Sohag

Main article: Egypt

Cities

Cheni (Tinis) - the homeland of the rulers of the first dynasties of Ancient Egypt

According to Manetho, the reign of the 1st - 2nd dynasty (c. XXXI - XXVII centuries BC) in ancient Egypt was associated with the city of Cheni (Tinis), located on the western bank of the Nile. An ancient historian points out that Tinis was the seat of these dynasties for more than 400 years, and this time is called by him the "Tinis (Tinitic) period." Modern research suggests that these semi-legendary dynasties could only come from Tinis, and the rule of the country was carried out from Inbu Hedge (Memphis). It is also likely that the movement of the center of power from Tinis to the north to Memphis took place gradually, and by the period of the III dynasty, Tinis had lost its previous political significance.

The alleged location of Tinis by researchers is determined in the vicinity of the modern city of Girga, a few kilometers north of the pre-dynastic and early dynastic burials of another important center of the nome Ta-ur and the entire Ancient Egypt - Abju (Abydos).

The god of Tinis was Inhar (Greek form - Onuris), and his wife was the lion-like goddess Mehit.

Abju (Abydos)

3200 BC: Abju is subjugated by Nehen and a significant part of Egypt. Strong influence of Mesopotamia

Some authors suggest that the reliefs of the so-called knife from Gebel-el-Arak depict a battle between warriors from the cities of Abju (Greek Abydos) and Nehen (Hierakonpol), the two main rival Egyptian cities of that period. It is believed that the winner was Abydos, who united a significant part of Egypt under his rule during the period of Nakad III.

Knife from Gebel-el-Arak, Louvre

One of the most intriguing details of the knife is the "atypical" scenes for Egypt - the "hero with lions" is more of a pre-Asian than an Egyptian motif. Moreover, a man is dressed not as an Egyptian, but rather as a Mesopotamian of those times (a hat and a long one, similar to a robe, a robe).

Much controversy has arisen in this context and battle scenes on the other side of the hilt. Historians who attributed non-native origins to Egyptian civilization (the arrival of the so-called "dynastic race" that subjugated the Nile Valley and created the civilization of the pharaohs) used the knife as proof of their theory.

The action figures are armed with flint knives, batons, as well as pear-shaped clubs, which are considered an innovation that also came from Mesopotamia and replaced the original Egyptian club in the form of a disc. The Mesopotamian mace was much heavier, with a wider impact surface and could deliver much more destructive blows.

Egyptian disc-shaped mace, 4000-3400 BC

The shape of the rooks on the handle of the knife also spoke in favor of the Mesopotamian version, and the battle scenes were interpreted as a display of the bloody conquest. On this point of view, in particular, stood the famous British Egyptologist Walter Brian Emery. Over time, the theory of the coming of the "dynastic race" became less popular.

Scientific analysis of ancient wine jars in Abju showed that during this period there was an active trade in wine with the Levant and Mesopotamia.

It is believed that the main period of cultural influence, in particular the transfer of Mesopotamian images, symbols and technologies to Egypt, lasted about 250 years, from Necada II to Dynasty I.

"Fortresses of the Gods" from the first dynasties

In Abju, a number of walled sites located about 1.6 km from the tombs of 1st Dynasty kings seem to be structures with sacred functions relating to Egyptian gods. David O'Connor linked these structures to the "fortresses of the gods" mentioned in early ancient Egyptian inscriptions.

The fences of the 2nd dynasty in Abydos probably imitated in brick architecture the wooden and reed structures of some of the earliest cult complexes in Egypt. At the top left is the King Hasehemuya burial complex, whose great ruins are known as Shunet el-Zebib

It seems that these were the places of ceremonial meetings of the Egyptian gods, known as the Shemsu choir, "companions of the Choir," who were associated with the king as the embodiment of the falcon god Choir, probably considered the same deity who was worshipped in Nehen. According to the reconstruction of O'Connor and others, during the early dynastic period, the cult gods of various regions made symbolic journeys to the "fortresses of the gods" to celebrate important ritual events. The gathering of gods behind these fences may have been associated with the annual collection of taxes, but may have been a symbol of royal or religious authority, or both.

At least ten of these fences of varying degrees of completeness were discovered in Abju. They belonged to the first and second dynasties, and to the period called dynasty 0.

Consisting of large rectangular brick walls measuring approximately 65 x 122 m with two still standing over 10 m high, the fences are fitted with niches on three of their four sides and decorated with more elaborate panels to the east. This style of construction was called the "palace facade," because it is generally accepted that the buildings imitated the walls of the palace of a living king.

