dynasty kings display elements of Senusret’s innovative style. As time went on, however, royal portraiture started smiling again and drifted back to a more traditional style, where the face and not just the body, showed a stoic, confident man in his prime.

Recently, a team from the Penn Museum, Univer­sity of Pennsylvania, announced the discovery at Abydos of a large underground vault, built to house a fully-sized boat. The boat burial is close to and con­temporary with the subterranean tomb of Senusret III.

Learn more about this fascinating discovery, and why it means the king probably never got to enjoy his pyramid, in the latest issue of Nile Magazine. Subscribe to the print or digital editions from the Subscribe page, and enjoy your Nile time!

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Satisfy your passion for ancient Egypt.NILE Magazine June-July 2017 is out now. Inside:- The Tomb-1000 years of robbery and reuse.- Egypt's first ever funerary garden discovered.- World Museum's new ancient Egypt gallery.- Art and Archaeol…

Satisfy your passion for ancient Egypt.
NILE Magazine June-July 2017 is out now. Inside:
- The Tomb-1000 years of robbery and reuse.
- Egypt's first ever funerary garden discovered.
- World Museum's new ancient Egypt gallery.
- Art and Archaeology meet: the two worlds of Susan Osgood.
- The Royal Tombs of Ancient Egypt.
- Aswan's powerful governors.
- On This Day in Egyptology history.
- Plus much more.

Click on the cover to subscribe.

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Because You Love Ancient Egypt