The Festivals of Opet, the Valley, and the New Year : Their Socio-Religious Functions

The Festivals of Opet, the Valley, and the New Year: Their socio-religious functions compares the religious and social functions of these three Festivals, the first two of which were often regarded by the Egyptians as a pair; the New Year Festival stands out on account of its corpus of surviving material and importance. Until now, detailed study of the New Year Festival has only been carried out with reference to the Greco-Roman period; this study turns its attention to the New Kingdom. The book analyses the broad perspectives that encompass Egyptian religion and cult practices which provided the context not only for worship and prayer, but also for the formation of social identity and responsibility. The festivals are examined in the whole together with their settings in the religious and urban landscapes. The best example is New Kingdom Thebes where large temples and burial sites survive intact today with processional routes connecting some of them. Also presented are the abundant written sources providing deep insight into those feasts celebrated for Amun-Re, the king of the gods. The volume also includes a list of dated records which provides a concordance for the Egyptian calendars. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1. Introduction 1.2. Overview of Egyptian calendrical systems and festivals 1.3. Theban religiosity Chapter 2: Opet Festival 2.1. Research history 2.2. Chronological study 2.3. Designation of the Opet Festival 2.4. Sequence of the Opet Festival 2.5. Events associated with the Opet Festival Chapter 3: Valley Festival 3.1. Research history 3.2. Chronological study 3.3. Designation of the Valley Festival 3.4. Sequence of the Valley Festival at the temple 3.5. Valley Festival as a popular celebration 3.6. Sequence of the Valley Festival at the private tomb 3.7. Excursus: appointment of the divine wife Isis, a daughter of Ramses VI Chapter 4: New Year Festival 4.1. Research history 4.2. Chronological study 4.3. Ceremonies of the New Year Festival 4.4. Other official ceremonies 4.5. Representations in the private tomb at the Theban West 4.6. Economic functions of the New Year Festival Chapter 5: Conclusions Appendices: Appendix 1 List of dated religious events Appendix 2 Tables and text List of references Cover Title Page Copyright page Dedication Contents Page Acknowledgements List of Figures Abbreviations Acknowledgements List of Figures, Tables and Text Abbreviations 1.1. Introduction 1.1.1. Aim 1.1.2. Research background 1.1.3. Selection of the festivals to be examined in this study 1.1.4. Material evidence and methodological approaches Introduction Introduction 1.1. Introduction 1.1.1. Aim 1.1.2. Research background 1.1.3. Selection of the festivals to be examined in this study 1.1.4. Material evidence and methodological approaches 1.2. Overview of Egyptian calendrical systems and festivals 1.2.1. Monthly festivals 1.2.2. Annual festivals 1.2.3. Designation and structure of festivals 1.2.4. Synchronicity of the civil calendar with the seasonal cycle in the New Kingdom 1.3. Theban religiosity 1.3.1. Visits to Thebes of the king, vizier, and high officials 1.3.2. Historical development of the religious city Thebes 1.3.3. Orientations of reliefs depicting the Festivals of Opet and the Valley at Karnak Figure 1. Locations of festival reliefs and graffiti within the Karnak temple. Figure 2. Elevation of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak. 1.2. Overview of Egyptian calendrical systems and festivals 1.2.1. Monthly festivals 1.2.2. Annual festivals 1.2.3. Designation and structure of festivals 1.2.4. Synchronicity of the civil calendar with the seasonal cycle in the New Kingdom 1.3. Theban religiosity 1.3.1. Visits to Thebes of the king, vizier, and high officials 1.3.1.1. King and prince 1.3.1.2. Vizier and royal butler 1.3.2. Historical development of the religious city Thebes 1.3.3. Orientations of reliefs depicting