Thesis Chapters by Nourhan Adel Ahmed Mohamed
A thesis submitted to Alexandria Center for Hellenistic studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts and Archaeology, 2020
This thesis seeks to give a complete idea about the cult of Sobek during the Hellenistic and Roma... more This thesis seeks to give a complete idea about the cult of Sobek during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, inside and outside Egypt. The researcher analyzed and compared the archaeological remains and interpreted it to be able to approach the position of the crocodile god in the Greco-Roman world, and the way this cult evolved from the Pharaonic era and through the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Furthermore, a detailed information was given about the way Egyptians treated the sacred crocodile and how did it affect the way they built their temples which appeared in the Fayoum and Kom Ombo as the main cult centers of Sobek. Sobek’s temples in the Fayoum and Kom Ombo were analyzed from the architectural and the archaeological point of view, in addition to other cult centers and crocodile cemeteries which appeared all over the Egyptian provinces. All these evidences were compared to find out the main features and characteristics among Sobek's temples and the difference between cult centers inside Egypt. As a matter of fact, the researcher went to many field excavations inside Egypt such as the Fayoum and Kom Ombo to be able to give the conclusive information, besides providing the images due to its scarcity in the references. Moreover, this thesis discussed the importance of Sobek’s cult which manifested not only in Egypt but in the Hellenistic and Roman world, as well the contexts of the existence of the crocodile god were approached and analyzed.
Conference Presentations by Nourhan Adel Ahmed Mohamed
The 10th European Conference of Egyptologists, Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, 2023
During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the world witnessed a massive interaction phenomenon, d... more During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the world witnessed a massive interaction phenomenon, due to the political events which led to the connection of a great part of the world together. Egypt had a great influence on the ancient world through its unique culture, its influence appeared as early as the Bronze Age, while it reached its peak during the Hellenistic and Roman eras. One of the most important and exotic aspects that witnessed great popularity in the Hellenistic and Roman world is animal veneration, although the presence of animal cults outside Egypt was not popular in the Greco-Roman thinking and religious perspectives. The Hellenistic and Roman worlds fantasized about Egyptian’s way of treating venerated animals, especially the Nile crocodile which witnessed great popularity in foreign lands, especially through the Roman empire. As a matter of fact, the existence of the Nile crocodile was not limited to the Egyptian land, its presence was attested outside Egypt since the earliest ages in Greece, Near East, and Nubia. While the presence of the Nile crocodile evolved and crystallized during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, as its existence took many forms, aspects, and perspectives. Some were connected to political events, others included the Nile crocodile in their artistic perspective as an imitation of the Egyptian daily life, cult, and rituals, while other evidence proved the presence of a possible cult dedicated to Sobek outside Egypt among the religious contexts. Hence, the current paper aims to discuss the attitude towards animals in the ancient Greco-Roman world, especially from a philosophical perspective. As well, the Aegyptica phenomena regarding the presence of the Nile crocodile outside Egypt and the acceptance of such creatures in the Hellenistic and Roman world will be high lightened.
The 10th International Conference (Archaeology and Heritage of Towns and Villages of Upper Egypt), Center of Papyriological Studies and Inscreptions, Faculty of Archaeology, Ain Shams University, 2023
Crocodylus Niloticus is a specie of crocodile that lived in the Nile River, its existence is well... more Crocodylus Niloticus is a specie of crocodile that lived in the Nile River, its existence is well attested in the Egyptian landscape, as it is known as one of the largest, most vicious reptiles in the world. Such fearful creatures affected the daily life activities of Ancient Egyptians, especially travelers, fishermen, hunters, and papyri collectors. This postured the rapacious reptile as a symbol of death and destruction. Otherwise, crocodile symbolism in Egyptian religion was not limited to the dangerous characteristics, but it was known as well for other benign attributes. Crocodiles became a symbol of the coming of inundation, and a symbol of resurrection, regeneration, and rebirth. Furthermore, crocodiles were the symbol of protection and justice. The powers and abilities of this creature, regardless of the motive of fear of its vicious characteristics, both contributed to creating a new cult dedicated to the crocodile god under the name of Sobek. In the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, Sobek was profoundly connected to the cultic aspect of several villages in Upper Egypt. As a matter of fact, the temple of Kom Ombo was considered one of the main cult centers for Sobek, as well as several other cult centers dedicated to the crocodile god in Upper Egypt. This research aims at tracing the archaeological and architectural findings that prove the dominance of the cult of Sobek over the villages of Upper Egypt. As well, the research aims to provide a comparative study of the cult centers dedicated to Sobek in Upper Egypt to illustrate the aspects of interaction and the connection between these villages through geographical and theological aspects.
Graduate Annual Research Discussions on Egypt and Nubia VIII, German Archaeological Institute Cairo (DAI Kairo), 2023
The sacred crocodile “Sobek” gained a political preference since the earliest dynasties until the... more The sacred crocodile “Sobek” gained a political preference since the earliest dynasties until the end of the Roman period, as he represented the legitimacy of royal power in Egypt, as well he was considered the protector of the Egyptian army. In fact, Sobek was believed to be the origin and creator of everything on earth, the one with the power and might which is fearsome for his enemies. Moreover, crocodiles were considered the symbolic element of Egypt. Accordingly, Sobek’s political preference was not limited only to the Egyptian land, otherwise historical incidents proved the significant contribution of the sacred crocodile in Egypt's foreign relations. This paper will focus on investigating the role of Sobek as the protector of lands, army, and royal might in Egypt, as well as tracing the contribution of the sacred crocodile in representing Egypt in the Greco-Roman world.
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Thesis Chapters by Nourhan Adel Ahmed Mohamed
Conference Presentations by Nourhan Adel Ahmed Mohamed