ANT 309:
Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids
(Predyn.–Second Intermediate Period: 5,000-1550 BC)
Lecture 22:Dyns.7-11: First Intermediate Period.
© Notes & images compiled by Gregory Mumford 2016
Selected questions regarding the First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11):
• What do we know of the disintegration of Egypt’s late Old Kingdom (Dyns.7-8)
and the rise of smaller rival kingdoms? i.e., Thebans versus Hierakleopolitans.
• Is there any validity to later Dyn. 12 literary accounts regarding the preceding
FIP being a time of political and social turmoil, drought & famine & incursions?
• What do we know about the FIP from contemporary textual-pictorial accounts?
• What does the archaeological evidence tell us about this period?
• Is there agreement between textual-pictorial sources & archaeological data?
• How does the archaeological data modify our views about the FIP?
• How does the FIP represent a major time of transition for Egypt, regarding:
- Kingship and centralized power?
- Social organization?
- Dispersal of wealth amongst different social classes?
- Religious beliefs?
• Do the apparent modifications in the Ancient Egyptians’ outlook change
later in the Middle Kingdom? (king’s loss of prestige; powerful governors; etc.)
• Pay attention to the apparent changes that emerge during the FIP to Middle
Kingdom periods: political, religious, social, art, architecture. Material wealth, +
THE F.I.P. “DARK AGE”:
Collapse of the Old Kingdom
(Dyns.6-8: 2,200 - 2,150 BCE)
The First Intermediate Period
(Dyns.9-11: 2,150 - 2,040 BCE)
The Rise of the Middle Kingdom
(Dyns.11+: 2,040 BCE+)
OK
FIR
ST
IN
TE
RM
ED
IAT
E
PE
RIO
DM
IDD
LE
KIN
G.
Late Old Kingdom
through
First Intermediate Period
Late Dyn.6: 2278-2181 BC MEMPHIS5. Pepy II 6. Nemty-emsaf II 7.Qn. Nitocris/other?
DYN.”7”: (Manetho)“70 kings for 70 days” (NOT in Abydos or Turin King Lists)
DYN.8 (2181-2161) nominal rule at MEMPHIS1. Netrikare 12.Pepyseneb (Neferkare VI)
2. Merikare 13.Anu (Neferkamin II)
3. Neferkare (II) 14.Ibi (Qakare)
4. Nebi (Neferkare III) 15.Neferkauhor
5. Schemai (Djedkare II) 16.Neferirkare (II)
6. Chendu (Neferkare IV) *.Wadjkare
7. Merenhor *.Shechemkare
8. Neferkamin *.Imhotep
9. Nikare *.Iru
10.Tereru (Neferkare V) *.Iytenu
11.Neferkahor
DYNs.9-10 (Herakleopolis): 2161-2040 BC3. Neferkare (VII)
4. Cheti
6. Cheti son of Neferkare Early Dyn.11 THEBES
*. Cheti (Meribre) 1. Montuhotep I
*. Cheti (Nebkaure) 2. Intef I
*. Cheti (Wahkare) 3. Intef II
*. Merihathor(?) 4. Intef III
*.Merikare 5. Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre)
LATE DYN.11 (RE-UNITED): 2040-1991 BC THEBES
5. Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre) *. Intef (Qakare)
6. Montuhotep III (Sankhkare) *. Ibi-cheur-re
7. Montuhotep IV (Nebtawyre) *. Segerseni
DYNASTY 12: 1991-1782 BC ITJ-TOWY / LISHT
1. Amenemhet I 4. Senwosret II 7. Amenemhet IV
2. Senwosret I 5. Senwosret III 8. Qn.Sobekneferu
3. Amenemhet II 6. Amenemhet III
“Collapse” of the Old Kingdom:
ca. 2200 BCE
FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD
(Dyns. “7” – Early 11: 2200-2040 BC)
Pharaoh:
From “god-king” to “mortal”
in transition toward a new society
Rise of the individual & individualism
Late Old Kingdom to First Intermediate Period:
Dyns.6-8 to 9-11, ca.2300 – 2040 BC.
Dynasties 1-8 (ED; OK; early FIP):
• Capital essentially at Memphis
• Fairly continuous line of rulers
Dynasties 9-11 (core FIP):
• 2150?-2040 BC
• Major break with prior Dynasties
acknowledged in Turin King List
Abydos King List
• Multiple provincial polities
E.g., Ankhtifi of Mo‘alla & Edfu
E.g., Thebes
• Major kingdom: Hierakleopolis
+Thebes (later)
OK
FIR
ST
IN
TE
RM
ED
IAT
E
PE
RIO
DM
IDD
LE
KIN
G.
Late Old Kingdom
through
First Intermediate Period
Late Dyn.6: 2278-2181 BC MEMPHIS5. Pepy II 6. Nemty-emsaf II 7.Qn. Nitocris/other?
DYN.”7”: (Manetho)“70 kings for 70 days” (NOT in Abydos or Turin King Lists)
DYN.8 (2181-2161) nominal rule at MEMPHIS1. Netrikare 12.Pepyseneb (Neferkare VI)
2. Merikare 13.Anu (Neferkamin II)
3. Neferkare (II) 14.Ibi (Qakare)
4. Nebi (Neferkare III) 15.Neferkauhor
5. Schemai (Djedkare II) 16.Neferirkare (II)
6. Chendu (Neferkare IV) *.Wadjkare
7. Merenhor *.Shechemkare
8. Neferkamin *.Imhotep
9. Nikare *.Iru
10.Tereru (Neferkare V) *.Iytenu
11.Neferkahor
DYNs.9-10 (Herakleopolis): 2161-2040 BC3. Neferkare (VII)
4. Cheti
6. Cheti son of Neferkare Early Dyn.11 THEBES
*. Cheti (Meribre) 1. Montuhotep I
*. Cheti (Nebkaure) 2. Intef I
*. Cheti (Wahkare) 3. Intef II
*. Merihathor(?) 4. Intef III
*.Merikare 5. Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre)
LATE DYN.11 (RE-UNITED): 2040-1991 BC THEBES
5. Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre) *. Intef (Qakare)
6. Montuhotep III (Sankhkare) *. Ibi-cheur-re
7. Montuhotep IV (Nebtawyre) *. Segerseni
DYNASTY 12: 1991-1782 BC ITJ-TOWY / LISHT
1. Amenemhet I 4. Senwosret II 7. Amenemhet IV
2. Senwosret I 5. Senwosret III 8. Qn.Sobekneferu
3. Amenemhet II 6. Amenemhet III
First Intermediate Period
(ca. 2,200/2,150 – 2,040 BCE):
Historical Overview
Provinces vs. Court
In Dyns. 7-8.
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Decentralization
Early FIP: Dyns.7-8 (2200?-2150 BC).
