King Menkaure and Queen Kah-merer-nebty II

Fourth Dynasty

King Menkaure' and his queen, from Dynasty IV (c. 2532-2510 B.C.) The kings of ancient Kemet (Egypt) were adopted by the god Amun when they reached throne age, and so as sons of god themselves became divine. However, despite theoretical omnipotence, they were sharply constrained by Maát. The near equality of the female to her male consort is an aspect of African culture.

Triad of King Menkaure (Mycerinus) with goddess Hathor and the deified Hare nome

Egypt (Giza, Valley Temple of Mycerinus), Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, reign of Menkaure, 2532-2510 B.C.

Found in one of the temples dedicated to the cult of Mycerinus, this magnificent sculpture of gray stone demonstrates the close relationship that the Egyptians perceived between their gods and their kings, whom they also believed to be divine. The central figure is the cow-goddess Hathor, identified by the horns surrounding a sun disk on her head. Expressing her devotion to the pharaoh (on her left, wearing the crown of Upper Kemet), Hathor circles his waist with one hand and lightly touches his arm with the other. The third figure personifies a nome, or province, and her symbol, the hare, rises above her head. In her left hand she carries the ankh, symbol of life, as a gift to the king. On the base of the sculpture, an inscription reads: "The Horus (Ka-khet) King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Men-kau-re [Mycerinus], beloved of Hathor, Mistress of the Sycamore. Recitation: I have given you all good things, all offerings, and all provisions in Upper Kemet, forever."