The open courtyards behind these enclosures may have contained a sacred hill similar to that found in the HK29a sanctuary at Nehen, as well as other later temples and shrines. This hill is of particular importance, as it could be seen as a symbol of the original hill of creation in Egyptian mythology, from where it was claimed that the original falcon god observed the world from his place or from his standard.

The "followers" or "companions" of the Choir also played an important role in conducting the regenerative festival of Sed and ancient rituals, including the periodic placement of the king on the throne of Upper and Lower Egypt. This festival was to be held 30 years after the accession to the throne of the king and most likely took place in the courtyard of the "fortress of the gods." Since the ceremonies could renew the king's power in this life and the next, they were assimilated into the funerary complexes of the rulers of the Old Kingdom, which can be seen in the famous courtyards of the Sed festival and the shrines of the Step Pyramid of Joser in Saqqara (see History of Ancient Egypt).

Cult of Osiris

Main article: Osiris and Isis

In Abju (Abydos) from ancient times, the god of the necropolis and the dead was Hentimentiu, later supplanted by Osiris. The latter became the main god in Abju. Since the era of the Middle Kingdom, priests of the Osiris mystery have played out here.

The action takes place on the banks of the Nile, below Abju, which is seen in the background. Funeral processions are moving along the river. Barks with sails are pulled by people walking along the shore. The dead are transported on the decks of ships. Nearby, farmers cultivate fields. Reconstruction of Jean-Claude Golvin

Tombs of various shapes are located along the road leading to the monumental gate of the fortified structure, which is visible in the background. It is the temple of Osiris. Reconstruction of Jean-Claude Golvin

The drawing shows the plan and facade of the Garrison in Abju. The cenotaph is underground. The central part of the room is raised. The entrance is carried out along two stairs framed by columns. Around the moat there are several quadrangular niches. Reconstruction of Jean-Claude Golvin

In Abju, the burials of the pharaohs of the first two dynasties were discovered, and during the KhІKh dynasty, the pharaohs Ramses І, Ramses ІІ and Seti І erected their funeral temples here.

Ramesses II Temple in Abju. Jean-Claude Golvin is an architect, archaeologist and researcher. For many years, he recreated the appearance of the city buildings of the Ancient World. Jean-Claude has created more than 800 drawings of cities, ancient and medieval monuments to date. From 1992 to 2008, he was Director of Research at CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research)

In the best of them, the temple of the І Network, there are seven branches: one of them is dedicated to the deceased pharaoh, the other to the god Pta, the third to the god Harahti, the fourth Amon and the remaining three to Osiris, Isis and Horus.

Temple of Seti I in Abju. Renovation: Jean-Claude Golvin

Information about the ritual of daily worship in Egyptian temples is contained in some papyri, mainly in the Berlin N3055 papyrus, in the texts of the Abydos temple and in other later texts starting from the New Kingdom era, but something undoubtedly dates back to the time of the Old Kingdom, which is proved by the "Texts of the pyramids."

At daily services in churches, the people were not present. The service took place inside the temple, and its participants were only priests. The image of the deity that served as the subject of the cult, the very one that the Egyptians believed the invisible god had entered, was kept in the naos, a small stone structure with wooden doors that were sealed. The priest approached the naos, removed the seal and discovered the deity itself under the shimmering light of candles (while bright sunlight shone from the outside). The approach to the naos and its discovery were already part of the cult and were performed according to the rules strictly defined by ritual.

Then the deity's morning toilet followed - he was changed by robes (the robes were of the best, thin fabrics), he was washed away, extended in front of him, symbolically fed with sacrificial gifts, allowed to drink and, finally, brought a figurine of the goddess Maat, personifying the rule of law established by the gods on earth and in the universe. The offering of Maat symbolized that priests who performed worship on behalf of and on behalf of Pharaoh himself, support the divine institutions existing in the world.

Then the naos was sealed again. God's food was carried away, and it was consumed by priests. This was the essence of daily worship. In addition to the morning service, there was also a noon and evening service.

Ahmim (Panopolis)

In the city of Ahmim, which the ancient Greeks called Panopolis, from ancient times there was a cult of the itifallic god Mina.

History

Main article: Dodinastic Egypt

35 thousand hp: Remains in Nazlet Khater

The remains of a young man, 35 thousand years old, were discovered near the village of Nazlet Khater in Sohag province. The condition of the spine indicates that he tolerated severity. Stone tools were laid in the burial with the deceased.