the Festivals of Opet and the Valley at Karnak Figure 1. Locations of festival reliefs and graffiti within the Karnak temple. Figure 2. Elevation of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak. Chapter 2 2.1. Research history 2.2. Chronological study 2.2.1. Early attestations and precursors 2.2.2. Date and duration (Table 9) 2.2.3. Later attestations Opet Festival 2.3. Designation of the Opet Festival 2.4. Sequence of the Opet Festival 2.4.1. Overview of the Colonnade Hall at Luxor temple 2.4.2. Eve 2.4.3. Emergence of the king from the palace 2.4.4. Rituals at Karnak 2.4.5. Departure from/arriving at Karnak 2.4.6. River procession 2.4.7. Arrival at/departure from Luxor 2.4.8. Rituals at Luxor 2.4.9. Rituals of the divine ka 2.4.10. Debate on the hierogamy and Hathoric celebrations 2.4.11. Rituals back at Karnak 2.4.12. Return to the palace of the king 2.5. Events associated with the Opet Festival 2.5.1. Oracular session 2.5.3. Appointment of priests and officials 2.5.4. Bull at the Opet Festival Opet Festival 2.1. Research history 2.2. Chronological study 2.2.1. Early attestations and precursors 2.2.2. Date and duration (Table 9) 2.2.3. Later attestations 2.3. Designation of the Opet Festival 2.4. Sequence of the Opet Festival 2.4.1. Overview of the Colonnade Hall at Luxor temple 2.4.2. Eve 2.4.3. Emergence of the king from the palace 2.4.4. Rituals at Karnak 2.4.5. Departure from/arriving at Karnak 2.4.6. River procession Figure 3. Elevation of the court of Herihor, Khonsu temple at Karnak. 2.4.7. Arrival at/departure from Luxor 2.4.8. Rituals at Luxor Figure 4. Locations of references to and representations of festivals at the Luxor temple. (based on Naville 1985, vol. 5, pls 123–6; Karkowski 1976, fig. 2; idem 2001, 132).* *Several fragments have been found for the upper register to occupy only 10 % of it: an unidentified episode (Karkowski 1990, fig. 7); Amun’s barque procession with royal statues (Kwaśnica 2001, 86, fig. 2); Amun’s barque resting at Luxor (ibid., fig. 3 r 2.4.9. Rituals of the divine ka 2.4.10. Debate on the hierogamy and Hathoric celebrations 2.4.11. Rituals back at Karnak 2.4.12. Return to the palace of the king Figure 5. Procession of bulls moving towards the Luxor temple at the Opet Festival, represented on the western wall of Ramses II’s forecourt at Luxor. (This photograph shows the sixth bull, on whose buttocks are carved the two signs the ‘Festival of Opet’ Figure 6. Elevation of the southern wing of the eastern wall, upper terrace, Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahari 2.5. Events associated with the Opet Festival 2.5.1. Oracular session 2.5.3. Appointment of priests and officials 2.5.4. Bull at the Opet Festival Figure 3. Elevation of the court of Herihor, Khonsu temple at Karnak. Figure 4. Locations of references to and representations of festivals at the Luxor temple. (based on Naville 1985, vol. 5, pls 123–6; Karkowski 1976, fig. 2; idem 2001, 132).* *Several fragments have been found for the upper register to occupy only 10 % of it: an unidentified episode (Karkowski 1990, fig. 7); Amun’s barque procession with royal statues (Kwaśnica 2001, 86, fig. 2); Amun’s barque resting at Luxor (ibid., fig. 3 r Figure 5. Procession of bulls moving towards the Luxor temple at the Opet Festival, represented on the western wall of Ramses II’s forecourt at Luxor. (This photograph shows the sixth bull, on whose buttocks are carved the two signs the ‘Festival of Opet’ Figure 6. Elevation of the southern wing of the eastern wall, upper terrace, Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahari Chapter 3 3.2. Chronological study 3.2.1. Early attestations and precursors 3.2.2. Later attestations 3.2.3. Date and duration Valley Festival 3.3. Designation of the Valley Festival 3.4. Sequence of the Valley Festival at the temple 3.4.1. Rituals at and departure from Karnak 3.4.2. River procession to the West Bank 3.4.3. Tour on the West Bank 3.4.4. Rituals at Deir el-Bahari 3.4.5. Return journey and