Provinces vs. royal court:
• Monumental pyramid building ends
• A few minor, small pyramids
E.g., Dyn.8 Pyramid Texts (Ibi)
30 x 30 m small pyramid at Saqqara
• Large-scale building projects cease
• Large statuary virtually/totally absent
• Smaller statuettes are found
- mostly in wood
- some in stone
30 x 30 m
Dyn.6-10 Royal Pyramids
Dyn.6 King Pepy II Saqqara
Dyn.8 King Aba / Ibi Saqqara
Dyn.10 King Khui Dara (ME)
Ibi/Aba
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Decentralization
Early FIP: Dyns.7-8
(2200?-2150 BC).
Provinces vs. royal court
(continued):
• Some ties with Memphis:
- King sending craftsmen
to provinces
- Marriage alliances with
powerful provincial rulers.
• Provincial governors have
provincial courts (retainers)
• Social elite in provinces
(not at court like in OK)
• Officials hold hereditary
posts in administration.
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Decentralization
Early FIP: Dyns. 7-8 (2200?-2040 BC).
Provinces (continued):
• Prov. elite competing with royal court
• Decorated prov. tombs emerge
• Prosperous provincial centres
• Ea. prov. accesses its own resources
(reduced redistribution from Memphis)
• Prov. centres & regionalism in arts
- ideas spreading to provinces.
- provincial craftsmen emerging.
• Poorer people = better off / wealthier
• More individualism & diversity
First Intermediate Period
(ca. 2,200/2,150 – 2,040 BCE):
Historical Overview
Transition from
Dyn.8 to early Dyn.9
OK
FIR
ST
IN
TE
RM
ED
IAT
E
PE
RIO
DM
IDD
LE
KIN
G.
Late Old Kingdom
through
First Intermediate Period
Late Dyn.6: 2278-2181 BC MEMPHIS5. Pepy II 6. Nemty-emsaf II 7.Qn. Nitocris/other?
DYN.”7”: (Manetho)“70 kings for 70 days” (NOT in Abydos or Turin King Lists)
DYN.8 (2181-2161) nominal rule at MEMPHIS1. Netrikare 12.Pepyseneb (Neferkare VI)
2. Merikare 13.Anu (Neferkamin II)
3. Neferkare (II) 14.Ibi (Qakare)
4. Nebi (Neferkare III) 15.Neferkauhor
5. Schemai (Djedkare II) 16.Neferirkare (II)
6. Chendu (Neferkare IV) *.Wadjkare
7. Merenhor *.Shechemkare
8. Neferkamin *.Imhotep
9. Nikare *.Iru
10.Tereru (Neferkare V) *.Iytenu
11.Neferkahor
DYNs.9-10 (Herakleopolis): 2161-2040 BC3. Neferkare (VII)
4. Cheti
6. Cheti son of Neferkare Early Dyn.11 THEBES
*. Cheti (Meribre) 1. Montuhotep I
*. Cheti (Nebkaure) 2. Intef I
*. Cheti (Wahkare) 3. Intef II
*. Merihathor(?) 4. Intef III
*.Merikare 5. Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre)
LATE DYN.11 (RE-UNITED): 2040-1991 BC THEBES
5. Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre) *. Intef (Qakare)
6. Montuhotep III (Sankhkare) *. Ibi-cheur-re
7. Montuhotep IV (Nebtawyre) *. Segerseni
DYNASTY 12: 1991-1782 BC ITJ-TOWY / LISHT
1. Amenemhet I 4. Senwosret II 7. Amenemhet IV
2. Senwosret I 5. Senwosret III 8. Qn.Sobekneferu
3. Amenemhet II 6. Amenemhet III
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Transition period
Early FIP (Dyns. 7-8) late FIP (Dyns.9-11).
Transition in provincial government:
• Tension between royal court
and provincial courts.
• Provincial courts increasingly
independent.
• Provincial nobility play major role
in socio-economic & political change.
• Some traditional prov. ruling families
kept links with Memphite royal court.
• Many new provincial ruling families
and lineages appearing in FIP.
E.g., Nomarch (governor) Ankhtifi
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Militaristic period.
Early FIP Dyns. 7-8 late FIP Dyns.9-11.
Militaristic period (civil war):
• Local recruiting of troops to form
personal provincial armies.
• Formerly the king dictated the
mustering of a national army from
all provinces.
• Nomarch Ankhtifi omits mention of
the king (either nominal or de facto).
• Prov. rulers acting on their own
behalf & on authority of local deities.
• Nomarchs,as overseers of cults, now
function directly as patrons of cults:
national “king” inactive in local cults
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Transition period
Early FIP (Dyns. 7-8) late FIP (Dyns.9-11).
Transition in provincial government:
Dyn.8/9 Nomarch: Ankhtifi (Mo‘alla):
• = a new provincial ruler & lineage
• He expands control over Edfu
• Governor of 2nd & 3rd Nome (S.Egypt)
“Great Overlord of the Nomes of Edfu
and Hierakonpolis”
“Overseer of priests”
• i.e., He controls secular and religious
offices like his contemporaries.
• Legitimizing personal & local power:
- Boasts of feeding the hungry
- Caring for the weak
- Sheltering the homeless
- Protecting the oppressed, etc.
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Transition period
Early FIP (Dyns. 7-8) late FIP (Dyns.9-11).
Militaristic period (civil war):
Dyn.8/9 Nomarch: Ankhtifi (Mo‘alla):
• Allusion to an alliance or extension of
control over First Upper Egyptian nome
at Elephantine:
“I am the van of men, the rear of men.
one who finds counsel where needed.
A leader of the land, collected in thought,
on the day the three nomes were joined.
I am the champion who has no peer,
who spoke out when the nobles were
silent, on the day fear was cast and
Upper Egypt was silent.”
Dyn.8/9 Mo’alla (Southern Egypt):
Tomb of nomarch Ankhtifi:
= displays very unconventional art (vs. OK)
Dyn.8/9 Mo’alla:
Tomb of nomarch Ankhtifi.
• Unconventional art
• Strange colouring for animals, etc. & garish
First Intermediate Period
(ca. 2,200/2,150 – 2,040 BCE):
Historical Overview
Rise of the
Hierakleopolitans &
later Theban kingdoms
OK
FIR
ST
IN
TE
RM
ED
IAT
E
PE
RIO
DM
IDD
LE
KIN
G.
Late Old Kingdom
through
First Intermediate Period
Late Dyn.6: 2278-2181 BC MEMPHIS5. Pepy II 6. Nemty-emsaf II 7.Qn. Nitocris/other?
