Head of a king as Khepri, possibly Ptolemy VI Philometor

Ptolemaic or Roman Period

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 134

Ptolemy VI Philometor ascended the throne as a child and his mother, Cleopatra I, acted as regent. He married his sister, Cleopatra II, and ruled jointly with her.

A scarab beetle designating the god Khepri is carved in relief on top of this royal head, which belongs stylistically to the Ptolemaic Period. The representation of the pharaoh as Khepri, a creative god, has a long history, although it has been suggested the representation here is tied more specificially to the Ptolemy VI, one of whose names refers to Ptah-Khepri.

Head of a king as Khepri, possibly Ptolemy VI Philometor, Limestone, paint traces

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