rituals back at Karnak 3.5. Valley Festival as a popular celebration 3.5.1. Methodological problems in examining the private tomb 3.5.2. Examination of tomb scenes 3.5.2.1. Case 1. Tomb of Tjanuny (TT 74) 3.5.2.2. Case 2. Tomb of Userhat (TT 56) 3.5.2.3. Case 3. Tomb of Amenemheb (TT 85) 3.5.2.4. Case 4. Tomb of Menna (TT 69) 3.6. Sequence of the Valley Festival at the private tomb 3.6.1. The deceased coming in and out of the tomb, and hymn to Re 3.6.2. Participation in Amun’s procession 3.6.3. Changing cloth 3.6.4. Banqueting at the private tomb 3.6.5. Distribution of Amun’s offerings from temples: bouquets, sistra, and menits 3.7. Excursus: appointment of the divine wife Isis, a daughter of Ramses VI Valley Festival 3.1. Research history 3.2. Chronological study 3.2.1. Early attestations and precursors 3.2.2. Later attestations 3.2.3. Date and duration Figure 7. Close views of the passages referring to day 1 (a) and day 2 (b) of the Valley Feast, recorded in the Medinet Habu calendar. a. Day 1 of the Valley Festival (facsimile from MH III, pl. 142, list 2, by courtesy of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, and photograph taken by the author). a: There seems to be no space large enough for between and to form psDntyw, a rendition widely accepted by scholars. b. Day 2 of the Valley Festival (facsimile from MH III, pl. 142, list 4, 165-6, by courtesy of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, and photograph taken by the author). b: The date reads: Abd 2-nw Smw ra nb xpr.w ‘II Shemu, any day that appears’. 3.3. Designation of the Valley Festival 3.4. Sequence of the Valley Festival at the temple Sequence of the Valley Festival. Figure 8. Elevation of the northern wall of the upper terrace depicting the Valley Festival at Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahari.* These scenes are partially published by Karkowski (1992, 160–2, figs 3–5) and Kwaśnica (2001, 91, fig. 3, left). 3.4.1. Rituals at and departure from Karnak 3.4.2. River procession to the West Bank 3.4.3. Tour on the West Bank Figure 9. Royal figures in the Valley Festival scenes at Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahari (photographs taken by the author). a. Six royal statues portrayed in Episode 4. Four kings, the first of which has been hacked out, and two queens are portrayed above priests, all leading the barque procession of Amun. The first of the two queens is Ahmes, wife of Thutmose I, and the secon and two statues of Thutmose I and Thutmose II b. A statue of an unidentified king in the upper register c. A statue of ‘Thutmose’ represented behind in the lower register, in Episode 5. the cabin of Amun’s portable barque in Episode 5. 3.4.4. Rituals at Deir el-Bahari Figure 10. Episode 8 and the column texts in the Valley Festival scenes at Deir el-Bahari (PM II2, (83, II)). 3.4.5. Return journey and rituals back at Karnak 3.5. Valley Festival as a popular celebration 3.5.1. Methodological problems in examining the private tomb 3.5.2. Examination of tomb scenes Figure 11. Tomb of Tjanuny (TT 74). Figure 12. Tomb of Userhat (TT 56). Figure 13. Tomb of Amenemheb (TT 85). Figure 14. Tomb of Menna (TT 69). (v=Valley Feast, n=New Year Feast, h=Harvest Feast, i=inspection, f=foreigners, *=Type B integrated into one of its following registers). Figure 15. Schematic sequence of Type A and B scenes in the private tomb Figure 15 A. Northeast wall of the tomb of Ramose (TT 55 (8–10)), after Davies 1941, pls 13–21. Figure 16. Valley Festival represented in the tomb of Amenmes (TT 19 (3–4, I)), after Foucart 1928, pls 6–8, 13–4, and 16. 