List of figures
Preface and acknowledgments Map of Egypt and Nubia Map of Luxor List of abbreviations
Introduction
The historical setting
The God’s Wife: historical development and associated titles The God’s Wife prior to the New Kingdom The God’s Wife during the New Kingdom The mythic conception i: Atum and the Heliopolitan CREATION myth
The mythic conception II: the king’s divine conception Egypt at the end of the New Kingdom Egypt during the Libyan period The Nubians in Egypt
The Libyan and Nubian God’s Wives of Amun
Egypt under Saite rule
Nitocris
Ankhnesneferibre: the last God’s Wife of Amun
Amun, Mut, and the “throne names” of the God’s Wives
2 Rites and rituals
Entertaining the gods Playing music: shaking the sistrum The sisTRUM, the menat-necklace and objects sacred to Hathor
Provisioning the gods: offerings to the gods Wine Food
Cool water/incense
“A boon which the king gives”
Maat
Building houses for the gods/dedicating shrines Partnering with the king 1: Symmetrically opposed scenes In providing for the gods Rewarded by the gods
Partnering with the king 2: “For god, king, and country” Protecting the gods Rites of protection at the cenotaph “Burning fans”
“Rites at Kom Djeme” rejuvenating the gods The elevation of the tjest-support Rites of divine re-entrance Other rites of “royal and divine” dominion “Driving four calves”
“Striking chests” or the presentation of meret-chests Celebrating the sed festival
3
Assumption of the priesthood 116
The gradual appropriation of priestly duties 116
The God’s Wife and initiation rites 120
Divin marriage iconography 134
Adoption, succession to office, and age at appointment 142
Sexuality, celibacy and the sexual role of the God’s Wife 146
Epilogue
The end of the God’s Wife as an institution The legacy of the God’s Wives of Amun
Notes
Bibliography
Index
World History