DYN.”7”: (Manetho)“70 kings for 70 days” (NOT in Abydos or Turin King Lists)
DYN.8 (2181-2161) nominal rule at MEMPHIS1. Netrikare 12.Pepyseneb (Neferkare VI)
2. Merikare 13.Anu (Neferkamin II)
3. Neferkare (II) 14.Ibi (Qakare)
4. Nebi (Neferkare III) 15.Neferkauhor
5. Schemai (Djedkare II) 16.Neferirkare (II)
6. Chendu (Neferkare IV) *.Wadjkare
7. Merenhor *.Shechemkare
8. Neferkamin *.Imhotep
9. Nikare *.Iru
10.Tereru (Neferkare V) *.Iytenu
11.Neferkahor
DYNs.9-10 (Herakleopolis): 2161-2040 BC3. Neferkare (VII)
4. Cheti
6. Cheti son of Neferkare Early Dyn.11 THEBES
*. Cheti (Meribre) 1. Montuhotep I
*. Cheti (Nebkaure) 2. Intef I
*. Cheti (Wahkare) 3. Intef II
*. Merihathor(?) 4. Intef III
*.Merikare 5. Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre)
LATE DYN.11 (RE-UNITED): 2040-1991 BC THEBES
5. Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre) *. Intef (Qakare)
6. Montuhotep III (Sankhkare) *. Ibi-cheur-re
7. Montuhotep IV (Nebtawyre) *. Segerseni
DYNASTY 12: 1991-1782 BC ITJ-TOWY / LISHT
1. Amenemhet I 4. Senwosret II 7. Amenemhet IV
2. Senwosret I 5. Senwosret III 8. Qn.Sobekneferu
3. Amenemhet II 6. Amenemhet III
NORTH KINGDOM, Late FIP Dyn.10 King Khui’s tomb at Dara (Middle Egypt)
DARA
Some small prov. tombsHerakleopolitans
Intef: tomb at el-Tarif (W. Thebes)
Southern Theban kingdom (late FIP):
• (Intef) expanding upon the earlier,
expansionist trends of Ankktifi;
• Establishing a Theban kingdom
in southern Egypt
• Opposing Hierakleopolitan Kngdm
in northern Egypt.
FIP, Dyn.8/9: Nomarch INTEF:-Earliest known nomarch of Thebes,
= called Intef
-He combined the title of nomarch
("great overlord of the Theban
nome") with the position of
"Overseer of priests“
-He controlled a province that had been
of little importance during the Old Kingdom.
-His titulary included
a. "great overlord of Upper Egypt“
b. "King's confidant at the narrow gateway
of the South“
(the cemetery of Dendera in nome 6
yielded a stela of this Intef).
-Hence, it is possible that Thebes dominated
southern Egypt even in the early
Heracleopolitan (Hierakleopolitan) period.
Nomarch
Ankhtifi
Nomarch
Intef
FIP, Dyn.11: Montuhotep (I)("The ancestor/original"):
-Son of Theban nomarch Intef
-Later acknowledged as Horus Tepya (1st one)
(ancestor of line of Dyn.11 Theban kings)
-His younger son, Intef II, erected a statue
of Montuhotep I in shrine at Elephantine
(placing his father's name in a cartouche).
-Later Karnak Temple King List also places
Montuhotep I's name in a cartouche, giving
him the honour of a full king of Egypt.
-It is likely that Montuhotep I either rejected
the postulated Heracleopolitan suzerainty
over southern Egypt, or simply began building
the Dynasty 11 kingdom at Thebes.
Elephantine
?
FIP, Dyn.11: KING INTEF I (= Inyotef I):
-Eldest son succeeding Montuhotep I.
- Holds Horus-name Sehertowy
(“Pacifier of the Two Lands”)
- Adopts royal title “Son of Re”
- Virtually no details known about his reign.
Domestic affairs:
-He and his father ruled as "Head of the South"
(i.e., southern Egypt as far as Elephantine).
-Note: a private tomb mentions a king Intef,
whom Vandier equates with Intef I:
-This Intef is described as …
a. dealing successfully with a famine,
b. carrying out services for gods Montu, Amun,
Re and Hathor,
c. capturing the Two lands, and
d. punishing his enemies.
FIP, Dyn11: KING INTEF IEl-Tarif: new tomb type: saff (“row”)-tomb:
a. Courtyard 300 x 54 m
b. 3 sides: small tomb chapels of officials.
c. rock-cut portico with 12 doorways leading
through 2 rows of columns to a central chapel.
d. Central chapel flanked by tomb chapels of wives?
e. Chapel wall surfaces flaked-off (decorated?)
f. Chapel with shaft leading to burial chamber.
g. Dyn.20 account notes small mud brick “pyramid”
(stela with image of king standing before pyramid)
h. 1860 excavations of Mariette yielded part of stela
in front of an offering chapel 265 yards east of
the royal courtyard and associated tomb.
Intef IWives? of
Intef I
FIP, Dyn.11: KING INTEF II-Younger son of Montuhotep I
-Brother of Intef I
-Horus Wahankh ("enduring of life")
-He assumes the title nesw-bity:
“King of UE and LE” & “Son of Re”
-He omits the five royal names.
-Reigns about 51 years
Domestic affairs:
-Expands and consolidates Theban kingdom
south to Elephantine (name on boulder).
-Fights the Heracleopolitans
-Captures nome of This (Abydos), expanding
Theban kingdom north to Aphroditopolis (This)
-Possible counter-attack from Heracleopolis
(e.g., tomb of Ity-yeb).
-Thebans retain control of Thinite nome (Abydos)
-By end of Intef II's reign, he had assumed
peaceful and commercial relations with the
Heracleopolitan kingdom.
Theban
Kingdom
(Intef II)
FIP, Dyn.11: KING INTEF II.-He donated items to the Temple of Montu(?)
and to the temples of other deities.
-He built temples, stairways, gates, and
established offering foundations to temples
throughout the Theban kingdom.
-The earliest ruler attested at Karnak Temple
(a column bears the name of Wahankh Intef II).
-He placed a statue of himself and his father
Montuhotep I in the temple of Hekayib (deified
governor) at Elephantine.
-Commissioned construction of chapels for deities
Satet and Khnum in shrine at Elephantine,
embellishing chapels with doorjamb inscriptions.
Royal Burial:
-Continued saff/row tomb at El-Tarif (W. Bank)
FIP, Dyn.11: KING INTEF III.- Elderly when he ascends the throne
- Turin Canon: 8 year reign.
- Horus-name: Nakht-neb-tep-nefer.
Domestic affairs:
-Formerly obscure Theban god Amun begins to appear:
e.g., Stela of official Amenemhet ("Amun is foremost").
-Maintains control of Abydos.
E.g., Prince Ideni of Abydos relates that King Intef III
approved his actions managing a famine and crisis.
-Restores temple of Hekayib (Elephantine).
-Adds sandstone doorway to Satis Temple.
Burial place: Unfinished tomb (S. of Intef I-II)
Dyn.12 re-build of
Dyn.11 shrine
FIP, Dyn.11: MONTUHOTEP II:Phase-1: first 14 years.