3.6. Sequence of the Valley Festival at the private tomb 3.6.1. The deceased coming in and out of the tomb, and hymn to Re 3.6.2. Participation in Amun’s procession 3.6.3. Changing cloth 3.6.4. Banqueting at the private tomb 3.6.5. Distribution of Amun’s offerings from temples: bouquets, sistra, and menits 3.7. Excursus: appointment of the divine wife Isis, a daughter of Ramses VI Above: Griffith Institute photograph no. 2016, by courtesy of the Griffith Institute, Oxford. Figure 17. Stela in the tomb of Ramose (TT 7 (9)). Right: Some details drawn by Gardner Wilkinson in the mid Nineteenth century (from his notebook numbered MSS. Wilkinson dep. e. 59), by courtesy of the Bodleian Library, Oxford. The top register represents Ramses II offering incense to the Theban triad in the western moutain, the ridge line of which extends from the king’s feet over the double plumes of Amun-Re (note that Amun-Re here is not one of those worshipped on the West Ba a. Day 1 of the Valley Festival (facsimile from MH III, pl. 142, list 2, 135–6, by courtesy of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, and photograph taken by the author). b. Day 2 of the Valley Festival (facsimile from MH III, pl. 142, list 4, 165-6, 135–6, by courtesy of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, and photograph taken by the author). Figure 8. Elevation of the northern wall of the upper terrace depicting the Valley Festival at Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahari.* These scenes are partially published by Karkowski (1992, 160–2, figs 3–5) and Kwaśnica (2001, 91, fig. 3, left). Figure 10. Episode 8 and the column texts in the Valley Festival scenes at Deir el-Bahari (PM II2, (83, II)). Figure 11. Tomb of Tjanuny (TT 74). Figure 12. Tomb of Userhat (TT 56). Figure 13. Tomb of Amenemheb (TT 85). Figure 14. Tomb of Menna (TT 69). Figure 15. Schematic sequence of Type A and B scenes in the private tomb Figure 15 A. Northeast wall of the tomb of Ramose (TT 55 (8–10)), after Davies 1941, pls 13–21. Figure 16. Valley Festival represented in the tomb of Amenmes (TT 19 (3–4, I)), after Foucart 1928, pls 6–8, 13–4, and 16. Figure 17. Stela in the tomb of Ramose (TT 7 (9)). Chapter 4 4.1. Research history 4.2. Chronological study 4.2.1. Designations, precursors, and historical development 4.2.1.1. pr.t-spd.t, wpy-rnp.t, tpy-rnp.t, and msw.t-Ra: calendrical designations 4.2.1.3. HA.t rnp.t and ihhy: beginning of the ideological regnal year 4.2.1.4. HA.t nHH 4.2.1.5. sp tpy: the New Year as an epitome of recurring occasions 4.2.1.6. Others 4.2.2. Date and duration of the New Year Festival in the New Kingdom 4.2.3. Association of the New Year Festival with other celebrations: perception as a set? 4.2.3.1. Wag Festival 4.2.3.2. Thoth Festival (DHwty.t) 4.2.3.3. Festival of txy 4.2.3.4. Brief summary New Year Festival 4.3. Ceremonies of the New Year Festival 4.3.1. Renewal of the world: the rituals of fresh water, cloth, and candle 4.3.2. Dedication of the building and statue, and awakening of the god 4.3.3. Renewal of the reign: Hatshepsut’s obelisks at Karnak and the Sed Festival 4.3.4 Consecration of the New Year gift: examination of Thutmose III’s reliefs at Karnak 4.3.5. Locations of the New Year celebrations 4.3.5.1. Temple ceremony on the East Bank (Figure 18) 4.3.5.2. Royal ceremony on the West Bank 4.4. Other official ceremonies 4.4.1. Visits to Thebes of officials at the New Year 4.4.2. Oracle and the appointment of the high-priest of Amun 4.5. Representations in the private tomb at the Theban West 4.5.1. Evening meal 4.5.2. Candle and the New Year formula 4.5.3. Opening-of-the-Mouth ritual 4.5.4. Burning the snTr-incense 4.5.5. Adorning with cloth and amulet, and archaeological evidence .5.6. Ointment jar 4.5.7. Eye-paint msdm.t 4.5.8. Fresh water mw rnpi 4.5.9. Offering list and the Htp-di-nsw.t formula 4.5.10. Hymn to Re-Horakhety 4.5.11. Bouquet of Amun-Re and Re-Horakhety 4.5.12. Royal appearance (xa.t-nsw.t) and the New Year gift 4.6. Economic functions of the New Year Festival 4.6.1. Sequence of the annual revenue collection 4.6.2. Cattle 4.6.3. Cloth New Year Festival 4.1. Research history 4.2. Chronological study 4.2.1. Designations, precursors, and historical development 4.2.2. Date and duration of the New Year Festival in the New Kingdom 4.2.3. Association of the New Year Festival with other celebrations: perception as a set? 4.3. Ceremonies of