Naga - Temple 200 - Wall Decoration

By Josefine Kuckertz

The excavations of the Naga project from 2004 to 2010 brought to light the small Naga 200 temple, which has been known since the early 19th century. The walls, which had collapsed in ancient times, were decorated with relief scenes. About 80-85% of the decor could be recovered from the remaining wall parts and approx. 1300 blocks and fragments. The temple was built by King Amanakhareqerema towards the end of the 1st century AD. Its floor plan follows the Egyptian model of a multi-room temple with two halls and a triple sanctuary area. With some components in the front area (kiosk and altars Naga 251, 260, 270), it is aligned almost at right angles to the processional route of the great temple of Amun Naga 100. The pylon decoration presents the triumphant king, to whom a god hands a sickle sword; the latter has not yet been documented in Meroitic temples. Worth mentioning are the gods Sebiumeker and Arensnuphis on the door posts and the gods on the outside of the pylon. The base zone shows withSema-Signs of bound prisoners and the cove a frieze of various Amu figures, Horus falcons and cartouches. On the long walls, the king, protected by a winged goddess, worships various groups of gods, mostly triads. These consist of divine pairs (including Apedemak / Amesemi, Amun / Mut) and a third figure, whose interpretation is difficult. Two options - divine child or deified king - are discussed. The chemmis scene of Isis breastfeeding her son and the king standing in front of an altar with piled offerings on the south wall are remarkable. Inside the temple, the king acts in priestly robes in front of pairs of gods. In a scene in room 201 he presents his heirs to Amun. A second narrow register above the main register has to be reconstructed in this space. In ArS 2 the content and meaning of the individual scenes are discussed, as well as the gods represented, the iconography of the king and deities and their attributes. Blocks reused in the building belong to different categories, including a colossal statue. Naga 200 is a sanctuary dedicated to Amun in its various forms, which also functioned as a temple for the cult of the king. One chapter deals with all known monuments of Amanakhareqerema. Claude Rilly discusses the various Meroitic inscriptions of Naga 200 (inscriptions, graffiti, etc.). Naga 200 is a sanctuary dedicated to Amun in its various forms, which also functioned as a temple for the cult of the king. One chapter deals with all known monuments of Amanakhareqerema. Claude Rilly discusses the various Meroitic inscriptions of Naga 200 (inscriptions, graffiti, etc.). Naga 200 is a sanctuary dedicated to Amun in its various forms, which also functioned as a temple for the cult of the king. One chapter deals with all known monuments of Amanakhareqerema. Claude Rilly discusses the various Meroitic inscriptions of Naga 200 (inscriptions, graffiti, etc.).

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3868352899
• ISBN13: 9783868352894
• Release Date: March 2022
• Publisher: Ugarit Verlag
• Length: 389 Pages
• Weight: 2.55 lbs.