- Ascended throne with
Horus-name Sankh-ib-towy
“Making-the-Heart-of-the-Two-Lands-to-live”
- Year 14 of Montuhotep II:
- Supporters of Heracleopolitan kingdom
attempt to return This (Abydos) to the
northern kingdom,
-This sets off a new war between
Thebes and Heracleopolis.
-Montuhotep II fought Heracleopolis
until he defeated and took Heracleopolis
ca. 2,040 B.C., re-uniting Egypt under
one ruler again.
-It may have taken longer to secure the
delta, but later king lists call Montuhotep
the founder of the Middle Kingdom.
Ca. 2,040 BC reunification of Egypt
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11):
Famine & providing relief
Stela of Butler Merer of Edfu (FIP)
“I buried the dead and nourished the living,
wherever I went in this drought which occurred”
Stela of Treasurer Iti of Imyotru (near Gebelein) (FIP)
“I nourished Imyotru in years of misery”
“I gave Upper Egyptian barley to Iunu, to Hefat,
after Imyotru had been supplied”
Stela of Steward Seneni of Coptus (FIP):
“I measured out Upper Egyptian barley as sustenance
for this whole town … in the painful years of distress”
Prophecy of Neferti (MK on FIP): Propagandistic text
“Dry is the river of Egypt; one crosses the water on foot”
Admonitions of Ipuwer (MK on FIP): Propagandistic text
“The storehouse is bare, its keeper is stretched on the ground”
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11):
Political instability
Prophecy of Neferti: (Dyn.12 about FIP): Prop. text
“The land is shrunk, its rulers are many”
Admonitions of Ipuwer (Dyn.12 about FIP) Prop. text
“Towns are ravaged, Egypt became wasteland.
Instruction to King Merikare: (Dyn.10 in FIP)
“Strengthen your borders, your frontier patrols:
“Guard your borders, secure your forts”
“A shameful deed occurred in my time.
The nome of This (Abydos) was ravaged;
though it happened through my doing,
I learnt it after it was done,
Egypt fought in the graveyard,
destroying tombs in vengeful destruction …”
First Intermediate Period: Brigandry.
Admonitions of Ipuwer (Dyn 12 on FIP): Propagandistic text
“One sits in the bushes till the night traveller comes,
in order to plunder his load”
“The king has been robbed by beggars;
… what the pyramid hid is empty”
“Lo, magic spells are divulged, spells are made worthless
through being repeated by people”
First Intermediate Period: Social reversals.
Prophecy of Neferti (MK on FIP): Propagandistic text
“Men will live in the graveyard, the beggar will gain riches,
The great [will rob] to live”
Admonitions of Ipuwer (MK on FIP): Propagandistic text
“Those who were entombed are cast on high ground”
“The serf becomes an owner of estates”
“He who could not make a coffin owns a tomb”
First Intermediate Period: Social reversals.
Admonitions of Ipuwer (MK on FIP): Pr. text
• “Verily, paupers have become men of affluence,
and he who could not provide sandals for himself
is now the possessor of wealth”
• “Verily, the son of one whose name is known,
lacks recognition, and the child of his wife becomes
the son of his maidservant.”
• “Verily, gold, lapis lazuli, silver, turquoise, carnelian,
amethysts, emeralds(?), and all precious stones adorn
the necks of maidservants, Noble looking ladies are
throughout the land, …”
• “Verily, [life] is abhorrent to the hearts of the noble
woman, for their bodies are wretched because of
their ragged clothes …”
• “Verily, citizens are consigned to work the millstones
and those who were once clothed with fine linen are
unjustly beaten. Those who once did not see the
daylight can now go out with no restraint.”
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Socio-economic changes
Early FIP: Dyns.7-8 (2200?-2150 BC).
Socio-economic changes:
• Archaeological record reveals
national socio-economic changes
• Many more cemeteries & tombs
- Population growth in Nile Valley
- More intense and efficient
exploitation of agriculture(?)
• Commoners (non-elite):
a. Tombs & graves larger
b. More grave goods & better quality
E.g., Stone cosmetic vessels,
jewellery (gold & jewels)
• Provincial capitals vs. towns:
larger & better elite & non-elite tombs
Nomarchs’ tombs
Retainers’
graves
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Trade disrupted
Disruption to international trade
in late Dyn.6-FIP: ca. 2200-2000 BC
Admonitions of Ipuwer (MK on FIP):
“None indeed sail north to Byblos today”
What then are we to do for cedar trees
for our mummies? For the priests are
entombed in the wood of such trees,
and the nobles even as far as Keftiu
(Crete) are embalmed with the oil
thereof. But these things arrive (here)
no longer.”
= Cessation of maritime trade with
Syria!
No fine cedar for coffins, etc.
First Intermediate Period
Ca.2,200/2,150 – 2040 BCE.
The “democratization”
of religion throughout Egypt.
The Osiris Cult:A shared destiny from commoner to king
Late Dyn.5 – 8 and First Intermediate Period:-The rise of Osiris (an underworld deity & “lord of the dead”)
changes in Old Kingdom religion & mortuary architecture.
Late Dyn.5:
• Osiris in royal Pyramid Texts (Unas)
a. Decorating pyramid burial chambers
b. Prayers, liturgies & spells protecting king
and ensuring resurrection in King’s tombs
• Osiris cited in some private false door
stelae (offering formulae)
Dyns.6-8:
• Osiris becoming a major deity in Egyptian
pantheon (especially deity of afterlife).
• Pyramid Texts appear in Queen’s tombs
in reign of Pepy I and later.
Dyns.9-11 (F.I.P.):
• Private persons adopting Pyramid Texts &
related spells in coffin interiors and
sometimes on walls of burial chambers.
OSIRIS
FIP – MK religion:• “Democratization” of religion and
funerary beliefs and practices.
• New focus on the Osiris cult
• Now aimed at individuals attaining
an afterlife independent from king.
(i.e., elite, middle class, & poor).
• People no longer relied on the king’s
beneficences for the afterlife
(i.e., the tomb & its furnishings)
• Everyone could now “shape” their afterlife
OSIRIS:
• Originally a vegetation deity
• Linked with annual cycle of planting
(insemination), growth (gestation),
harvest dry season (birth death)
• Associated with fertility & giving life
• Became deceased king of Underworld
(i.e., “Field of Reeds”)
FIP – MK religion:
OSIRIS (continued):
• Usually depicted as a bandaged
mummiform figure with royal
insignia: crook, flail, divine beard
• Becomes a divine judge
• Symbol of victory of good (maat)
over evil (isfet).
• He had emerged reborn successfully
after death belief that he therefore
help others be reborn successfully.
• Osiris became accessible to everyone
after the Old Kingdom collapsed.
