10. Agyptologische Tempeltagung: Agyptische Tempel zwischen Normierung und Individualitat.

• Author: Eaton, Katherine

10. Agyptologische Tempeltagung: Agyptische Tempel zwischen Normierung und Individualitat. Edited by MARTINA ULLMANN. Konigtum, Staat und Gesellschaft Friiher Hochkulturen, vol. 3.5. Wiesbaden: HARRASSOWITZ VERLAG, 2016. Pp. xiii + 194, illus. [euro]48 (paper).

This multifaceted volume focuses on the emergence, development, and application of norms in ancient Egyptian temple programs and was inspired by ancient Egyptian temple programs in the areas of architecture, images, ritual performance, landscape, cult, and private devotion. There is strong focus on the Greco-Roman period, with five of the eleven articles devoted to that era. These are also the contributions that deal most innovatively with the topic at hand.

Silke CaBor-Pfeiffer, in "Ausnahmen von der Norm Oder normierte Ausnahmen? Abweichende Beziige der Randzeilen in den Tempeln der griechisch-romischen Zeit" (pp. 49-70), explores some unusual compositions in the Temple of Isis at Philae. She divides the exceptions which form the core of her question into two categories: The first group is ritual-related or thematic exceptions. These relate to exceptions within a single scene. At first glance, these look like typical scenes in which a ritualist performs before two deities. However, CaBor-Pfeiffer argues that the central figure is the focus of cult, and that the second deity is, in fact, playing a role as ritualist. She analyses two, quite different examples, both from the Temple of Isis at Philae. Briefly, an enthroned Thoth lifts his hands in adoration before Isis, behind whom Geb lifts one hand, ritually framing the goddess. The king offers milk before Osiris. Isis stands behind, with one hand raised with a speech that indicates she is supporting the milk offering to Geb.

The second group encompases exceptions due to architectural context. CaBor-Pfeiffer examines the west door of the first pylon, south side, arguing that unusual features of its composition were meant to refer to the entrance to the Mammisi and to underscore the role of the goddess Hathor in that context. She concludes that non-normative assignment of the fringes was meant to emphasize certain elements of the scene for internal (content) or external (context) reasons.

In "Wem gehoren die Gotter? Die Verwurzelung agyptischer Kulte zwischen mythischer Norm und lokaler Exegese" (pp. 81-97), Holger Kockelmann explores mythical norms and local interpretations for the siting of temples, shrines, and the like, asking...