The representation of animals in Pharaonic Egypt is unparalleled in the ancient world. They are at the heart of their linguistic system, accounting for over a quarter of all hieroglyphic signs. They appear in tomb scenes, on stela, on pottery, as models, as amulets, incorporated into jewellery, in books of the afterlife, they are mummified, both as gifts to the gods and as benefactors of cult. No other culture has represented animals with such multiplicity. This course will examine the meanings attached to these images and objects. The role of animals as pets, as a resource, and as emblems of royalty, luxury and the divine will be examined. As the Egyptians often depicted their gods in semi or fully zoomorphic form it is clear they were viewed as the partner not servant to man.

This ticket is for one lecture

Week 3 – Tuesday 1st Feb 7pm GMT

Monkeys

Links and articles will be sent out after each lecture.