• Only real requirement to enter the
Field of Reeds = moral fitness.
FIP – MK religion:
OSIRIS (continued):
• Usually depicted as a bandaged
mummiform figure with royal
insignia: crook, flail, divine beard
• Becomes a divine judge
• Symbol of victory of good over
evil.
• He had emerged reborn successfully
after death belief that he therefore
help others be reborn successfully.
• Osiris became accessible to everyone
after the Old Kingdom collapsed.
• Only real requirement to enter the
Field of Reeds = moral fitness.
Concept of judgement hall emerges
i.e., live righteously to enter afterlife
FIP – MK religion:
Field of Reeds (Underworld):
• Below the Western Horizon
• On a cluster of islands
• Resembled Egypt in life, but
lacked any hostile elements
(disease; inimical beings)
• Fertile land
• Warm climate
• Dead received plots to cultivate
• Middle to Upper Classes aimed
for a better style of living, like
in their lifetimes:
i.e., furnishing tombs with items
desired for afterlife
• BUT, still needed to house and
provision ka-spirit in the tomb.
• Funerary equipment for both the
tomb & afterlife.
New Kingdom
example
MK: Beni Hasan rock-cut tombs
FIP – MK religion:
Three concepts of eternity:
1. Kings (royalty):
• Later building pyramids again
in Dynasties 12-17
• Return to the concept of joining
deities in the heavens.
2. Middle-Upper classes:
• Adopting Old Kingdom royal
funerary beliefs
• Building better tombs and
furnishings
3. Poorer classes:
• Aspired simply to cultivate land
plots in the Field of Reeds for
eternity (base expectation).
Umm el-Gaab
Royal ka-chapels and
Khentyamentiu Temple
Abydos: Temple of Khentyamentiu & Osiris and pilgrimages.
Dyn. 1 tomb of King Djer (Umm el-Gaab, Abydos)
Late FIP-Middle Kingdom = equated with tomb of Osiris, Lord of the Dead
Funerary enclosures
ABYDOS (Cult Centre of Osiris in Middle Egypt):
Middle Kingdom and later pottery offerings along processional route.
(Amelineau estimated about 8 million pots: mostly offering bowls/cups)
4000 pots per year over 2000 years
Rise of the cult of Osiris (at Abydos)
Sacred pilgrimage to Abydos (in life / afterlife)
“Democratization” of religion
(i.e., royal Pyramid Texts private coffins)
Dyn.11 Tomb of Meketre (Thebes)
Middle Kingdom: Pilgrimage to Abydos in the afterlife.
• Many of the builders of chapels at Abydos, actually resided, died, and were buried
elsewhere in Egypt.
• Cenotaph shrines of diverse social strata allowed deceased to partake in Osiris cult
festivities for perpetuity.
FIP trends in burials:• Elite FIP burials similar to late OK and early MK ones.
Regional variations:• Politically subdivided land Material cultural differences throughout Egypt:
• Distinct burial customs within different regions:
1. Arts & crafts: E.g., regional pottery types
2. Coffin types/styles E.g., Akhmim (exterior offering list by Wadjet eyes)
E.g., Gebelein (unique form of hieroglyphs)
E.g., Asyut (late FIP doubling of exterior texts)
E.g., Saqqara (maintaining OK traditions)
3. Object placement E.g., Sedment (wooden models beside body)
E.g., Qau-Mostagedda (similar, but less common)
4. Stelae E.g., Naga ed-Deir (many tombs with a stela)
E.g., Thebes-Gebelein (UE style of stelae)
5. Stone slab dec. E.g., Denderah (large mastabas with stone slabs)
6. Coffin-like burial E.g., Harageh (2 tomb chambers like coffins -spells)
7. Weaponry E.g., Late FIP bows & arrows in various cemeteries
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Material culture.
Early FIP: Dyns.7-8 (2200-2150).
Material culture assemblage:
Regionalism/diversity/prosperity:
• FIP population deviate from
traditional forms.
• innovations in arts & crafts:
Major changes in FIP artifact
types, forms, styles, and quality.
• Regional diversity: e.g., pottery
Trend: ovoid to bag-shaped pots
• Commoners’ burials begin
using special funerary items:
e.g., models & funerary figurines
mummy mask (cartonnage)
slab stelae
Early Dynasty 11
(Late First Intermediate Period)
Saff (“row”) tomb of Intef I-III
at Thebes (generic example).
Example of Theban royalty:
- Tombs of elite courtiers and
family members were placed
beside/in the king’s tomb
complex.
Intef II
FIP (Dyns.7-11): Qau-Mostagedda:
5,000 burials late OK, FIP, early MK.
- Unusually wealthy for FIP (much gold)
Necklaces & armlets with amulets:
- small gold birds
- carnelian legs & hands
- button seals (usually with females)
- Scarab seals (worn by men)
religious & status symbol
- Male items: tools & weapons generally
- Female items: jewellery
cosmetic items (mirrors
in box by coffin foot)
grinding stones (food
preparation at home)
- Pottery & calcite vessels = common
most functional food containers
but with minimal traces of food
First Intermediate Period
(Dyns.7-11): Painting.Early FIP: Dyns.7-8 (2200?-2150)
Tomb painting & motifs:
• New regional styles of
painting.
• Some different conventions
from Old Kingdom.
E.g., Different colour schemes
Irregular proportions
• Some new images of daily life:
e.g., spinning & weaving.
• Some modifications to
traditional motifs / scenes.
• Range in quality from “poor” to
very good (more lively).
F.I.P.: Tomb of Ity at Gebelein
Thebes: Tomb of Djar
Dyn.11: Theban Tomb of Djar:
Note elongation of figures; human body more angular (diff. from OK)
Cattle legs =
confused in
overlapping
FIP trends in burials:
• Theban art style emerging: making do with local artists.
- High raised relief
- Deep sunk relief
- Incised details
- Narrow shouldered figures (in general)
- Small of back is placed higher (than in Old Kingdom)
- Limbs tend to be more rounded
- Bodies display less-little musculature
- Eyes are large (+ cosmetic line) (= continues Dyn. 6 style).
- Nose tends to be broad
- Lips are often thicker and protruding
- Ears are more pronounced
- Male breast = more angular in profile (in relief)
- Female breast = also more angular in profile (in relief)
- Offerings (on offering tables) tend to be drawn in isolation
(i.e., not overlapping).
Dyn.11: Limestone offering table of
God’s Seal-bearer Neferpert
Main items: False door & offering slab
Funerary offering to Osiris & Anubis
Ox leg, cucumber, duck, loaves, 2 jars,
ox-head and water offering basin.
MK “Soul House” = offering tray with food items in courtyard (libation tray)
Various probable/possible functions:
• Ensuring a perpetual, suitable home for deceased & family: i.e., house model.