the New Year Festival 4.3.1. Renewal of the world: the rituals of fresh water, cloth, and candle 4.3.2. Dedication of the building and statue, and awakening of the god 4.3.3. Renewal of the reign: Hatshepsut’s obelisks at Karnak and the Sed Festival 4.3.4 Consecration of the New Year gift: examination of Thutmose III’s reliefs at Karnak 4.3.5. Locations of the New Year celebrations Figure 18. Locations of the New Year texts and scenes, and of treasuries. Figure 19. New Year quarters at the Karnak temple. (photograph taken by the author). Figure 20a. Stairway leading from the pillared hall to the solar courtat the Akh-menu, viewed from south Figure 20b. Stairway to the solar court and Corridor XL at the Akh-menu, viewed from west. The corridor continues to another group through a door behind the palm tree (photograph taken by the author). (photograph taken by the author). (photograph taken by the author). Figure 21 a. Corridor XL and the opening to another stairway at the Akh-menu, viewed from south Figure 21b. Stairway leading from Corridor XL perhaps directly to the roof of the Akh-menu, viewed from west (Episodes 1 and 2, Corridor XL at the Akh-menu). Photograph taken by the author. Figure 22a. Elevation of the north wall of Corridor XL at the Akh-menu (PM II2, 123 (432)), drawn by the author. Figure 22b. Text on the north wall of Corridor XL at the Akh-menu. Figure 22c. Thutmose III performing rituals to the ithyphallic Amun-Re. The god is not yet in full investiture Figure 22d. Priests carrying a vase and a candle taper (part of Episode 3, Corridor XL at the Akh-menu). Figure 22e. Thutmose III dedicating offerings to Amun-Re. Between them are represented a priest holding two tapers in front of two candle chests and two figures of Hapi below (Episode 4, Corridor XL at the Akh-menu). Photograph taken by the author. Photograph taken by the author. Figure 22f. Priest holding two tapers in front of two candle chests towards Amun-Re, who wears the double-plume headdress (part of Episode 4, Corridor XL at the Akh-menu). Photograph taken by the author. Figure 23. Scene of HA.t-rnp.t depicted on the west wall of Room XXXVII at the Akh-menu (after Pécoil 2000, pls 115–7). To the right, a seated god receives offerings from Thutmose III, behind whom is a broken text including ‘[jubilation] for the front of the year’. (photograph taken by the author). Figure 24. Present state of Room XV at Karnak, viewed from west 4.4. Other official ceremonies 4.4.1. Visits to Thebes of officials at the New Year 4.4.2. Oracle and the appointment of the high-priest of Amun 4.5. Representations in the private tomb at the Theban West 4.5.1. Evening meal 4.5.2. Candle and the New Year formula 4.5.3. Opening-of-the-Mouth ritual 4.5.4. Burning the snTr-incense 4.5.5. Adorning with cloth and amulet, and archaeological evidence 4.5.6. Ointment jar 4.5.7. Eye-paint msdm.t 4.5.8. Fresh water mw rnpi 4.5.9. Offering list and the Htp-di-nsw.t formula 4.5.10. Hymn to Re-Horakhety 4.5.11. Bouquet of Amun-Re and Re-Horakhety 4.5.12. Royal appearance (xa.t-nsw.t) and the New Year gift Not a few private tombs contain a portrayal of the king, who is often accompanied by a goddess. Such scenes are usually located beside the entrance to the inner-room. Being labelled the xa.t-nsw.t in some cases, the scenes are associated with various occa 4.6. Economic functions of the New Year Festival 4.6.1. Sequence of the annual revenue collection 4.6.2. Cattle 4.6.3. Cloth (photograph taken by the author). (photograph taken by the author). Figure 25a. Distant view of Thutmose IV’s peristyle hall, east wing, now at the Open-Air Museum, Karnak Figure 25b. Beasts dedicated to Amun-Re, east wing of Thutmose IV’s peristyle hall Figure 25c. King dedicating paraphernalia and royal statues to Amun-Re, west wing of Thutmose IV’s peristyle hall. The stern of Amun’s barge is visible below left (photograph taken by the author). (photograph taken by the author). Figure 25d. Vessels dedicated to Amun-Re, west wing of