Overview
The Crown of Arsinoë II is a detailed study of a unique crown that was created for the Ptolemaic Egyptian Queen Arsinoë II which has important conclusions for ancient Egyptian history. Images of Arsinoë are represented in a broad spectrum of iconographic media, depicting this historical figure in a Greek as well as Egyptian cultural setting, and as queen and goddess alike, though her tomb has never been found. Based on detailed examination of reliefs, the aim is to identify and understand the symbolism that is embedded in each pictorial detail that together form the crown, as well as all contextual aspects of the relief scenes, and how this reflects the wearer's socio-political and religious positions. The results of this study suggest that the crown of Arsinoë was created for the living queen and reflected three main cultural positions: her royal position as King of Lower Egypt, her cultic role as high priestess, and her religious aspect as thea Philadelphos . It indicates that she was proclaimed female pharaoh during her lifetime and should be included in the official pharaonic king list as Ptolemy II's co-regent: her royal authority should be considered equivalent to Hatshepsut, Tawosret and Amenirdis II, as one of the most important royal women in Egyptian history. Arsinoë's complex persona were embedded in a very unique attribute her crown and that this remained a symbol of authority throughout the last centuries of the ancient Egyptian period.
Full Product Details
Author: Maria Nilsson
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Imprint: Oxbow Books
Dimensions:
Width: 21.10cm
, Height: 1.80cm
, Length: 27.70cm
Weight: 1.066kg
ISBN: 9781842174920
ISBN 10: 1842174924
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 30 August 2012
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
...the author argues that Arsinoe II should be included in the official pharaonic king list as Ptolemy II's co-regent, and that her royal authority, as powerful as that of Hatshepsut, Tausret and Amenirdis II, makes her one of the most important women in Egyptian history. -- Sarah Griffiths Ancient Egypt Magazine Vol. 14 No. 2, Issue 80 - October/November 2013
...the author argues that Arsinoë II should be included in the official pharaonic king list as Ptolemy II's co-regent, and that her royal authority, as powerful as that of Hatshepsut, Tausret and Amenirdis II, makes her one of the most important women in Egyptian history. * Ancient Egypt Magazine *
