The smiting scene is a traditional symbol of kingship in ancient Kemet, which is datable back to the Predynastic period, and is symbolic of a victorious king. These scenes include the king raising a weapon over the head of an enemy (or a large groups of them), ready to smite them. Their hair is often grabbed from above to hold them in place for their execution. These representations grew to also include lists of the conquered enemies, and reached their peak in the New Kingdom, where the inclusion of an anthropomorphic deity became standard. These scenes reinforced the king’s control over chaos, symbolically representing the bringing of justice (maat) to the defeated, chaotic enemy. Below are the depictions and the enormous variation, beauty and workmanship we can find in Egyptian art in general.
The Menace of Wild Pigs
The smiting scene is a traditional symbol of kingship in ancient Kemet, which is datable back to the Predynastic period, and is symbolic of a victorious king. These scenes include the king raising a weapon over the head of an enemy (or a large groups of them as shown in the first photo), ready to smite them. Their hair is often grabbed from above to hold them in place for their execution. These representations grew to also include lists of the conquered enemies, and reached their peak in the New Kingdom, where the inclusion of an anthropomorphic deity became standard. These scenes reinforced the king’s control over chaos, symbolically representing the bringing of justice (maat) to the defeated, chaotic enemy.
Narmer’s Palette
The famous 'Narmer Palette' is commonly interpreted as the allegorical depiction of the unification of upper and lower Egypt. It was found by British archaeologists Quibell and Green in 1897 at the Temple of Horus at Nekhen. A King called Narmer is shown in full royal regalia, wearing the white crown of upper Egypt, a false beard and a bull's tail, as he is on the verge of killing an enemy. A clue to the identity of the victim is given in the picture on the right, where the Horus falcon is restraining a bound captive with papyrus plants growing out of his body. Papyrus is a symbol of lower Egypt. So Narmer, King of upper Egypt, defeated lower Egypt and, in doing so, unified the two lands.
King Den Ivory Label
This Ivory label depicting King Den of the first dynasty was found at his tomb in Abydos, and it was originally attached to a pair of his royal sandals. The Pharaohs loved their footwear. King Den can be identified by his Horus name in a serekh above the Asiatic tribesman that is being clubbed to death. Again we see the bull's tail, but we also see the uraeus cobra on the forehead of the King. On the right, we see the King's Anubis standard. The hieroglyphic inscription on the piece reads: 'The first occasion of smiting the East'.
King Amenemhat III Pectoral
This pectoral is made of gold and contains turquoise, carnelian and lapis lazuli. It once belonged to Mereret, the daughter of King Senwosret III and sister of King Amenemhat III. It was found in her Dahshur tomb, within the pyramid complex of Senwosret III. The unfortunate victims clubbed to death by King Amenemhat III in this scene happen to be the Asiatics. They can be identified by their weapons, a dagger and a throwing stick, and also by the hieroglyphs identifying the captives as 'nomadic Asiatics'. Overall the reign of Amenhemhat III is characterized by its peaceful relations with neighbouring states. This pectoral may therefore serve as a further indication that the imagery is not to be taken as a depiction of historical events but rather as a symbolic portrayal of the essence of Kingship.
Thutmose III
This image located on the south face of the Seventh Pylon at Karnak depicts King Tuthmosis II smiting his enemies. It was part of his massive building project at Karnak which documented many of his military successes. Here the king stands in profile with a mace above his head and his enemies grasped in his other hand. This image is slightly different from the others because instead of only one enemy, the king grasps many enemies in his hand. Each one is facing a different direction and has a small knife raised above their heads. Thutmose III at Karnak, presenting the Battle of Megiddo of the 15th century BCE. Here Thutmose III is shown to be smiting Canaanite enemies.
Sources
Hall, Emma Swan (1986). The Pharaoh smites his enemies: A comparative study. Deutscher Kunstverlag.
Early Dynastic Age, King Den. 1st Dynasty Approx. 3050 - 2890 (British Museum, London)
Middle Kingdom, King Amenemhat III. 12th Dynasty Approx. 1853-1806 (Egyptian Museum, Cairo)
Narmer Palette, circa 2850 B.C.E. Egyptian Museum, Cairo
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