• Ensuring appropriate supply of sustenance: i.e., model food, etc., in courtyard
• Activation of sympathetic magic via actual libation offering over the offering tray.
F.I.P. Provincial Art varies widely from poor to high quality.
Main tomb focus: Tomb owners, banquet scene, names & titles
First Intermediate Period (Dyns.7-11): Religion.
Early FIP: Dyns.7-8 (2200-2150 BC).
Egyptian religion: major turning point!
COFFIN TEXTS emerge as private
corpus of funerary religious texts.
• Initially for provincial elite in FIP
• widespread in Middle Kingdom
• Magical & liturgical spells on wooden
coffins.
• Draw upon some spells from late OK
royal Pyramid Texts.
• Mostly introducing new concepts.
• Resurrecting family in afterlife,
including relatives, servants & friends.
Late OK-FIP trend: tombs = multiple
burials (ranked: family head = focus).
FIP-MK Coffin Texts:• Enables non-royal persons to
attain an afterlife for eternity
without depending on the king.
• Private coffins inscribed and
decorated (plain ornate)
• Adopt various spells formerly
restricted to royal Pyramid Texts
• CT Initially written on papyrus
(some surviving)
• Most survive from coffins CT
• Protecting deceased travelling to
the Underworld
• Non-royal persons could now
aspire to independent immortality
in Underworld & sky (equal to gods)
• Some copied PT; some new spells
• Some spells from unknown PT and
multiple pyramids (i.e., from papyri)
COFFIN TEXTS: First Intermediate Period to Middle Kingdom:
• Coffin Texts evolve directly from Pyramid Texts
a. Some CT spells taken directly from PT
b. Usurping royal spells to defeat death & afterlife dangers
c. Most spells are new, representing non-royal derivations (e.g., Apophis).
• Non-royal elite inscribing coffins with spells
a. Protecting deceased against perils in the netherworld
b. Enabling an afterlife emulating divine king’s afterlife.
c. Entering the cyclical solar course (sunrise sunset sunrise)
• Non-royal (elite) persons could now
a. Ascend to heavens to join deities (transformation spells; scarab beetle)
b. Become, e.g., fire, air, grain, a child, a crocodile, etc.
c. (Every) deceased person now identified with OSIRIS.
• Coffin Texts reveal other matters:
a. Worry about starving and thirsting in afterlife
b. Desire to be (re)-united with family members in afterlife
• Coffin Texts’ content as a corpus:
a. Less focused than the Pyramid Texts in overall theme
b. Diverse focus and viewpoints
c. Relying on magic; lacking humility; expressing grandiose aspirations
d. Osiris: Deceased Osiris, his helper, or his devoted son (Horus)
e. New concept of a judgement of the Deceased
COFFIN TEXTS: Book of the Two Ways (2 versions = earliest cosmography)
• Found on coffins of nomarchs & high officials in Hare nome (Middle Egypt)
• Related knowledge for dead to navigate successfully through Netherworld
• Texts directed to Dead, with guide map, assisting in orientation & travel.
(1) Begins at sunrise (eastern horizon) journeying through day
(2) Dangers: Circle of fire (“fiery court”) surrounding sun
Threatening guardians at gates
Obstacles such as walls of darkness & flame, Apophis
Labyrinth/maze of paths
(3) Objectives: Region of Rosetau at the boundary of the sky (holding Osiris)
(i.e., whoever gazes upon the deceased Osiris cannot die)
Field of Offerings/Reeds (paradise of plenty)
Plurality of skies
Middle Kingdom coffin: -Guide to Netherworld at base of coffin (2 Ways)
(early MK late MK decline) -Coffin Texts along lower part of coffin sides
-Frieze of objects along upper part of coffin sides
EXAMPLE ONLY (= Not Montuhotep II)
Dyns.11-12:
Deir el-Bahari Mortuary temple and tomb of King Montuhotep II
New canopic jar style has human heads
1. Qebehsenuef = (Falcon) = intestines *Eating guts
2. Duamutef = (Jackal) = stomach *Greedy jackal
3. Hapi = (Baboon) = lungs *bellowing baboon
4. Amset (Imsety) = (early MK = Liver *imbibe alcohol
goddess)
“The Four sons of Horus”
First Intermediate Period:
Ka /spirit statuette for tomb:Limestone statue of the Steward Mery (57 cm high)
• Facial features characteristic of F.I.P. Thebes
1. Full lips
2. Large eyes
3. Cosmetic line of eye broadens at end
4. Flat eyebrows
FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD
Life-size stone ka-statues
are very rare
Small stone/other ka-statuettes
are a bit more common
First Intermediate Period: Assiut.
Wooden statuette of Wepwawet-em-hat
• Large wooden ka-statuette of official
Characteristics of FIP sculpture:
• Staring eyes
• Sharply edged planes of face
• Very long fingers
Magical(?):
- Wooden statuette of the tomb-owner,
to house ka-spirit, often having an
identifying name & titles on the base
of each statuette (carved/painted).
- i.e., a cheaper, smaller variant of the
larger, life-size ka-statuettes found in
wealthy/elite Old Kingdom serdab
chambers. Ensuring spirit’s survival.
Dyn.11
Tomb of Merer
At Asyut
Precursor of shabtis
with coffin text
spells on the kilts
Magical(?):
- Wooden statuettes
of the tomb-owner,
to house ka-spirit,
with the identifying
name & titles on
the base of the
statuettes.
- Key Coffin Text
spells placed on
the kilt enable the
deceased’s rebirth
& survival in the
afterlife.
Late Old Kingdom – First Intermediate Period: Dyns.6-8 & 9-11.• Many amulet types appear at this time
• Amulets subsequently become a crucial component in later (elite) burials
• Amulets frequently of metal (esp. gold), faience or carnelian
• Note: amulets first appear in provincial cemetery (accidental preservation?)
Numerous examples from many tombs in Qau-Mostagedda region.
Amulets:
• Known in life & death.
• Usually protective devices.
• Other functions: rebirth, healing,
preservation, etc.
Dyn.11: Tomb of Wah (Thebes).
Jewelry:
• Known in
life & death.
• Status indicators
and other symbolism …
Button seal evolves into scarab-beetle style seal
FIP seals: identity, status, & amuletic functions.
MK “Soul House” = offering tray with food items in courtyard (libation tray)
Various probable/possible functions:
• Ensuring a perpetual, suitable home for deceased & family: i.e., house model.
• Ensuring appropriate supply of sustenance: i.e., model food, etc., in courtyard
• Activation of sympathetic magic via actual libation offering over the offering tray.
Dyn.11 Tomb of Meketre (Thebes):
- Model estate with garden
- Emphasizing desired elements for “Afterlife”
Deir el-Bersha: FIP-Dyn.12 tomb of Henu. Model of brick makers.Magical(?): Ensuring brick production for house & other construction in Afterlife.
