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The Akhenaten Colossi of Karnak
Some of the most fascinating sculptures to have survived from ancient Egypt are the colossal statues of Akhenaten, erected at the beginning of his reign in his new temple to the Aten at Karnak. Fragments of more than thirty statues are now known, showing the paradoxical features combining male and female, young and aged, characteristic of representations of this king. Did he look like this in real life? Or was his iconography skillfully devised to mirror his concept of his role in the universe? The author presents the history of the discovery of the statue fragments from 1925 to the present day; the profusion of opinions on the appearance of the king and his alleged medical conditions; and the various suggestions for an interpretation of the perplexing evidence. A complete catalog of all major fragments is included, as well as many pictures not previously published.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Lise Manniche
24 books10 followersLise Manniche is Professor of Egyptology at the University of Copenhagen
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October 3, 2012
The Akhenaten colossi are undoubtedly the most unique and fascinating sculptures from Ancient Egypt. Over three thousand years after their creation, they still enthral and repel us. There is something incredibly strange – ethereal if not monstrous – about them.
In The Akhenaten Colossi of Karnak, Lise Manniche has produced a comprehensive study of these colossi. Having been slightly obsessed with them since I saw two at the Cairo Museum, I couldn't resist getting myself a copy.
The crowning glory of the book should be the catalogue of all known colossi, or fragments of the colossi. Set out in a logical, clear manner with as much detail as possible, it is very impressive. Furthermore, nearly all entries in the catalogue are represented by at least one photograph or sketch (I think there is only one – L59 – that has no visual representation).
So, this catalogue should be the crowning glory of the book. But it isn't, because it is followed by excellent analysis and discussion of the colossi, which really helps readers come to grips with the the colossi. I should point out that the text doesn't attempt to answer the great mysteries of the colossi (e.g. who do they represent, why is the physique so strange, why did Akhenaten choose to be depicted this way?)
In "Interpetation", Manniche explores the question of who the colossi represent and the possible theological reasoning behind it. A number of viewpoints are discussed, from linking the colossi with a fertility figure (such as Hapy), the question of whether the colossi represent the Aten or Akhenaten or perhaps Akhenaten united with the Aten, and the theory that they represent the triad of Amenhotep III, Akhenaten and Nefertiti in the guises of Atum, Shu and Tefnut.
The next chapter, "Aesthetics", deals with the actual physical appearance of the sculptures and the question of how, and by who, these colossi were meant to be viewed.
The final chapter explores the various medical diagnoses that have been given to Akhenaten on the basis of how Akhenaten is depicted in Amarna art. Manniche also draws in discussion of the KV55 mummy, but also points out the mummy may not even be Akhenaten's.
Manniche also explores the mutilation of the colossi, and appears to suggest that the colossi were carefully dismantled, rather than the deliberately mutilated, with only a small being attacked maliciously. This subsection may have represented Nefertiti.
The Akhenaten Colossi of Karnak is written from a fair, unbiased perspective, and I got the feeling that Manniche was more interested in presenting all these different, possible interpretations for readers to make their own choices from, rather offering a judgement on them and her view as the "truth". In this way, I felt I was given the chance to make my own conclusions, rather than being led by the nose to someone else's conclusion.
The Akhenaten Colossi of Karnak is a must-have for Akhenaten and Amarna aficionados and a truly excellent resource on some of the most iconic statutory Ancient Egypt ever produced.
In The Akhenaten Colossi of Karnak, Lise Manniche has produced a comprehensive study of these colossi. Having been slightly obsessed with them since I saw two at the Cairo Museum, I couldn't resist getting myself a copy.
The crowning glory of the book should be the catalogue of all known colossi, or fragments of the colossi. Set out in a logical, clear manner with as much detail as possible, it is very impressive. Furthermore, nearly all entries in the catalogue are represented by at least one photograph or sketch (I think there is only one – L59 – that has no visual representation).
So, this catalogue should be the crowning glory of the book. But it isn't, because it is followed by excellent analysis and discussion of the colossi, which really helps readers come to grips with the the colossi. I should point out that the text doesn't attempt to answer the great mysteries of the colossi (e.g. who do they represent, why is the physique so strange, why did Akhenaten choose to be depicted this way?)
In "Interpetation", Manniche explores the question of who the colossi represent and the possible theological reasoning behind it. A number of viewpoints are discussed, from linking the colossi with a fertility figure (such as Hapy), the question of whether the colossi represent the Aten or Akhenaten or perhaps Akhenaten united with the Aten, and the theory that they represent the triad of Amenhotep III, Akhenaten and Nefertiti in the guises of Atum, Shu and Tefnut.
The next chapter, "Aesthetics", deals with the actual physical appearance of the sculptures and the question of how, and by who, these colossi were meant to be viewed.
The final chapter explores the various medical diagnoses that have been given to Akhenaten on the basis of how Akhenaten is depicted in Amarna art. Manniche also draws in discussion of the KV55 mummy, but also points out the mummy may not even be Akhenaten's.
Manniche also explores the mutilation of the colossi, and appears to suggest that the colossi were carefully dismantled, rather than the deliberately mutilated, with only a small being attacked maliciously. This subsection may have represented Nefertiti.
The Akhenaten Colossi of Karnak is written from a fair, unbiased perspective, and I got the feeling that Manniche was more interested in presenting all these different, possible interpretations for readers to make their own choices from, rather offering a judgement on them and her view as the "truth". In this way, I felt I was given the chance to make my own conclusions, rather than being led by the nose to someone else's conclusion.
The Akhenaten Colossi of Karnak is a must-have for Akhenaten and Amarna aficionados and a truly excellent resource on some of the most iconic statutory Ancient Egypt ever produced.
Displaying 1 of 1 review