Icons of Power—A Strategy of Reinterpretation

This book discusses the interaction of icons within narrative military visual tableaus of the Egyptian New Kingdom (Dynasties XVIII- XX). Its aim is to provide a newer method of interpreting the "set pieces." The icons, such as the presence of a tell or mound in one scene as well as the interaction of pharaoh and enemy, are thus given prominence. The author contends that a dramatic sense can be found in the narrative snapshots wherein one segment after the other rises to an intentional climax. Parallels are brought in from Neo-Assyria in order to show a contrast between the Egyptian method of pictorial representation and the later ones from a nearby Ancient Near Eastern culture. Finally, the discussion covers "abbreviated" military scenes, the reasons for not dating those depictions, and the concept of narrative art during the Empire Period. New photographs are given, some in color, as well as detailed line drawings of the scenes themselves. It is hoped that this volume will provide a springboard of further research.