Dyn.11: Tomb of Meketre (Thebes)
Papyrus fishing boats
FISHING: Nile River fish
Magical(?):
• Ensuring fishing & supply of fish
for ka-spirit during the “Afterlife.”
Redistribution of grain tax
to prov. & state granaries:
Surplus pays for
various state projects.
Dyn.11
Tomb of Meketre (Thebes)
Granary being filled
MAGICAL(?):
(a). Theoretically …
ensuring perpetual
storage & supply of grain
to make flour & hence bread
for food to sustain ka-spirit
OTHER(?):
Commemorating various
facets of tomb-owner’s life:
i.e., controlling a large estate
in which such installations
and activities existed.
GRAIN = major
medium of
pay/exchange:
Long-term
storage, or
conversion to
food & drink.
Dyn.11: Tomb
of Meketre
(Thebes)
beer & bread
bearer bringing
Pots & fowl
MAGICAL(?):
(a). Ensuring a
perpetual usage
of grain to make
flour, bread, and
beer to sustain
the ka-spirit
Royal Biennial cattle count
taxation wealth to state
Dyn.11:
Tomb of Meketre (Thebes)
Tally of cattle (“cattle count”)
Magical?: Enabling perpetual supply of cattle
& offspring for tomb owner’s ka-spirit to ensure
a supply of beef & cattle by-products in death.
F.I.P.: servant figurine.
- Wooden model of servant
(i.e., Dyn.1 retainer burials)
- Male cook fans fire to cook
a duck –servants for afterlife?
MAGICAL(?):
(a). Ensuring perpetual access
to a cook to prepare sufficient
food to sustain the ka-spirit of
The tomb owner and his family.
OTHER(?):
Simply a model commemorating
the tomb-owner’s status and
experiences in life as a wealthy
estate owner controlling a large
complex of retainers, lands, and
Industries and resources.
BOTH(?):
Magical & commemorative item
made specifically for the tomb.
Tax on finished products:
e.g., linen textiles/garments
Dyn.11:
- Tomb of Meketre (Thebes)
- Weaving workshop.
Magical(?):
• Ensuring ka-spirit a perpetual supply of
textiles & clothing in the Afterlife.
Dyn.11: Tomb of Meketre (Thebes) Woodworking shop
Magical(?):
• Ensuring production of furniture & other necessities in Afterlife.
Dyn.11: Tomb of Meketre (Thebes)
Egyptian troops
Magical(?):
• Ensuring adequate protection for deceased in Afterlife
• Providing ka-spirit statuettes for retainers’ afterlife.
Dyn.11: model of
Nubian archers.
Magical(?): Providing ka-spirit statuettes for Nubian archers’ afterlife & services.
Funerary “dolls” called
Paddle dolls
• “Concubines of the Dead”
• “Fertility figurines”
• “Dancers”
• other suggestions …
See E.F. Morris, 2011 JARCE v.47.
MAGICAL(?)/OTHER(?):
(a). Many items appear to be made
specifically for the tomb, or are used
in both life and burial/afterlife.
Functions(?):
- Specific tomb/death/afterlife assoc.
- Emphasis upon pubic triangle: i.e.,
procreation fertility offspring.
- Facial features not required: i.e.,
Minimized specific identity versus
maximized reproductive symbolism
Aspects characterizing First Intermediate Period: Dyns.7-11.
POLITICAL OVERVIEW:
(a). Early FIP (2278-2161 / 2200-2100 BC):
• Dyn. “7” remains elusive: i.e., Manetho’s “70 kings for 70 days” may = turmoil.
Not attested in the Turin and Abydos King Lists
• Dyn. 8 16+ known rulers, one of whom has a small pyramid (King Ibi/Aba)
The royal court appears quite impoverished vs. prov.
It continues lineage of the House of Teti (Memphis).
• Bolstering power: king forges marriage ties with various powerful provincial
officials;
• Decentralization: Provincial officials have their own provincial courts;
Ea. province exploits its own resources (diverse power)
Social elite living in provinces: i.e., prosperous prov.
Officials holding hereditary posts in administration;
Decorated elite tombs emerging on provinces (wealth)
Regional craftsmen & art (versus OK Memphite art)
More regionalism, diversity & individualism in art, etc.
• A major break: Occurs at the end of Dyn. 8, separating the early FIP
from the late FIP: i.e., end of nominal king of Egypt.
Aspects characterizing First Intermediate Period: Dyns.7-11.
POLITICAL OVERVIEW:
(b). Dyn. 8/9 transitional FIP (ca. 2161+/- or ca. 2100+/- BC):
• Egypt fractures into ‘provinces’ that quickly fight & become larger polities
• Rising tensions between the royal court at Memphis and provincial governors
• Provincial courts become increasingly independent (omit ref. to king, etc.)
• New emerging provincial ruling families (e.g., Ankhtifi) replacing earlier ones
• Provincial armies forming (formerly the O.K. ruler formed national armies)
• Provincial governors increasingly omitting mention of the king of Egypt;
• Provincial rulers increasingly noting acting on their own behalf: building; cults; +
• Provincial governors become the patron of local cults (formerly = the king);
• Provincial governors expanding control over neighbouring nomes (provinces):
E.g., Ankhtifi of Nome-3 (at Mo‘alla) seizes Nomes-2 & -1 (Aswan) in S. Egypt.
• Provincial governors adopting modified titles to reflect new status.
• Provincial governors legitimizing their position, power, expansion in texts
• Note: Not yet claiming “kingship,” but maintain independence from other gov.
Aspects characterizing First Intermediate Period: Dyns.7-11.
POLITICAL OVERVIEW:
(c). Late FIP (2161-2040 BC / 2100-2040 BC):
• Egypt is fractured into ‘provinces’ that quickly fight & become larger polities
E.g., Ankhtifi of Mo’alla may date to late Dyn.8, or early Dyn.9: controls 3 nomes
• Dyns. 9-10: Northern Nile Valley, Hierakleopolitan kingdom emerges first;
8+ kings, many called Kheti; E.g., Instruction of King Merikare.
• Dyn. early 11: Southern Nile Valley, Theban kingdom emerges later: more data.
E.g., Kings Montuhotep (I), Intef I, Intef II, Intef III, Montuhotep II.
• Warfare: Thebans & Hierakleopolitans fight often; also have peace & trade
Ca. 2040 BC Theban, Montuhotep II, defeats northern kingdom.
Tombs with weaponry: bows, arrows, daggers, axes, shields, etc.
Tombs portraying var. officials role in battle, siege warfare, etc.;
Tomb with cache of bodies of slain soldiers (Montuhotep II?);
Textual evidence for Nubian mercenaries serving in S. Egypt;
Models of Egyptian troops & Nubian archers;
Royal mortuary temple scene of warfare, siege, dying soldiers, +
Aspects characterizing First Intermediate Period: Dyns.7-11.
