Egyptian Clay Model of Cattle
This clay model of cattle (3500 BC, 3.2in x 9.5in x 6.0in) was found buried in a grave located in Abydos, Egypt along with a male body and the leg bones of a small animal amongst other trinkets. The item was hand molded from a single lump of Nile river clay; it bears traces of black and white paint. Although this common grave good merely depicts four feeding African cows (now extinct); it, as MacGregor states, “gives us some idea not just of what people did but what they thought and believed.” Models portraying cows were found in numerous gravesites; this coupled with the fact that Egyptians prepared themselves for the death by equipping themselves with items that would aid them in the afterlife suggests that cows were a major part of Egyptian life. The Egyptians made use of their cattle in a variety of methods:
- They were tapped for blood, providing our ancestors with a source of protein.
- Cows were used as a means to transport goods during a journey.
- In the event of crops being damaged the community had their cattle as a last source of nourishment.
- They had an important religious significance and resembled power to the ancient Egyptians; kings would be given the title of ‘Bull of his Mother’ and the cow was known as the ‘creator of the pharaohs’.
In a historical stand point these cows represent the beginning of civilization as they were the first animals to be domesticated.
Head of Augustus
Caesar Augustus got his start in Roman politics at the age of 19 when he inherited his great-uncle’s (Julius Caesar) fortune and power in 44BC. His defeat of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra in 31BC is considered his key political moment as this allowed him to take over Egypt.
Once he was given the title of ‘Augustus’ in 27BC his image was altered from his statues that had portrayed him as Octavian. MacGregor notes that Augustus has an “image that has been carefully constructed”. The detailed swallowtail bangs gives a sense of youth and high fashion, his stature evokes the values of ancient Greece and the ideal body emanating authority, strength and raw power. Described as “dramatic and piercing” the eyes of the statue avoid the viewer suggesting that they are not important enough to be acknowledged by Augustus. One interesting thing to note is that although he lived to be 76 years old his portraiture shows no sign of aging; this is odd because Romans were known for their accuracy and realism when it came their art. He had made his image an icon of power MacGregor suggests that the oversized head gives the message “I am great, I am your leader, and I stand far above everyday politics”.
This particular head was part of a full body statue placed on the border of modern Egypt and Sudan; it was taken by the invading army from Merö lead by Queen Candace. She later decapitated the statue and buried the head under the steps of a temple dedicated to victory. The fate of this particular statue was far from what Augustus had intended it to represent as the symbol of his power was walked on by countless people.