Thutmose IV’s peristyle hall, continued from Figure 25c (after Naville 1895, vol. 3, pl. 63). Figure 26. Hatshepsut’s ‘coronation text’ at her Deir el-Bahari temple (PM II2, 45 (155, III, 2–3); after Nelson 1981, pls 211–2). Figure 27. New Year formula carved on the west wall of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, by courtesy of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago. Figure 28. Northwest and north walls of the tomb of Imiseba (TT 65 (8–9)). Imiseba offers before the Theban triad. Behind him are elaborate representations of individuals, who carry Amun’s sacred vase in the uppermost register, which continues onto the north wall depicting offering bringers. Below the vase, priests, who belong t Davies MSS. 10.10.9 by courtesy of the Griffith Institute, University of Oxford. Figure 29. Kindling candles, accompanied by the New Year formula, in the tomb of Tjay (TT 23 (8, II)). Figure 30. New Year scene in the tomb of Amenhotep (TT 415 (1, II), according to Loret’s (1889, 30–1) description. Figure 31. North wall of the tomb of Qen (TT 4 (5)), by courtesy of the Griffith Institute, University of Oxford. The upper register portrays Qen’s family adoring Ptah and Maat, a representation parallel to that of TT 2 (10, II) which depicts the Festival of the Two Goddesses on I Peret 22. To the left of the lower register, Qen and his wife Nefertere receive ointmen Figure 32. Tomb of Menkheperreseneb (TT 112 (6)), after Davies 1933b, pls 28–9. Figure 33a. Tomb of Amenemhat (TT 82 (5)), after Davies and Gardiner 1915, pls 4–6, and Engelmann-von Carnap 1999, pl. 3, by courtesy of the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Kairo. In front of the female singers in the second register, a passage includes the ‘New Year Festival’. The five men carrying an eye-paint vessel and a torch represent those days. The lowest horizontal text begins with a mention of the five epagomenal days. Figure 33b. Tomb of Amenemhat (TT 82 (17)), after Davies and Gardiner 1915, pls 21–3, and Engelmann-von Carnap 1999, pl. 5, by courtesy of the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Kairo. In the third register, men carrying a torch and an ointment vessel represent the epagomenal days, New Year, Nehebkau, and every day respectively. Figure 34. Sequence of the New Year scenes in the tomb of Amenhotep (TT 73 (1–3)). Figure 35. Scenes of annual taxation and the New Year in the tomb of Mentuiyuy (TT 172 (8–10)). Figure 36. Tomb of Intefiqer (TT 60 (11)), after Davies and Gardiner 1920, pls 10 and 13–4. Figure 37a. West wall of the tomb of Paheri at el-Kab, left half (after Tylor and Griffith 1894, pls 3–5). The uppermost text describes Intefiqer as receiving the ‘salutation on the day of the New (Year) Festival’. Figure 37b. West wall of the tomb of Paheri at el-Kab, right half (after Tylor and Griffith 1894, pls 3–5). On the upper left corner, Paheri is portrayed seated and holding Wadjmes, a son of Thutmose I, on his lap. The morning of ‘Nehebkau’, ‘Ka-(her)-ka’, and the ‘New Year’ is respectively referred to in the captions in front of him and above each of the two registers representing offering bringers. Figure 18. Locations of the New Year texts and scenes, and of treasuries. Figure 19. New Year quarters at the Karnak temple. (photograph taken by the author). Figure 20a. Stairway leading from the pillared hall to the solar courtat the Akh-menu, viewed from south Figure 20b. Stairway to the solar court and Corridor XL at the Akh-menu, viewed from west. (photograph taken by the author). (photograph taken by the author). Figure 21 a. Corridor XL and the opening to another stairway at the Akh-menu, viewed from south Figure 21b. Stairway leading from Corridor XL perhaps directly to the roof of the Akh-menu, viewed from west (Episodes 1 and 2, Corridor XL at the Akh-menu). Photograph taken by the author. Figure 22a. Elevation of the north wall of Corridor XL at the Akh-menu (PM II2, 123 (432)), drawn by the author. Figure 22b. Text on the north