POLITICAL OVERVIEW:
(c). Rise of Dyn.11 Theban kingdom in late FIP (2161/2100 - 2040 BC):
• Theban rulers in early Dyn. 11: Montuhotep I, Intef I-III & Montuhotep II.
• Increasingly adopting the traditional (Old Kingdom) components of kingship:
(a). Some elite/royal regalia: i.e., sceptres, garments, headgear, etc.
(b). Horus name: i.e., serekh/palace façade name.
(c). Nsw-bity title and cartouche: i.e., King of Upper and Lower Egypt.
(d). Son of Re title & cartouche
• Building & embellishing shrines: i.e., Elephantine; Karnak Temple; etc.
• Initiating a new type of royal tomb: Saff-tomb (“row”).
(a). A large walled and rock-cut E-W courtyard, approx. 54 m x 300 m
(b). A frontal, eastern chapel which may have had a mud brick pyramid & stela
(c). A rock-cut, columned portico at the western end
(d). Central, western rock cut chapel, shaft, and burial chamber for king
(e). Adjacent rock-cut chapels & burial chambers for queens & princesses
(f). Adjacent rock-cut chapels & burial chambers for high officials
• Mixed periods of peace and warfare with northern Hierakleopolitan kingdom.
• Combined secular & religious offices: i.e., king and overseer of priesthoods.•
Aspects characterizing First Intermediate Period: Dyns.7-11.
GENERAL OVERVIEW:
Diverse aspects characterizing the F.I.P. (ca. 2,278 / 2,200 – 2,040 BC):
• The FIP is known from varying textual-pictorial records, including contemporary
texts (i.e., biographical stelae) & Middle Kingdom texts (e.g., Ipuwer; Neferty),
and the archaeological record (e.g., settlements, temples, and cemeteries).
• Drought & famine: FIP stelae mention this; MK texts hearken back to this;
Some archaeological evidence for decline in rain etc.
• Political instability: FIP reference to frontier problems & civil war (Merikare);
MK texts hearken back to Asiatic incursions & civil war;
• Brigandry/robbery: MK references to robbing pyramids & robbery in general
MK texts note Pyramid Texts being used by commoners;
• Social reversals: MK texts note nobility being impoverished, poor rich;
Archaeological record shows greater wealth amongst
lower-middle classes & higher quality items too.
• Population: Archaeology reveals growth in Nile Valley populations
and some reduction in delta settlements (move to cities);
• International trade: Texts & archaeology shows greatly reduced foreign trade
Aspects characterizing First Intermediate Period: Dyns.7-11.
OSIRIS CULT OVERVIEW:
The rise of Osiris Cult & its significance (ca. 2161/2100 - 2040 BC):
• Osiris: Becomes increasingly important in late Old Kingdom Pyramid Texts;
He plays increasing role in late OK elite mortuary texts FIP & MK.
• Osiris: Late FIP Osiris appears in private Coffin Texts (derived from Pyr. Texts);
Late FIP+ general population adopting Osiris in their mortuary cults,
Now gaining an Afterlife independent from king: ALL become an Osiris.
• Osiris: Initially vegetation deity; becomes deity of Underworld (Field of Reeds);
In Osiris myth he becomes a deity associated with resurrection/rebirth,
enabling his followers/adherents to be reborn in the Afterlife (= popular!).
• Osiris: Appears in Afterlife judgment Hall in which a successful verdict relies
upon moral fitness in life: i.e., righteous life; good deeds; accountability.
• Osiris: Ruler of the Field of Reeds: warm, fertile islands with plots for all persons
BUT, the ka-spirit is still maintained on earth via mortuary cult.
• Other: Many elite aspire to former Old Kingdom royal funerary beliefs: heavens;
Poor persons, & others, mostly aspire to dwell in Underworld (F. of Reeds)
• Abydos cult of Osiris focuses around Dyn.1 tomb of Djer assoc. with Osiris:
Real & symbolic pilgrimages: texts, depictions, models, Abydos cenotaphs
Aspects characterizing First Intermediate Period: Dyns.7-11.
TOMBS AND BURIAL PRACTICES OVERVIEW:
Tombs, fittings, and mortuary practices (ca. 2161/2100 - 2040 BC):
• FIP tombs & mortuary and other artifacts display distinct regional variation in
coffins, decoration, writing, fitting styles, arts and crafts, etc. throughout Egypt:
E.g., A distinct Theban style emerges (in art techniques used & forms portrayed)
• Northern royal tombs include a Dyn.8 pyramid (Ibi) & a Dyn.10 pyramid? (Khui);
Southern royal tombs include early Dyn.11 rock-cut “saff” (row) tombs (Thebes);
• Elite tombs include decorated rock-cut tombs and mastaba tombs, which retain
wooden coffins, ka statuettes, false door stelae, offering tables, & other fittings:
E.g., Tomb paintings/art vary in quality, displaying more individualism in themes,
decorative techniques, etc., ranging from poor to excellent relief & painting
• Poor graves yield more items & relatively greater wealth than before (in OK):
More Nile Valley graves in FIP, greater wealth in populace, rise in middle class.
• Innovations appearing in late Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period:
(a). Coffin Texts: OK Pyramid Texts & new spells used by commoners; Osiris.
(b). Cartonnage mummy mask now placed over head and upper torso (FIP);
(c). 4 canopic jars receive human-headed lids (formerly plain circular lids);
(d). Soul Houses combining a model house & offering tray with modeled food.
(e). Paddle dolls: function unknown –Fertility? Concubine? Ka-spirit? Other?
Aspects characterizing First Intermediate Period: Dyns.7-11.
COFFIN TEXTS’ OVERVIEW:
Democratization of religion/mortuary beliefs (ca. 2161/2100 - 2040 BC):
COFFIN TEXTS:
• Former late Old Kingdom royal Pyramid Texts used in non-royal coffins, etc.
• Introduction of many new spells in private coffins, etc. (regional diversity).
• Non-royal persons can have an Afterlife separate from the king: Field of Reeds.
• An emphasis is placed on reuniting family members in the Afterlife.
• Spells against various things reveal fears about starving, thirst, etc. in Afterlife.
• The FIP+ Coffin Text spells ensure rebirth, bypass hazards, provide protection &
sustenance, equate everyone with Osiris, guides to various Afterlife destinations
• Base of coffin often portrays a guide map to the Underworld: bypassing hazards
• Spells placed on lower coffin sides; frieze of items along top, incl. name & titles.
• Multiple Afterlife destinations:
(a). Field of Reeds/Offerings: Underworld governed by Osiris (judgment hall)
(b). Rosetau: Boundary of the sky, where Osiris dwells (ensuring eternal life)
(c). Circumpolar Stars: destination previously restricted to the king (& later qn).
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