Stelae: The Multifunctional Ancient Egyptian Markers

Tucked away in the Vatican Museums, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum is an ancient treasure trove that transfers visitors back to the time of the pharaohs.

The Gregorian Egyptian Museum was founded in the 19th century as part of Pope Gregory XVI Cappellari's efforts to enrich the Vatican's cultural and scientific collections. It has nine rooms dedicated to showing the Egyptian influence on Rome.

In Room 1, there are hieroglyphic inscriptions on steles, the voices of ancient Egyptians echoing their beliefs, achievements, and daily life across the ages. Stelae were commissioned by both royal and non-royal patrons and fulfilled several functions. The steles in the room can be sorted into three categories: funerary, religious, and commemoration.

Funerary Stelae

Funerary stelae, in the words of the ancient Egyptians themselves, served to "render living the name" of the deceased.

False -door stele of Ipyhersesenebef, Saqqara, 2323-2150 B.C.E., Vatican Museum

The false-door stele was a link between the living and the afterlife, facilitating communication with the deceased. Only the dead, assuming the form of Ka (or life force), could pass through it to receive sacrificial offerings.

Fragment relief from a tomb, Memphis, 1550-1307 BCE, Vatican Museum

A finely depicted image of a typical "taking possession" of the offerings that guaranteed nourishment for the Ka.

Religious Stelae

Religious stelae were set up in or near temples or in homes, in exchange for healing or the fulfillment of wishes.

Stele dedicated to the god Ptah by Nakhtemmut, Deir-el-Medina, 20th Dynasty, 1196-1070 B.C., Vatican Museums

Stele dedicated to the god Khonsu, Thebes, Roman Period (1st B.C.-1st A.D. century), Vatican Museums

Commemorative Stelae

As regards commemorative stelae, that of Hatshepsut is important. When her husband died during the New Kingdom, Hatshepsut became regent in place of her very young stepson, Thutmose III, as she did not have any sons. She later assumed the title of Pharaoh and reigned for around twenty years. This stele commemorates the dedication of a monument to the sun god Amun at Thebes West. Hatshepsut appears in the center, followed by Thutmose III before the sun god (shown on the far left side). On the right is a personification of Thebes, presented as a goddess armed with a bow and arrows.

Stele of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, West Thebes, reign of Hatshepsut (1473-1458 B.C.E.), located at the Vatican Museums

The texts and images dictated the above functions and contained the context in which it was erected and used. The museum's steale collection is a testament to the enduring fascination with one of history's most remarkable civilizations.

Works cited:

Thum, Jen. “Stelae: Ancient Egypt’s Versatile Monumental Form.” ARCE, arce.org/resource/stelae-ancient-egypts-versatile-monumental-form/.

Bertoldi, Susanna. The Vatican Museums. Discover the History, the Works of Art, the Collections. Edizioni Musei Vaticani, 2010.