wall of Corridor XL at the Akh-menu. Figure 22c. Thutmose III performing rituals to the ithyphallic Amun-Re. The god is not yet in full investiture Figure 22d. Priests carrying a vase and a candle taper (part of Episode 3, Corridor XL at the Akh-menu). Figure 22e. Thutmose III dedicating offerings to Amun-Re. Between them are represented a priest holding two tapers in front of two candle chests and two figures of Hapi below (Episode 4, Corridor XL at the Akh-menu). Photograph taken by the author. Photograph taken by the author. Figure 22f. Priest holding two tapers in front of two candle chests towards Amun-Re, who wears the double-plume headdress (part of Episode 4, Corridor XL at the Akh-menu). Photograph taken by the author. Figure 23. Scene of HA.t-rnp.t depicted on the west wall of Room XXXVII at the Akh-menu (after Pécoil 2000, pls 115–7). for the front of the year’. (photograph taken by the author). Figure 24. Present state of Room XV at Karnak, viewed from west (photograph taken by the author). (photograph taken by the author). Figure 25a. Distant view of Thutmose IV’s peristyle hall, east wing, now at the Open-Air Museum, Karnak Figure 25b. Beasts dedicated to Amun-Re, east wing of Thutmose IV’s peristyle hall Figure 25c. King dedicating paraphernalia and royal statues to Amun-Re, west wing of Thutmose IV’s peristyle hall. The stern of Amun’s barge is visible below left (photograph taken by the author). (photograph taken by the author). Figure 25d. Vessels dedicated to Amun-Re, west wing of Thutmose IV’s peristyle hall, continued from Figure 25c (after Naville 1895, vol. 3, pl. 63). Figure 26. Hatshepsut’s ‘coronation text’ at her Deir el-Bahari temple (PM II2, 45 (155, III, 2–3); after Nelson 1981, pls 211–2). Figure 27. New Year formula carved on the west wall of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak by courtesy of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago. Figure 28. Northwest and north walls of the tomb of Imiseba (TT 65 (8–9)). Imiseba offers before the Theban triad. Behind him are elaborate representations of individuals, who carry Amun’s sacred vase in the uppermost register, which continues onto the north wall depicting offering bringers. Below the vase, priests, who belong t Davies MSS. 10.10.9 by courtesy of the Griffith Institute, University of Oxford. Figure 29. Kindling candles, accompanied by the New Year formula, in the tomb of Tjay (TT 23 (8, II)). Figure 30. New Year scene in the tomb of Amenhotep (TT 415 (1, II), according to Loret’s (1889, 30–1) description. Figure 31. North wall of the tomb of Qen (TT 4 (5)), by courtesy of the Griffith Institute, University of Oxford. The upper register portrays Qen’s family adoring Ptah and Maat, a representation parallel to that of TT 2 (10, II) which depicts the Festival of the Two Goddesses on I Peret 22. To the left of the lower register, Qen and his wife Nefertere receive ointmen Figure 32. Tomb of Menkheperreseneb (TT 112 (6)), after Davies 1933b, pls 28–9. Figure 33a. Tomb of Amenemhat (TT 82 (5)), after Davies and Gardiner 1915, pls 4–6, and Engelmann-von Carnap 1999, pl. 3, by courtesy of the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Kairo. In front of the female singers in the second register, a passage includes the ‘New Year Festival’. The five men carrying an eye-paint vessel and a torch represent those days. Figure 33b. Tomb of Amenemhat (TT 82 (17)), after Davies and Gardiner 1915, pls 21–3, and Engelmann-von Carnap 1999, pl. 5, by courtesy of the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Kairo. Figure 34. Sequence of the New Year scenes in the tomb of Amenhotep (TT 73 (1–3)). Figure 35. Scenes of annual taxation and the New Year in the tomb of Mentuiyuy (TT 172 (8–10)). Figure 36. Tomb of Intefiqer (TT 60 (11)), after Davies and Gardiner 1920, pls 10 and 13–4. Figure 37a. West wall of the tomb of Paheri at el-Kab, left half (after Tylor and Griffith 1894, pls 3–5). The uppermost text describes Intefiqer as receiving the ‘salutation on the day of the New (Year) Festival’. Figure 37b. West wall of the tomb of Paheri at el-Kab, right half (after Tylor and Griffith 1894, pls 3–5). in front of him and above each of the two registers representing offering bringers. Chapter 5 Conclusions Appendices Conclusions Appendices Appendix 1 Appendix 1 List of dated religious events Appendix 2 List of dated religious events Table 1. Festivals involving evening and morning rituals. Table 2. Dates of the inundation of the Nile at Thebes Tables and text Appendix 2 Tables and text Table 1. Festivals involving evening and morning rituals. Table 2. Dates of the inundation of the Nile at Thebes. (E=East Bank, W=West Bank). Table 3. Estimated seasonal cycle at Thebes in 1300–1299 BC (corresponding to –1299–1298 astronomical). Table 4. Presence of the vizier Neferrenpet and the royal butler Sethherwenemyef at Thebes in year 6 of Ramses IV Table 5. Visits to Thebes of the royal butler Sethherwenemyef. Table 6. Visits to Thebes of the vizier Ta in the reign of Ramses III (unnamed vizier in brackets). Table 7. Visits to Thebes of viziers (v), the overseers of the treasury (t), and royal butlers (b).* Table 8. Dates of the Ssp-itrw, Mentu Feast, and xnp-Sa. Table 9. Dates of the Opet Festival during the New Kingdom and later. Table 10. Entries for the Opet Festival in the Medinet Habu calendar. Table 11. Dates of the Valley Festival: activities at western Thebes. Table 12. Dates of the Wag Festival falling in the Shemu season. Table 13. Dates of graffiti on the roof of the Khonsu temple, Karnak. Table 14. Dates of the wAH-mw performed at western Thebes. Table 15. Dates of graffiti at Thutmose III’s valley temple at Deir el-Bahari. Table 16. Offerings from various Theban temples.* Table 17. Attestations of bouquets of Amun and Amun-Re. (1/2) Table 17. Attestations of bouquets of Amun and Amun-Re. (2/2) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (1/9) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (2/9) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (3/9) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (4/9) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (5/9) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (6/9) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (7/9) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (8/9) Table 18. Locations of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (9/9) Table 19. Characteristics of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (1/3) Table 19. Characteristics of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (2/3) Table 19. Characteristics of private tomb scenes depicting the Festivals of the Valley and the New Year. (3/3) Table 20. Occurrence of private tomb festival scenes in two registers (Ramesside tombs underlined). Table 21. xa.t-nsw.t scenes in the Theban private tombs. (1/2) Table 21. xa.t-nsw.t scenes in the Theban private tombs. (2/2) Table 22. Dates of the ihhy. Table 23. Dates of HA.t nHH. Table 24. Duration of the New Year celebrations.* Table 25. Notable events during the reign of Thutmose III.* Table 26. The number of temple offerings and their quality value (yearly amount). (1/3) Table 26. The number of temple offerings and their quality value (yearly amount). (2/3) Table 26. The number of temple offerings and their quality value (yearly amount). (3/3) Text 1. New Year formula. (E=East Bank, W=West Bank). Table 3. Estimated seasonal cycle at Thebes in 1300–1299 BC (corresponding to –1299–1298 astronomical). Table 4. Presence of the vizier Neferrenpet and the royal butler Sethherwenemyef at Thebes in year 6 of Ramses IV Table 5. Visits to Thebes of the royal butler Sethherwenemyef. Table 6. Visits to Thebes of the vizier Ta in the reign of Ramses III (unnamed vizier in brackets). Table 7. Visits to Thebes of viziers (v), the overseers of the treasury (t), and royal butlers (b).* Table 8. Dates of the Ssp-itrw, Mentu Feast, and xnp-Sa. Table 9. Dates of the Opet Festival during the New Kingd