Lecture on the Ancient Egyptian City and Cemetery of Abydos

Introduction

• Presenter: Dr. Rob Steffen
• Topic: Abydos, its significance in kingship and culture in ancient Egypt
• Context: Abydos vs. Ichtawi (undiscovered 12th Dynasty capital)

Abydos: Location and Significance

• Location: Upper Egypt, near Luxor and Karnak
• Hellenization of Names: Transformation of Egyptian names by Greeks
  • E.g., Abdu to Abydos, Men Nefer to Memphis, Ta'ope to Thebes

Historical Importance of Abydos

• Time Frame: Importance from pre-dynastic to pharaonic Egypt
• Um El Gabe: Predynastic and early dynastic tombs
  • Tomb U-J: Believed to be of the Scorpion King
  • Early evidence of writing found here
  • Burials of important kings like Narmer and Den

Connection to Osiris

• God Osiris: God of the underworld, associated with death and rebirth
  • Son of Geb (Earth) and Nut (Sky); siblings: Isis, Seth, Nephthys
  • Myth: Osiris's death, dismemberment by Seth, and rebirth by Isis
• Significance to Abydos: Close association due to burial grounds

Temples and Festivals

• Great Temple of Osiris: Oldest temple, dates to around 3000 BCE
  • Associated with annual festival and mysteries of Osiris
  • Festival involved two parts: public possession and secret rites
• Middle Kingdom Contributions: Expansions by rulers like Mentuhotep II and Senusret III
  • Significant contributions like colonnades, new foundations, and sacred walls

The Iker no Fred Stela

• Description: Limestone stela describing Osiris festival details
  • Five-day event: mock battle, transportation of statue, mourning, prayers, and rebirth

Temple of Seti I

• Period: New Kingdom, 13th century BCE
• Importance: Best preserved temple, larger than others at Abydos
  • Abydos King List: Important for reconstructing the history of pharaohs
• Structure: Includes pylons, hypostyle halls, and seven chapels
  • Special room dedicated to Osiris

Conclusion

• Summary: Abydos as a key site for understanding early pharaonic burials and religious practices dedicated to Osiris
• Significance: Its influence spans from physical burial places to cultural practices linked to kingship and religion